Environmental Services proposes revisions to Administrative Rule ENB-4.05 Systems Development Charges for Sewer and Stormwater

Public Notice
Environmental Services is making changes to ENB-4.05 regarding systems development charges for sewer and stormwater. Proposed changes align with citywide initiatives and define new business types for better clarity. The public comment period is now closed.
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What are systems development charges?

Systems Development Charges (SDCs) are fees assessed to new development, additions, and changes of use. These fees are collected to help offset the impact a project will have on the City’s storm and sanitary sewer systems, parks and recreation facilities, water, and street systems. Learn more about systems development charges.

What is changing?

Proposed changes to ENB-4.05 will update terms and definitions, development types, and policies related to residential and non-residential sanitary sewer systems development charges.

Why are changes necessary?

Changes are necessary to align with and advance citywide initiatives including the Shelter to Housing Continuum (S2HC) and the Residential Infill Project (RIP). Other changes include policy refinements regarding non-residential development that will improve transparency and better help customers know what to expect.

What will the updates do?

As proposed, updates will make transparent and provide additional detail on sewer and stormwater SDC calculations.

Key updates to Administrative Rule ENB-4.05

  • Include definitions for:
    • Congregate Housing Facility
    • Dwelling Unit
    • Manufactured Dwelling Park
    • Multi-dwelling Development
    • Recreational Vehicle Park
    • Single-dwelling Unit Development
  • Update terms used to describe residential housing types to align with terminology and development type adopted under S2HC and RIP.
  • Clarify policies for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and multi-dwelling developments allowed under RIP.
  • Affirm that single-dwelling unit developments will continue to be charged one equivalent dwelling unit (EDU), and multi-dwelling developments will continue to be charged 0.8 EDU per unit.
  • Add policy language for assessing SDCs associated with congregate housing facilities based on a conversion from drainage fixture unit to EDU.
  • Update Table 1 (Use Class Fixture Equivalency Factors) to expand the occupancy types and use classes for non-residential development.
  • Add policy language for part-year usage, for example, properties that receive public water service for only nine or fewer months of the year.
  • Add language acknowledging SDC exemptions provided by Portland City Code Chapter 17.14.

What are the anticipated impacts?

  • Residential development: Proposed changes in terminology will not affect existing policies for single-dwelling unit and multi-dwelling unit developments.
  • Congregate housing facilities: This is a new housing type and charging these developments by plumbing fixture unit (PFU) is the most direct way to estimate their anticipated impact on the City’s system. Common development types that could be considered congregate housing facilities include dormitories, senior living or retirement facilities, microunits, and single-room occupancy or residential hotels.
  • Non-residential uses: The proposed rule adds the following new development types: recreational vehicle parks, tasting rooms, pet grooming, pet boarding, commercial kitchens, beverage processing facilities, distilleries, cannabis growing and processing facilities, and car washes. Additional development types will help provide clarity and consistency for those businesses.

Review the proposed changes to Administrative Rule ENB-4.05

How to comment

Environmental Services accepted public comment on the proposed revisions to Administrative Rule ENB-4.05 from May 14 through June 14, 2021. The public comment period is now closed.

For more information

For questions or more information, contact the Codes, Rules and Manuals Team by email at bescoderule@portlandoregon.gov.

Contact

Manuals, Code and Rule Team

Environmental Services