Planning Commission recommends that City Council adopt regulations to boost housing and economic recovery in the Central City

On July 14, 2026, the Portland Planning Commission unanimously approved their recommendation to City Council on the Central City Code Amendments Project (CCCAP). During their review of the most recent draft of the project - Proposed Draft - the commission received oral and written testimony from over 50 members of the public across a range of issues.  

In response to this testimony, the commission adopted a few amendments including:

• Unlimited Bonus Height. Recommend a new maximum building height bonus. Heights beyond the maximums in the code can be requested for residential development for sites outside a protected public view corridor or historic district. Additional height must not result in adverse shadowing of public open space areas or residential areas outside the Central City Plan District.  
• Ground Floor Residential Development Standards. Reduce the areas where ground floor residential units are prohibited and implement new development standards to ensure ground floor units have a positive relationship with the public realm and pedestrian environment.    
• River Setback in Governor Tom McCall Waterfront Park. Reduce the river setback in Governor Tom McCall Park from 50 feet to 25 feet and allow for park and recreation uses within the setback.

Watch the Planning Commission discussion and vote.

Next Steps

Project staff will compile the Planning Commission's recommendations into a Recommended Draft that will be considered by City Council in fall or winter of 2026. There will be additional opportunities to provide testimony to City Council – the final decision-maker.  

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