About ezones
Portland’s forests, streams, rivers, and wetlands are vital to our city’s environmental health and resilience to climate change. The City's environmental zones (ezones) are designed to protect these features.
But the ezone maps that show where these areas are and what rules apply to them need to be updated and refined to meet the demands of our growing and shifting population. The maps also need to reflect changes to the environment due to climate change and other dynamics.
New recommended maps are based on tools such as LiDAR and aerial images, so our maps of streams, forests, and wetlands are much more accurate than when ezones first went into effect 20-30 years ago. Site visits have also provided valuable input for staff to verify the maps on the ground and make sure they are accurate.
City Council will hear public testimony on the proposed map changes on February 16. Commissioners want to hear from property owners and others about the recommended changes to the ezones.
Review the Recommended Draft
The Recommended Draft of the Ezone Map Correction Project is available for review and testimony. There are two ways to view the documents:
- Download a copy of the documents at www.portland.gov/bps/ezones/project-documents
- Look up your property at portlandmaps.com/bps/mapapp click on “Ezone Project” and look up a street address
Have your say
Portlanders can testify to City Council in writing or in person.
1. Testify in writing
We strongly encourage electronic written testimony. Written testimony must be received by the time of the hearing (but ideally the day before) and must include your name and address.
Through the Map App
Testifying in the Map App is as easy as sending an email and easier than U.S. Mail.
Click on "Ezone Project" then click the "Testify" button.
Via U.S. Mail
Send mail to:
Portland City Council
Ezone Map Correction Project Testimony
1810 SW 5th Avenue, Suite 710
Portland, OR 97201
2. Testify at City Council
On February 16 at 2 p.m., City Council will hold a public hearing on the Ezone Map Correction Project proposals. The agenda for the City Council hearing will be posted a week before the hearing. Community members will be able to testify about the proposed ezones on their property, in their neighborhood, or about the project proposals in general. The hearing will be held via video conference, and you may testify by phone or video conference.
The deadline for testimony registration is February 15 at 4 p.m. Visit the Council event page to sign up to testify.
Site visits
Staff are scheduling site visits now through March 16. If you would like them to visit your property to confirm or correct the natural resource mapping and draft ezones on your property, please contact Ezone staff by phone or email by February 23. Staff will follow up to schedule a site visit. Site visits must be completed by March 16.
You may also call the Ezone project voicemail at 503-823-4225.
When you request a site visit, include your name, site location (including address, if applicable), phone number, and email address.
Project schedule
- February 16 at 2 pm: Public hearing on updates to the ezones
- February 23: Last day to request a site visit
- April 6: City Council Amendments published on the BPS website
- April 13: Public hearing on Council Amendments
- TBD: Deliberation
- TBD: Final Vote
About the project
The Ezone Map Correction Project Proposed Draft was released in June 2020. The Planning and Sustainability Commission held three public hearings on the proposed changes to the ezones in 2020 and 2021. The PSC voted to recommend the Ezone Project to City Council on Sept. 28, 2021. Please visit the Ezone Map Correction Project website for additional information and to review the Recommended Draft.
Over the past three and a half years, project staff or consultants have conducted hundreds of site visits to verify where streams, wetlands, forests and slopes are located on private property in Portland – primarily owned by homeowners or businesses. The result is a more accurate and up-to-date map of Portland’s environmentally sensitive areas. Property owners can still request site visits.