Together, we make Portland’s community and built environment more vibrant and sustainable, and create efficient, transparent, and just solutions to the issues they may face. The service area works with the community along the way to make that happen, through its partnerships, services, resources, and experiences.
To meet these goals, the service area has aligned critical city functions, managed by a deputy city administrator who reports to the city administrator. As of July 2024, all city bureaus and programs are managed by the city administrator, who reports to the mayor. Read more about the City of Portland's leadership team.
Our bureaus and programs
Portland Housing Bureau (PHB) creates a stable, inclusive, and sustainable city. It does this by funding affordable housing, ensuring renter protections, and preserving existing homes.
Portland Permitting & Development (PP&D) manages building permits, land use, inspections, code enforcement, and public works permits to ensure our built environment is safe and accessible.
Bureau of Planning & Sustainability (BPS) develops solutions to make Portland more equitable, healthy, prosperous and resilient. It does this through long-range planning, climate action, waste management, community technology and digital equity—as well as through the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund.
Prosper Portland is the city’s economic and urban development agency. It aims to build an equitable economy with a comprehensive range of economic development programs that support small business, improve access to workforce training, and create jobs for Portland residents.
Portland Children’s Levy prepares children for school, supports them to be successful inside and outside of classrooms, and eliminates racial and ethnic disparities in children’s outcomes. Portland voters approved the first Levy in 2002 and overwhelmingly renewed it four times; Levy funding runs through June 2029.
Office of Arts & Culture puts arts at the center of public life for all Portlanders by supporting a diverse array of creative expressions. Arts & Culture champions Portland's vibrant arts and culture ecosystem through arts education coordination, cultural planning, grantmaking, public art and the Percent for Art program, and more.
Spectator Venues and Visitor Activities Program houses Portland's sports and some entertainment venues, which support the local economy. These venues offer residents and visitors a place to have fun—from enjoying a show to cheering on the Thorns, Timbers, Winterhawks, or Trail Blazers.