FAQ - Safety & Compliance

• How long have events been taking place at The Warehouse?

  • Events have been held at The North Warehouse long before us

  • In March 2020, the Governor shut down all gatherings due the COVID pandemic

  • We were able to open with limited capacity in June 2021, using special events permits

• How is TNW zoned to operate as a venue?

  • Currently categorized as non-assembly, The Warehouse operates using temporary Special Event Permits issued by Portland Fire & Rescue.

• What is a non-assembly space and what does zoning have to do with it?

  • Buildings that do not have an assembly designation by the Bureau of Development Services (BDS) can host events using special event permits

  • Approval as a full-assembly space would mean special events permits are no longer needed

  • Many types of building can be approved as an assembly space, including offices, industrial buildings (us), commercial buildings, etc. General Industrial 1 (IG1) is the Zoning for industrial buildings like us. Zoning Information

  • To obtain City approval as an assembly space requires many things

  • We have been working with BDS on this process for quite some time

  • Other known concert venues in Portland have full assembly status and are allowed to be open 365 days a year without additional permitting unless there is a change of floor plan

• What is the Special Event Permit process?

  • The Special Event Permit process was created by Portland Fire & Rescue incoordination with Bureau of Development Services (BDS)

  • The program was created to allow non-assembly spaces the ability to hold events such as concerts, trade shows, and banquets.

• How is operating under the Special Event Permit process different?

  • Non-assembly buildings that pass inspection are eligible to receive 24 total permits in a calendar year or two permits per month

  • Each permit allows for 4 days of activity under a temporary occupancy rating provided by Portland Fire & Rescue, totaling 96 available days

  • When applying for a Special Event Permit, applicants must answer questions regarding the space and the event.

  • A floor plan of the event must be attached with each permit and changes to the floor plan may result in a reduced temporary occupancy

  • Portland Fire & Rescue inspectors generally visit the event whenever a permit has been issued

  • Permits must be submitted 21 days prior to the event.

  • We have applied for and received permits for all our concerts to date

• Are sprinklers the issue?

  • Operating under the special event permits, we are not required to have a sprinkler system.

  • We intend to install a sprinkler system as part of the full-assembly status application

• Has The Warehouse been over capacity?

  • Since our first show in June of 2021, we have been open 113 days.

  • We have received two capacity violations.

  • Capacity violation #1: Gorgon City 2/19/22

  • Capacity violation #2: TroyBoi 12/15/23

  • 92 well-attended events between violations

  • Portland Fire & Rescue has been present and inspected the majority of our events

  • We have never been cited for failing to have a sprinkler system

• Exiting the building in an emergency

  • The North Warehouse and East Annex properties have a total of 10 exits.

  • Two 16’ wide garage doors and two push bar enabled doors exit patrons safely on to N Tillamook street at the South of the building.

  • Located West of the main hall, double doors exit patrons safely to a gravel lot

  • Two 25’ gates are located on the South and NW ends of the property.

  • On the North end of the property, push bar enabled exits are located in each space.

  • Each exit is enabled with proper exit signage and staffed by a member of our team for assistance in case of an emergency.

  • Our venue is on street level without flights of stairs and elevators which also makes it ADA accessible.

  • We have Harm Reduction and DPSST certified security at every event to ensure our space is safe from all aspects

  • 15 DPSST Security

  • 2-3 Harm Reduction staff managed by a CADC 1 (Drug and Alcohol Counselor)

• What about the building permits & unpermitted work?

  • The Warehouse was built in 1924, and has had many different tenants

  • Over the last century building codes have changed and previously performed work on the building must be brought up to code

  • In regards to the WW article discussing a “doorway connecting our two buildings” we had removed plywood to create an opening between the main hall and the annex (Portal) to allow flow between the spaces. We were subsequently notified that this was not allowed by square footage code, and submitted a permit and closed the opening.

• What have been our challenges and where do we go from here?

  • We are currently closed for business pending approval of reinstatement of our filed and paid for fire permits on upcoming announced and ticketed events

  • We are actively exploring options for our upcoming events and if we cannot hold the events at the warehouse, we will reschedule, change venues, and or refund ticket holders. We understand that this is a very difficult situation for everyone, and promise that we’re working nonstop on options and will notify the public as soon as we have solutions.