On January 31, City Council voted unanimously to approve the Housing Regulatory Relief zoning code amendments. The package includes both temporary suspensions and reductions to zoning code standards and processes, as well as clarifications to the code. Commissioners voted after hearing testimony on the package at their January 10 meeting and considered several amendments on January 17.
The code changes become effective on March 1, 2024, but a directive in the ordinance allows projects currently in the development pipeline to take advantage of some of the relief items ― if they are providing housing.
These amendments are part of a larger strategy implemented by Commissioner Rubio’s office that also considers improving the regulations of Portland Housing Bureau’s Inclusionary Housing program, as well as continued process improvements for reviewing permits.
More about the Housing Regulatory Relief project
The Housing Regulatory Relief project creates temporary waivers and makes permanent changes to zoning regulations to streamline the process of housing construction. The project addresses several issues identified in the housing production survey conducted by the Bureau of Development Services.
More than a dozen issues are addressed, including bike parking, ground floor active use/height, nonconforming upgrades, eco-roof standards, design review, and neighborhood contact requirements. The temporary waivers and reductions will last five years and apply to development that includes residential units unless otherwise stated.