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Portland is a Sanctuary City

Find sanctuary city resources from the City of Portland's Immigrant & Refugee Program, including free legal services and state resources for reporting hate crimes, bias incidents, discrimination, and violations of Oregon's sanctuary laws.

Services, Guides, and Information

58 services and resources found

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

Popular
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.

2020 Stormwater Management Manual

Manual
The 2025 Stormwater Management Manual (SWMM) has replaced the 2020 manual. The manual sets City policy and design requirements for stormwater management on all development, redevelopment, and improvement projects on both public and private property in Portland.

2025 Stormwater Management Manual

Information
The 2025 Stormwater Management Manual (SWMM) became effective March 1, 2025. The manual sets City policy and design requirements for stormwater management on all development, redevelopment, and improvement projects on both public and private property in Portland.

About Green Streets

Information
Green streets reduce sewer overflows and backups by slowing and absorbing stormwater runoff from sidewalks and streets. Also known as rain gardens or bioswales, green streets are important to the City’s sewer and stormwater systems. They also help prevent pollution from washing into our rivers.

About the Big Pipe Project

Information
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.

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about Clean River Rewards

Information

Apply for an NPDES Industrial Stormwater Permit No. 1200-Z

Service
Apply for a 1200-Z general NPDES stormwater discharge permit for an industrial site in City limits. Environmental Services receives and processes applications for general stormwater permits. The City is the authorized agent for the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality.

Basins

Information
Basins collect rainwater to control flooding and prevent erosion. They are an attractive way to manage the rain on your property and can add interest to your landscape. They are most suitable for large, open spaces. 

Being a Green Street Steward

Guide
Contribute to your community and help keep Portland’s rivers clean as a Green Street Steward. You can adopt a green street planter and help to take care of them between regular City maintenance visits. Read more about the program and find out how you can become a Green Street Steward.

Clean River Rewards

Information
Does the rain that falls on your property safely soak into the ground instead of going into the city's sewer and stormwater system? You could receive a discount on the stormwater portion of your City of Portland water, sewer, and stormwater bill. Learn more about the discount program on this page.

Downspout Disconnection

Information
Where soils soak up water and yards don’t have steep slopes, disconnecting your downspouts to direct water from your roof to your yard can be a simple, inexpensive, effective, and easy way to manage the rain on your property.

Drywells

Information
A drywell is a long-term and low-maintenance way to manage the rain on your property. It may be a good solution for a property where erosion and flooding are a frequent concern. Drywells are underground, so they will not change the visual appearance of your space.

Ecoroofs

Information
Ecoroofs are an attractive way to manage the rain on your property without altering the landscape. An ecoroof, also known as a green roof, can be a good solution for properties with little or no yard or patio space.

EPA Guidance Manual for Conditional Exclusion from Storm Water Permitting Based On “No Exposure” of Industrial Activities to Storm Water

External Resource
Guidance document from the Environmental Protection Agency for industrial stormwater permittees who would like to apply for No Exposure Certification. Publication date: June 2000.

Flood Safety

Information
Flooding can damage property and threaten lives. Stay informed, be prepared, and stay safe. This information is useful if you know a flood may be coming. For long term preparation of your home, see How to Prepare if You Live or Work in a Floodplain.

Green Street Steward Business Partners

Information
The Green Street Steward program isn’t just for individuals. Businesses and non-profit organizations can volunteer to adopt green street planters in their neighborhoods, too. Caring for a green street is an easy way to be a good neighbor. Keep the area near your business looking green and inviting.

Guidance on 2020 SWMM Requirements for Projects in the Public Right-of-way

Guide
This guidance can help applicants and designers understand how the City's Stormwater Management Manual requirements apply to construction projects in the public right-of-way.

Guidance on CC2035 Ecoroof Requirements and the Stormwater Management Manual

Information
By approving the Central City 2035 Plan, Council enacted a new ecoroof requirement that applies to most buildings in the Central City Plan District. Here, we provide clarification for how the requirement of CC2035 relates to the Stormwater Management Manual.

How to care for a rain garden or other stormwater facility on your property

Information
Thank you for managing the rain on your property! Follow these important steps to make sure your rain garden, basin, planter, swale, disconnected downspouts, or other stormwater management facility keeps working safely and as designed.

How to Determine When a Right-of-way Project Triggers the SWMM

Information
Use the guidance below to determine if your right-of-way project triggers requirements of the 2020 Stormwater Management Manual.

How to Meet SWMM Requirements for Projects in the Right-of-way

Information
When public improvements require stormwater management, four options are potentially available to meet SWMM requirements in the right-of-way depending on the specific characteristics of the project. Projects can include a combination of these options.

How to Prepare if You Live or Work in a Floodplain

Information
Low-lying areas by creeks and rivers are called floodplains and have a higher chance of flooding. Do you live or work in a floodplain? Find out about your flood risk and ways to protect yourself and your property.

How trees work to manage rain and stormwater

Information
Trees are a readily available and natural way to manage the rain on your property. Trees are easy to plant and low-cost. Learn about the types of trees best suited for your property before planting.

How We Manage Stormwater

Information
Portland may be the Rose City, but we’re just as well known for our rainy weather. We get an average of 37 inches of rain each year. You might wonder, “where does all that rain go?” Read on to learn how rain becomes stormwater, and how Environmental Services manages the challenges it causes.

Invasive plants and the damage they can cause to our environment and economy

Information
Invasive plants can reproduce rapidly and spread quickly, taking space, nutrients, water, and light from other plants. If uncontrolled, they can damage parks, streams, and infrastructure. Learn more about the damage caused by invasive plants.

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