Learn about City government

Mayor-Council form of government

The City of Portland, Oregon was issued a territorial charter in 1851, incorporating 2.1 square miles of forest, stumps and houses. Portland operated under a commission form of government from 1913 to 2024. In November 2022, Portland voters approved amendments to the City Charter initiating the transition to a Mayor-Council form of government effective January 1, 2025. Under Portland's Mayor-Council form of government, the Council performs legislative and quasi-judicial functions while the Mayor oversees City services with an appointed City Administrator. The Auditor is charged with certain responsibilities and roles outlined in City Charter and Code.

City elections

The Mayor and the Auditor are elected at large while three City Councilors are elected from each of four geographical districts. All elected officials are elected as non-partisan candidates. At the November 2024 election, the Mayor and all Councilors from Districts 1 and 2 were elected for four-year terms. At the same election, the Auditor and all Councilors from Districts 3 and 4 were elected for a term of two years. At subsequent elections, those elected hold office for four years. The staggered election schedule avoids a complete change of elected officials in any one year, except under unusual circumstances. City and State law give Portland citizens the ability to initiate legislation through the initiative petition process. Contact the City Elections Office with questions about City elections at elections@portlandoregon.gov.

Council meetings

City Council holds regular weekly meetings to conduct the City's legislative business on the first Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. and the third Wednesday at 6:00 p.m. of each month. If there is sufficient business, additional meetings are held Wednesday and Thursday at 2:00 p.m. City Council also meets as needed for work sessions, executive sessions, and other notable meetings where information is presented to and discussed by Council, but no legislative action is taken. See the Upcoming agenda items, meetings, and work sessions webpage for more information.

Council agenda

The Council agenda, which lists all items to be considered by the Council at each regular meeting, is available to the public by 9:00 a.m. on the Friday before the scheduled meeting. The agenda is posted on the Council Clerk website. Any Councilor, a committee of the Council, the Mayor, or the Auditor may submit an item for the agenda. See ARA-7.01 - Council Procedures and Drafting Manual for more information about filing procedures and requirements. 

Types of agenda items

• Ordinances – Ordinances are formal documents which carry the binding force of law and are passed by the Council in accordance with rules set forth in the City Charter. Two kinds of ordinances, emergency and non-emergency, appear on the agenda:
   
  • Emergency ordinances have one reading and are effective immediately upon passage by Council, unless a different date is stated in the directives. At least nine affirmative votes are required to pass an emergency ordinance. 
     
  • Non-emergency ordinances must be read on two separate occasions and become effective 30 days after final passage by Council, unless the ordinance sets a later date in the directives. At least seven affirmative votes are required to pass a non-emergency ordinance.
     
• Resolutions – Council adopts resolutions to express its official position or policy on certain matters and to refer matters to the voters. Resolutions do not have the force of law. Resolutions have one reading and are effective immediately upon adoption unless a different date is stated in the Resolved Section. Seven affirmative votes are required to adopt a resolution.
   
• Reports – A report is a formal communication to the Council. Reports are used to make recommendations, present program updates, and make appointments to boards or commissions. Reports are effective immediately upon acceptance by Council. At least seven affirmative votes are required if acceptance of a report is requested. No vote is required on informative reports that request no Council action. 

Sections of the agenda

1. Agenda Approval
   • The affirmative vote of a majority of Councilors is required to approve the agenda, reorder items, or add an item to the next meeting’s agenda.
      
2. Public Communications
   • Public communications allow community members to address Council about a topic of their choosing for three minutes. There are five communication spots available at the first Wednesday meeting at 9:30 a.m. and the third Wednesday meeting at 6:00 p.m. of each month. Communications must be reserved in advance.
      
3. Time Certain Items
   • High interest items may be designated as time certain items and will be heard as close to the requested start time as possible. Land use decisions or other land use matters that require a hearing under Charter or state law must be time certain items. View upcoming time certain items.
       
4. Consent Agenda
   • To expedite Council business, routine items are placed on the consent agenda, which is passed without discussion and with a single, unanimous vote of approval by at least nine Councilors. An item may be removed from the consent agenda by any person for discussion, to introduce an amendment, or to refer the item. Any item may be placed on the consent agenda except land use appeals, land use matters requiring a hearing, and increases in budget appropriations.
      
5. Regular Agenda
   • Items on the regular agenda are read and voted on individually. Regular agenda items may include a staff presentation, public testimony, and Council discussion.
      
6. Nine-Twelfths Agenda
   • Items that miss the filing deadline may be submitted for the nine-twelfths agenda by noon on the Tuesday before the meeting. At least nine Councilors who will be present when the item is considered must approve the item.
      
7. Suspension of Rules
   • Council may only consider items not on the agenda if at least nine Councilors vote to suspend the rules. Council may not suspend a rule in Charter.