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Changes to credit and debit card processing fees

Starting June 3, 2025, customers who use a credit or debit card to pay their sewer, stormwater, and water bill will pay a 2.95% processing fee. To avoid this fee, customers can make an electronic payment directly from their bank account. Learn more.

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Portland is a Sanctuary City

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Services, Guides, and Information

28 services and resources found

Free 15-minute appointments for permit, code, and zoning questions

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Service
Get a free 15-minute appointment to help plan your project. Learn about building codes, zoning rules, and permit requirements before you apply. Meet with staff online, by phone, or in person. Bring your design ideas and property research.

About the Big Pipe Project

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Spanning 20 years at a ratepayer investment of $1.4 billion, the Big Pipe Project has reduced combined sewer overflows to the Willamette River by 94 percent and to the Columbia Slough by 99 percent. With most overflows eliminated, the Willamette is cleaner than it’s been in decades.

Accepting a Private Sewer in the Right-of-Way

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The City of Portland code requires individual properties to have direct and independent connections to the public sewer. However, the City may accept or adopt a private sewer line in the right-of-way serving residential properties under certain conditions.

Apply for a Sewer Connection or Conversion Loan

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Apply for a loan from Environmental Services to finance system sewer conversion charges. Loans can also cover the cost of paying a qualified contractor to connect a building or manufactured home to the public sewer system or replace a nonconforming sewer connection.

Apply for a UC Permit for Lateral Connections to the Public Sewer System

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Apply for and receive your UC Permit by email. Environmental Services issues UC Permits that are required for private lateral connections to public sewer laterals or mains. See the Guide to UR and UC Permits for more details.

Apply for a UR Permit for Lateral Repair in Right-of-Way or Public Easement

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Apply for and receive a UR Permit by email. Environmental Services issues UR Permits for lateral repairs in the right-of-way (ROW), typically from property line to curb. See the Guide to UR and UC Permits for more details. Development Services issues permits for private property sewer work.

Apply for Accepting a Private Sewer in the Right-of-Way

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The City may accept a private sewer line in the right-of-way serving residential properties under certain conditions. To request that the City of Portland consider accepting your private sewer line in the public right-of-way, follow the steps on this page.

Connecting to the Portland Sewer from Outside the City

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Environmental Services provides sewer service within the City of Portland. Properties outside the City of Portland limits may qualify for City sewer services if they are within the Portland Urban Services Boundary (USB). This page provides guidance on connecting to the sewer from outside the City.

Contact Managers and Supervisors at Portland Permitting & Development

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This page lists phone numbers for development managers and supervisors at Contact Managers and Supervisors

Converting Septic Systems to Sewer Connections

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Most developed properties in Portland are connected to the public sewer system, but some properties still use private septic systems. Learn more about when septic systems are allowed and when properties on septic might be required to connect to the City sewer.

Enroll in the Submeter Program

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To be eligible to participate in the Environmental Services Submeter Program a business must submit a completed application.

Environmental Services Construction Products List

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In addition to Portland's bureaus of Transportation and Water, Environmental Services maintains a list of approved, commonly-used construction products for use within the public right-of-way. Find the current list and learn more about the construction product approval process.

Financial Assistance for Sewer Connection and Conversion

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Environmental Service offers loans to property owners to finance system development and sewer connection charges, as well as the cost of hiring a qualified contractor to connect a building, motor home, or recreational vehicle to the City sewer or replace a nonconforming sewer.

Guidance for property owners when hiring a sewer contractor to scope a suspected nonconforming sewer

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Hiring a licensed sewer contractor to scope and locate your private sewer lateral is one of the best ways to find out if your property has a nonconforming sewer connection. Find guidance on what to expect.

Guide to the Submeter Program

Guide
The Submeter Program is for business customers who discharge a volume of water to the sewer significantly more or less than the incoming water. Customers install submeters on their business’ internal plumbing to accurately measure and bill for water that is discharged to the sewer.

Guide to UR and UC Permits – Lateral Repairs and Connections to Public Sewers

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When you repair a sewer lateral or need a new connection to the public sewer system either in the right-of-way or in a public easement, a permit is needed. For sewer contractors and property owners. Get information about Utility Repair (UR) and Utility Connection (UC) permits.

Installing Your Private Sewer Line

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When you receive notice that sewer is available in your area or that you have a nonconforming sewer, you may be required to connect to the sewer branch at your property line or install a sewer lateral from your property to the public sewer. This page has resources to help you through that process.

Manufacturing Standards for Precast Concrete Products

Manual
The Bureau of Environmental Services maintains the Manufacturing Standards for Precast Concrete Products manual. The manual covers the requirements for the manufacture of precast concrete pipe, maintenance holes, and inlets for use in City of Portland infrastructure projects.

Middle Housing Land Division Sewer Service Requirements

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This page details the sanitary sewer service options that are available to builders and developers who are considering Middle Housing Land Division (MHLD) projects in Portland.

Nonconforming Sewers

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The City of Portland code requires individual properties to have direct and independent connections to the public sewer. Typically, a nonconforming sewer property does not have a separate lateral connection to the City's sewer, or the property's lateral crosses another property's lot.

Public Sewer Easements

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A public sewer easement grants the City rights to construct, maintain, and access public sewer or storm assets located on private property while allowing and restricting certain activities. The City reviews easement encroachments and quitclaims to ensure they don't interfere with the City's rights.

Sanitary Sewer and Stormwater Rates and Charges

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Environmental Services delivers sanitary sewer and stormwater services to Portland residents and businesses. Rates and charges are based on the cost of providing services. Learn more about our rates and charges on this page.

Sewer and Drainage Facilities Design Manual

Manual
The Sewer and Drainage Facilities Design Manual is maintained by the Bureau of Environmental Services and provides information for City staff, consultants, contractors, designers, and others who plan, design, construct, review, and approve sewer and drainage facilities for the City of Portland.

Sewer Contractors List

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The Sewer Contractors List includes licensed contractors who may provide sewer connection services in the Portland area.

Sewer Video, Photo, and Map Guidelines

Information
A sewer inspection of your private sewer lateral is one of the best ways to determine if your property has a nonconforming sewer connection. This will determine the exact location of your sewer lateral, how it's connected to the public sewer, and the general condition of the pipe.

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