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Label:
Service
The Hearings Officer holds public hearings on Type III land use cases and appeals of Type II and Type IIx land use decisions as designated by the Portland Zoning Code (Title 33).
Time varies by case.
Submitting Documents or Viewing the Land Use File
Once the Hearings Office receives the staff report or administrative decision from the Portland Permitting & Development, usually 10 days prior to the scheduled hearing, the Hearings Office will be the main point of contact to submit documents for the case or to view the file. The Hearings Office will continue to be the place to submit documents until the record closes. The Hearings Office will remain the main point of contact to view the file until the Hearings Officer issues their decision or recommendation.
View the documents received by the Hearings Office
All Hearings Office received documents are available in the online case management system. If you want to view the Hearings Office file only, and not submit document(s), you can use the public user logon to view the file:
- Using a computer or other electronic device with internet access go to our online case management portal
User Name: GuestUserPHO
Password: PHguestp$$wd5
The online case management system does not contain Exhibits A through G that were received by the Portland Permitting & Development. To view those exhibits, please contact the Hearings Office Clerks to request a link to any or all of those exhibits.
Submit documents to the Hearings Office
To access the system and submit documents during the open record period, you will need to create a user name and password. Please see these instructions on using the online system and creating a user account:
How to create a new user account
See our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) below for more information.
Portland Permitting & Development
Portland Permitting & Development (PP&D), a separate entity from the Hearings Office, receives the applications for land use reviews. PP&D planners make Administrative Decisions on Type II or Type IIx applications (which can then be heard on appeal by the Hearings Officer). For Type III applications, the PP&D planner makes a recommendation to the Hearings Officer and also provides an overview of the case and approval criteria at the public hearing.
For more information on PP&D land use, please visit their webpage.
City Code Regulations
All land use reviews must meet the relevant approval criteria. Title 33 outlines the criteria for each land use application type.
Administrative Rules
These are the administrative procedures that the Hearings Office follows for land use reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Land Use Hearings
How do I submit written testimony?
The Hearings Office online case management system is the best way to submit written testimony. Please see our user guide for information on how to create a user name and password, as well as how to be added to a land use case in order to submit written testimony and receive a copy of the Hearings Officer's decision. This option also allows you to see all other written testimony that the Hearings Office has received. Please note that exhibits received by the Bureau of Development Services (Exhibits A through G) are not available in this online system. Please contact the Hearings Office Clerks at HearingsOfficeClerks@portlandoregon.gov to receive a link to view the A through G exhibits.
Written testimony can also be emailed to HearingsOfficeClerks@portlandoregon.gov, faxed (503-823-4347), or mailed (Hearings Office, 1900 SW 4th Avenue, Room 3100, Portland, OR 97201). Please include the case number on all submissions so we can make sure it is included with the correct file.
All documents must be received in the Hearings Office before the record closes, which may be at the end of the hearing or may occur later, depending on the case.
Note: DO NOT submit documents to the Bureau of Development Services (BDS) planner and expect the Hearings Office to receive it timely. BDS is a separate entity from the Hearings Office.
How do I view the documents in the land use file?
All documents received by the Hearings Office will be available for viewing in the online case management system. Please see the user guide for directions on how to create a user name and password. Once you have completed the steps to create and verify your account, you will be able to view all of the land use cases that the Hearings Office has.
Please note that the exhibits received by the Bureau of Development Services (Exhibits A through G) are not available in the online case management system. To view the A through G exhibits, please contact the Hearings Office Clerks at HearingsOfficeClerks@portlandoregon.gov to receive a link to those exhibits.
If you do not have online access, you may make a written request for a hard copy of any exhibit to be mailed to you.
How do I testify at the hearing?
For most land use cases, you simply attend the hearing. There is no need to sign up in advance.
However, in some cases, the Hearings Officer may provide a sign-up sheet at the hearing to testify. In those instances, there will be separate sign-up sheets, one for "In Favor Of," one for "In Opposition To," and one for people who don't wish to testify but would like to receive a copy of the Hearings Officer's decision.
The Hearings Officer will ask if anyone wishes to testify in favor of the application. At that time, the Hearings Officer will call on attendees individually to provide their testimony.
After all people who wish to testify in favor of the application have testified, the Hearings Officer will ask if anyone wishes to testify in opposition to the application. At that time, the Hearings Officer will call on attendees individually to provide their testimony.
Is there a time limit on testimony?
Generally, the Hearings Officer does not place a time limit on testimony. Testimony must be relevant to the approval criteria for the application.
If the Hearings Officer decides to impose time limits on testimony, the Hearings Officer will announce the time limits for individual testimony during the opening of the hearing.
Can I submit a document after the hearing?
All documents must be received in the Hearings Office before the record closes. If the record is held open, documents can be submitted to the Hearings Office (and must be received) by the date and time that the record closes.
How can I reschedule the hearing?
Due to land use time constraints imposed by Oregon Revised Statutes, only the applicant can request that the hearing be rescheduled. However, at the hearing, or in writing prior to the hearing, anyone can request that the record by held open or for a continuance of the hearing.
How do I receive a copy of the Hearings Officer's decision?
Anyone who provides oral or written testimony will receive a copy of the Hearings Officer's decision. Please provide your email or postal mailing address with all testimony.
If you do not wish to provide testimony but want to receive a copy of the Hearings Officer's decision, you can enter your contact information in the "Other Notice" section of the online case management system. See the user guide on how to set up an initial user name and password to access the system and the land use case.
If you have difficulty entering your information in the online case management system or other issues, you can email the Hearings Office Clerks at HearingsOfficeClerks@portlandor… with your name and email or postal mailing address to be added to the mailing list. We need to receive your request prior to the decision being mailed.
When will I receive a copy of the Hearings Officer's decision?
For Type III cases and Type II cases, the Hearings Officer has 17 days after the record closes to issue a decision.
For Type IIx cases, the Hearings Officer has 14 days after the record closes to issue a decision.
For comprehensive plan zone changes, the Hearings Officer has 30 days to issue a recommendation to City Council. City Council will then hold a public hearing and make a decision.
The Hearings Officer's decision or recommendation will be mailed or emailed to the address provided.