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County advances first reading to allow permitting fees for utilities under SB 1566
Summary
The board approved a first reading to amend county code to implement SB 1566, allowing certain utility permitting fees for right-of-way work with negotiated caps and exemptions; staff said implementation will require permit-software updates and is scheduled for the next fiscal year.
Multnomah County held a first reading on Oct. 17, 2024 to add section 29.503e to the Multnomah County Code, a change intended to implement government-authorized fees under Senate Bill 1566 (2024) for certain utility work in the county right-of-way.
Jessica Barry, deputy director of the Transportation Division, explained the county issued roughly 450 permits annually for right-of-way work, about 350 of which are for utilities. SB 1566 — a legislative priority for multiple counties and the Association of Oregon Counties — allows counties to recover some permitting costs from utilities for certain new construction and limited maintenance categories, subject to negotiated concessions such as a $500 cap per permit, a 15-business-day requirement to determine application completeness, and an initial sunset provision (the work group negotiated a sunset through Jan. 2031).
Barry said exceptions negotiated with utilities exclude routine maintenance, emergency work and certain PUC-required vegetative management; counties will not charge more than cost to issue and the fee structure will be capped and CPI-adjustable within constraints. The ordinance is a first reading; staff said a second reading is scheduled and that technical work — including permitting system updates — will occur over the coming months with implementation next fiscal year.
Commissioners thanked staff for statewide advocacy and asked clarifying questions about sunset timing, outreach to stakeholders and next steps. The board approved the first reading and scheduled a second reading for Oct. 24, 2024.
