Quick answer
Gresham's Permit Services office issues residential mechanical permits for furnace, heat pump, and air conditioning work, and a contractor's application won't be processed without a valid CCB number. HVAC Repair Guys repairs heating and cooling systems in Gresham. East winds from the Columbia River Gorge can bring ice and strong gusts, so winter prep matters.
Key facts
| County | Multnomah County |
|---|---|
| HVAC permits issued by | City of Gresham Permit Services, 503-618-2845 |
| Electric utility | PGE, per the city's fee page; check your bill |
| Contractor license check (Oregon CCB) | Required on Gresham's mechanical permit form; search it yourself too |
| Incentives to ask about | Energy Trust of Oregon. You may qualify, and we'll confirm. |
| Winter weather | Gorge east winds can bring snow, freezing rain, and strong wind |
Who issues mechanical permits for Gresham homes?
City of Gresham Permit Services, at City Hall, 1333 NW Eastman Parkway. Call 503-618-2845. In-person service runs 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays.
A homeowner, a contractor, or someone representing either can get the permit. When a contractor applies, the form needs the company name and CCB number, and anyone at the company can sign.
Multnomah County sends permit questions to Gresham for homes in the city, in Pleasant Valley, and east of Gresham, except Fairview, Troutdale, and Wood Village.
- The residential form covers a furnace and its add-ons like a cooling coil and air filter, a heat pump condenser, air conditioning, gas piping, and vents.
- A Gresham permit expires if work doesn't start within 180 days of issue, or stops for 180 days. You can ask in writing for one 180-day extension.
- Keep your permit records. The city notes permits give proof of the work to future buyers and lenders.
How do Gorge east winds affect heating in Gresham?
In late fall and winter, cold air can pour west through the Columbia River Gorge. NOAA researchers say this easterly gap flow can bring snow, freezing rain, and strong, damaging winds to the Portland–Vancouver area.
NOAA built a data tool to help National Weather Service forecasters in Portland track these events and guide public warnings. When one is in the forecast, a few steps help.
- Swap a dirty filter and make sure the thermostat responds before the cold arrives.
- Keep snow and ice from piling up around the outdoor heat pump. Don't chip ice off the coil.
- Light frost that melts off during a defrost cycle is normal. A unit that stays wrapped in ice needs a technician.
- If the power goes out, keep portable generators outside. EPA warns CO can build up fast in homes, garages, and crawlspaces and linger after the generator shuts off.
Not sure what's wrong yet?
Start with the safe checks. Many problems are a setting, a breaker, or a filter.
- Repair first: we fix what can be fixed
- You approve the price before work starts
- Sources listed for outside facts
Which utilities and incentives apply in Gresham?
The city's utility license fee page talks about the average PGE customer in Gresham. Your bill shows which electric company serves you.
PGE customers are in Energy Trust of Oregon territory, and so are homes where NW Natural is the gas utility. Ask about Energy Trust when you replace a system. You may qualify, and we'll confirm.
- Energy Trust's gas furnace offer does not cover a furnace used as backup to a heat pump.
- Energy Trust says processing an application can take six to eight weeks.
- The Oregon Department of Energy's Find Your Utility map looks up your address. Its boundaries are approximate, so the utility has the final say.
How do you confirm a Gresham contractor's CCB license?
Gresham's mechanical permit form says a permit won't be processed without a valid CCB number. Run your own check before you sign anything.
- 1Copy the CCB number from the contractor's written estimate.
- 2Search it on the Oregon CCB site. A number search is more exact than a name search.
- 3If the result shows a different business name than your estimate, ask why before work starts.
Gas smell or CO alarm in Gresham: what first?
Treat both as a reason to leave, not a reason to troubleshoot.
- If your CO alarm sounds, get everyone out into fresh air and call 911.
- Treat the alarm as real. You can't see, smell, or taste carbon monoxide.
If you smell gas, go outside right away. Don't use a phone, a light switch, a flashlight, or a car parked nearby. From a safe distance, call 911. If NW Natural is your gas utility, also call 800-882-3377.
What should you have handy when you call from Gresham?
Two quick facts about your home tell us which rules apply.
- Your address. Homes in Gresham, Pleasant Valley, and some areas east of the city go through Gresham for permits. Fairview, Troutdale, and Wood Village don't.
- Whether you own and live in the home. That matters for owner permits and for repair help like Mend-A-Home.
- Your heat source: gas furnace, heat pump, or both.
- Whether the trouble started during a cold east wind or an ice storm.
Common questions
Can a Gresham homeowner get their own mechanical permit?
Yes. The city says an owner who lives in the house may do their own heating and air conditioning work. Permit Services issues permits to homeowners, contractors, and representatives.
How long is a Gresham mechanical permit good for?
It expires if work doesn't begin within 180 days of issue, or pauses for 180 days or more. One 180-day extension can be requested in writing.
Does Gresham issue permits for Pleasant Valley homes?
Yes. Multnomah County sends permit questions for Pleasant Valley, and for areas east of Gresham outside Fairview, Troutdale, and Wood Village, to the City of Gresham.
What is Mend-A-Home in Gresham?
A critical home repair program run by Unlimited Choices, not an equipment rebate. Eligible owners who live in their Gresham home may get a deferred payment loan for repairs, including mechanical systems. Income and asset limits apply. Call (503) 234-6167.
Why do east winds matter for Gresham heat pumps?
Cold Gorge winds can bring snow, freezing rain, and strong gusts. Keep the outdoor unit clear, and call if it stays iced over after a defrost cycle.
Is PGE the electric company in Gresham?
The city's fee page refers to PGE customers in Gresham. Your bill confirms which company serves your address.
Not sure what's wrong yet?
Start with the safe checks. Many problems are a setting, a breaker, or a filter.
- Repair first: we fix what can be fixed
- You approve the price before work starts
- Sources listed for outside facts
Sources
- Service Providers and Regional Land Use Partners — Multnomah County. Checked 2026-09-24.
- Residential Permit Applications — City of Gresham. Checked 2026-09-24.
- Mechanical Permit Application, Residential — City of Gresham. Checked 2026-09-24.
- Building Permit Frequently Asked Questions — City of Gresham. Checked 2026-09-24.
- Building Permits and Inspections — City of Gresham. Checked 2026-09-24.
- Utility License Fees — City of Gresham. Checked 2026-09-24.
- A Real-Time Online Data Product that Automatically Detects Easterly Gap-Flow Events and Precipitation Type in the Columbia River Gorge — NOAA Institutional Repository. Checked 2026-09-24.
- Mend-A-Home — Unlimited Choices. Checked 2026-09-24.
- Find Your Utility — Oregon Department of Energy. Checked 2026-09-24.
- Residential: Heating Solutions — Energy Trust of Oregon. Checked 2026-09-24.
- Contractor license search — Oregon Construction Contractors Board. Checked 2026-09-24.
- Smell natural gas or rotten eggs in your home? Smell. Go. Let us know. — NW Natural. Checked 2026-09-24.
- Carbon Monoxide's Impact on Indoor Air Quality — U.S. EPA. Checked 2026-09-24.
Last updated: · Reviewed by: HVAC Repair Guys