Chapter 17.23 Special Traffic Control District

City Code Chapter

(Chapter replaced by Ordinance 184957, effective November 25, 2011.)

17.23.010 Application.

  1. This Chapter shall apply to any use of the street area within the Special Traffic Control District described in Section 17.23.030.

17.23.020 Definitions.

(Amended by Ordinance 185397, effective July 6, 2012.)  

  1. As used in this Chapter, the following terms shall have the following definitions:
  2. A.  “Curb” shall mean the stone or concrete edging along a street or sidewalk.
  3. B.  “Maintenance” shall mean the function of protecting existing facilities within the street area so as to keep those facilities in safe and convenient operating condition.  Under this definition, the work would be of a routine nature and would not involve cutting the pavement.
  4. C.  “Emergency” shall mean any unscheduled repair of existing facilities within the street area which must be accomplished immediately to protect the life, health, and well being of the public, or to protect public or private property.  Under this definition, “emergency” work shall encompass only immediately required repairs and shall not include extensive replacement or upgrading of the facility.

17.23.030 Designated Boundary.

  1. The following described Special Traffic Control District will mean and include the following streets in the City:
  2. The Special Traffic Control District shall be bounded by Naito Parkway to the east and the I-405 Loop to the west, south, and north.  In addition to said boundary, the Special Traffic Control District shall include the following boundaries:  beginning with the intersection of the west line of SW 18th and the south line of SW Salmon, running thence easterly along said south line of SW Salmon Street to the west line of SW 14th Avenue, running thence southerly to its intersection with the north line of SW Jefferson, thence easterly to the east line of SW 14th Avenue, thence northerly along the east line of SW 14th Avenue to its intersection with the north line of West Burnside; thence westerly along the north line of West Burnside to its intersection with the west line of SW 18th Avenue; thence southerly along the west line of SW 18th to the place of  beginning.  And, beginning with Naito Parkway to the west, the Willamette River to the east, SW Clay Street to the north, and SW River Parkway to the south.

17.23.040 Special Jurisdiction.

  1. Within the Special Traffic Control District, the Director of the Bureau of Transportation shall have the authority to require temporary street closure permits.  Such permits may allow for construction, repair, or maintenance of facilities within the street area and use of the street area to facilitate work on private property.  The Director of the Bureau of Transportation shall have the authority to secure information from and coordinate the activities of all parties requesting use of the street area.  The authority of the Director of the Bureau of Transportation shall not repeal the authority of the Building Bureau as outlined in Chapters 44 and 45 of the Uniform Building Code or as outlined in Section 17.44.020 of the Code of the City of Portland, Oregon.

17.23.050 Permits Required.

(Amended by Ordinances 187632 and 188692, effective January 1, 2018.)

  1. A.  Any party desiring to perform work in the street or make use of the street area to perform work on private property shall first obtain a temporary street closure permit as prescribed in Chapter 17.24 of the Code of the City of Portland, Oregon, and pay the permit fees set forth in Chapter 17.24.
  2. B.  Any party performing emergency work shall notify the Director of the Bureau of Transportation at the time work is commenced and when finished.  Emergency work may be performed without first obtaining the temporary street closure permit outlined in Subsection A. above or without complying with the requirements of Subsection A. above.
  3. C.  Any party desiring to perform work that utilizes the street area in the Special Traffic Control District shall obtain approval from the Director of the Bureau of Transportation to schedule their work.  Any party desiring to perform work shall distribute notice of work to adjacent businesses five days in advance of proposed work dates.  A written schedule of work dates and proof of notification to adjacent businesses shall be submitted to the Director of the Bureau of Transportation prior to final approval being granted.
  4. D.  The Director of the Bureau of Transportation may waive minimum notification requirements as listed above in Subsection C. if work is deemed to have minimal impact to the transportation system.
  5. E.  Not withstanding the other provisions of this Section, the Director of the Bureau of Transportation shall have the authority to implement additional requirements for permits in the Special Traffic Control District when conditions in the downtown require more stringent regulations.
  6. F.  Nothing contained herein shall limit the authority of the Director of the Bureau of Transportation in maintaining public peace and safety and upon request from the Director of the Bureau of Transportation the party performing any work in the street area shall reopen the street area to its normal use as determined by the City Traffic Engineer.

17.23.060 Traffic Standards.

  1. Since the intent of this Code Section is to minimize traffic congestion in the Special Traffic Control District, permits issued within the Special Traffic Control District in accordance with Sections 17.23.050 and 17.24.010 must conform to traffic standards established by the City Traffic Engineer.  Within the special control district, the Director of the Bureau of Transportation is hereby authorized and directed to enforce the traffic standards or such other traffic control plans as may be required as a condition of the permit.  The Director of the Bureau of Transportation or City Traffic Engineer may require any party requesting to use the street area to submit a traffic control plan for review as a condition of granting a permit.

17.23.070 Revocation.

  1. The Director of the Bureau of Transportation in carrying out the provisions set forth herein may enforce conditions set forth in permits issued under Section 17.23.050.  The Director of the Bureau of Transportation may revoke any permit issued under Section 17.23.050 at any time in the event the public’s need requires it, the permittee fails to comply with the conditions of the permit, or for any reason which would have been grounds for denial of the initial permit application.