1. A. Who may use fire hydrants. Employees of the Water Bureau and Portland Fire & Rescue can use fire hydrants for their work. Other persons must apply for a permit to use a fire hydrant.
2. It is unlawful to operate, change, remove, disconnect, connect to or interfere with a City fire hydrant without Water Bureau permission. The annual rates ordinance includes penalties for unauthorized fire hydrant use.
3. B. The Water Bureau issues temporary and annual fire hydrant permits. A temporary permit lasts up to 90 days; an annual permit lasts up to one year. When a person applies for a permit, the person must bring a Chapman-type (slow-closing) gate valve. The Water Bureau must tag the valve with a permit listing the person’s name, the permit expiration date and the locations of fire hydrants the person is allowed to use.
4. C. Charges for permits and use are in the annual rates ordinance.
5. D. The person who obtained the permit is responsible for following all City, state and federal rules, regulations and guidelines for using and disposing of water.
6. The Water Bureau requires backflow protection for all fire hydrant use. The City Administrator must determine the type of backflow protection necessary.
7. E. Fire hydrant responsibility.
   1. 1. On public property in the City: The Water Bureau installs and maintains fire hydrants (this could be in a right-of-way or an easement).
   2. 2. Outside City limits: If a person wants to connect a fire hydrant to Portland’s water system outside City limits, they must pay for installation. The Water Bureau will connect the hydrant to the water system, own and maintain it.
   3. 3. On private property: The property owner installs and maintains any private fire hydrant and fire protection systems. The property owner must meet Portland Fire & Rescue and plumbing code requirements.

The Water Bureau is authorized to furnish water to any visiting naval vessel that docks in the City, without payment. All such connections require an approved backflow prevention assembly.

It is unlawful for any person to willfully damage, connect to, operate, alter or otherwise tamper with any water main, service, meter, meter box, hydrant, valve or any other facility owned or operated by the Water Bureau.

Some properties use water only intermittently, which may cause fluctuations in volume and pressure for other properties or tenants. The Water Bureau may require a property owner to buy and install equipment that limits volume and pressure fluctuation to protect other properties, tenants and the public water system.

This may also mean that the property owner needs to buy and install a Water Bureau-approved backflow prevention assembly.

1. A. The City Administrator may adopt administrative rules as authorized by Charter. 

Any person who does not follow the rules in Title 21 is subject to City enforcement.

1. A. Violations.
   1. 1. A violation occurs when a person does not comply with a requirement or prohibition of Title 21.
   2. 2. Each violation is separate. The Water Bureau may issue one enforcement action per violation per day.
2. B. Enforcement. In enforcing any of the requirements or prohibitions of Title 21, the City Administrator may:
   1. 1. Issue warning notices.
   2. 2. Issue notices of violation and orders to comply.
   3. 3. Institute an action before the Code Hearings Officer.
   4. 4. Impose civil penalties, in an amount not to exceed $500 per day or as specified elsewhere in Title 21 or the annual rates ordinance. Penalties are imposed for each day a violation continues to exist against any individual or business that does not comply with the provisions of this Title.
   5. 5. Order the installation of facilities required by this Title as a condition of providing water service.
   6. 6. Terminate water service.
3. C. A property owner or tenant may appeal the City Administrator’s action within 30 days of the date the notice of enforcement is mailed, in accordance with procedures and timelines set out in Title 22 of City Code. Such an appeal must include a copy of the action that is the subject of the appeal, must state the basis for the appeal and must be filed with the Code Hearings Officer with notice to the Portland Water Bureau.
4. Exception: If enforcement is related to inadequate backflow protection, the City Administrator may not issue a waiver or variance. Refer to Oregon Administrative Rule 333, City Code Title 22 and Chapter 21.12.