The goal of the Residential Infill Project “series” is to increase housing options in Portland’s residential neighborhoods, thus allowing more people to live, work, play, go to school and enjoy the amenities of Portland’s great neighborhoods.
While the first part of the Residential Infill Project (RIP) addressed residential zones from R2.5 to R7, the second part (RIP2) completes the expansion of housing types allowed in all residential zones, including Portland’s larger lots in outlying areas (R10 and R20). RIP2 also creates new standards for attached houses and cottage clusters for all single-dwelling zones.
RIP2 addresses several outstanding mandates in the State’s middle housing bill HB2001. This bill requires Metro cities to permit duplexes on all lots where single homes are allowed as well as other types of middle housing, such as triplexes, fourplexes, attached houses and cottage clusters, in many residential areas.
Another bill, Senate Bill 458, allows applicants to divide middle housing units so that each unit is on its own lot and can be owned separately. RIP2 gets Portland in alignment with that legislation as well.
RIP2 Proposed Draft
The RIP2 Proposed Draft was released in November 2021, and more than 11,000 affected property owners received notices in the mail. The Planning and Sustainability Commission subsequently held a public hearing on the proposals on December 14 and two work sessions in January, before voting on their recommendation on February 8, 2022.
In addition to ensuring that Portland is in alignment with new housing/zoning regulations, the Recommended Draft includes proposed changes not specifically required by the State mandates. Floor area limits, which already apply in the higher density single-dwelling zones, will apply to substandard sized lots that are less than 10,000 square feet in the R10 and R20 zones. The PSC’s recommendation also included another version of middle housing: a detached-unit duplex, for which a second detached dwelling would be allowed on a site with an existing house.
Now City Council wants to hear from you
City Council will hold a public hearing on the proposed code changes on April 27 at 2 p.m. Commissioners want to hear from property owners and others about the recommended changes.
Review the Recommended Draft
The Recommended Draft of the Residential Infill Project – Part 2 is available for review and testimony. There are two ways to view the documents:
- Download a copy of the documents.
- Look up your property at on the Map App. Type in an address to see whether or how the proposed changes may apply to a specific location.
Then 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.
Via U.S. Mail
Send mail to:
Council Clerk
RIP2 Testimony
1221 SW 4th Ave, Room 130
Portland, OR 97204
2. Testify at City Council
On April 27 at 2 p.m., City Council will hold a public hearing on the Residential Infill Project - Part 2. Community members will be able to testify about the proposed changes to the Constrained Sites ‘z’ overlay zone on their property and/or in their neighborhood, or about the project proposals in general. The hearing will be held virtually, and community members may testify by phone or video conference.
The deadline for testimony registration is April 26 at 4 p.m. Visit the Council event page to sign up to testify, view the Council agenda, or watch the hearing online.
Project schedule
- April 27 at 2 p.m.: Public hearing on RIP2
- May 12: City Council amendments published on the BPS website
- May 19 at 2 p.m.: Public hearing on Council amendments
- June 1 at 9:45 a.m.: Council vote on RIP2 package
Please visit the Residential Infill Project - Part 2 website for additional information.