In July 2019, the Portland City Council adopted the Central City 2035 Plan (CC2035). This was the final step in a nearly 10-year effort that engaged thousands of Portlanders in the crafting of a new policy framework to guide land use, transportation, environmental protection, and urban design of Oregon's largest urban center.
Shortly after the CC2035 Plan was adopted, work and development patterns in the Central City started to shift—driven by the 2020 global pandemic. New challenges emerged, including the changing nature of how and where people work, the acute need for additional housing at all income levels, and the need to activate public spaces.
Staff conducted an initial analysis of the CC2035 Plan in light of these unforeseen challenges. This analysis revealed that the plan would benefit from strategic updates to the zoning code and maps to facilitate housing production and economic recovery.
Read more about these strategic updates
About the Central City Code Amendments Project
The Central City Code Amendments Project was developed to address some of these post-pandemic challenges. This project is focused on encouraging more housing and facilitating economic recovery and revitalization in the Central City with the following objectives:
- Advance opportunities for new residential development where protected scenic and historic resources will not be impacted.
- Allow more flexibility for a range of land uses within Central City zones.
- Activate ground floor spaces and strengthen retail concentrations while also looking for areas where ground floor housing units may be appropriate.
- Accommodate the growing presence of larger households and families with children who may require larger units.
- Activate the Willamette River waterfront by expanding its role as a regional attractor, as well as neighborhood amenity.
The project is informed by early outreach to nearly 20 different neighborhoods, community and business groups, as well as interviews with property owners and developers. Read the full Community Engagement Plan for descriptions of the planned engagement approaches in each phase of the project and a running log of completed outreach activities.
Discussion Draft released
The Discussion Draft is now available for review and public comment is invited through Friday, Feb. 13. This draft represents City staff's initial recommendations for zoning code and map changes to help facilitate housing development and economic revitalization. This is the first opportunity for the broader public to give feedback on the proposed changes.
Read the Discussion Draft and learn more about the draft proposals
Learn more and give feedback
We want to hear from you! There are many opportunities to learn more about the project and provide feedback.
Learn more and ask questions at upcoming events:
- Virtual information session #1, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 5:30 - 7 p.m.
- In-person open house, Wednesday, Jan. 21, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m., Portland Building Room 100
- Virtual information session #2, Thursday, Jan. 29, 12 - 1:30 p.m.
Give feedback
- Submit your written comments using the project's Map App until Friday, Feb. 13.
- Give feedback at the in-person open house on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m., Portland Building Room 100.
Next steps
After the public comment phase closes on Feb. 13, staff will integrate public feedback into a Proposed Draft that will be considered by the Portland Planning Commission in spring 2026. There will be opportunities for the public to provide written and oral testimony to the Planning Commission, and then City Council—the final decision-maker—in summer / fall 2026.
Sign up to stay informed about project next steps, news, events, and opportunities to give public testimony.