Amend transportation fee schedule for FY 2025-26 to reflect changes in the Plaza Use Permit program (amend TRN 3.450)
The City of Portland ordains.
Section 1. The Council finds:
- The City, through the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT), manages the public right-of-way to shape a livable city for all. Council passed Ordinance 188556 on August 16, 2017 to establish pedestrian plazas under PBOT for the enjoyment, safety, comfort and convenience of the public.
- Since 2017, PBOT Pedestrian Plazas, as defined in 17.43.020, have contributed to a re-envisioning of city streets as spaces for people and provided opportunities for economic development in downtown and neighborhood commercial centers.
- PBOT documents current Pedestrian Plazas in Appendix B_ Pedestrian Plaza Designation Memo.
- The new Plaza Uses, which include outdoor dining activity, vending carts, community events, and community use encroachments, such as public art, enhance the overall vibrancy of the adjacent business districts and add a sense of place to the right of way.
- That the updated Plaza Use Fees for uses within designated Pedestrian Plazas are intended to incentivize the use of plazas and support commercial economic development opportunities.
- Adjacent business owners, neighborhood and business associations, and newly formed Friends of Plaza groups, are active participants and organizers in plaza activities and are communicated with regularly by the Plaza Program staff.
- That the Plaza Use fees capture a portion of staff costs and represent a reasonable commercial use of the right of way.
- That the Plaza Use permit program provides new permitting options for program participants which will require changes to the Transportation Fee Schedule.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Council directs:
- Amend TRN 3.450, Exhibit B, Fees, Rates and Charges for Community Events of the Transportation Fee Schedule to include Plaza Use fees.
- The Director of Transportation is hereby authorized to create, adopt, and modify accompanying administrative rules to govern this process.
- This Ordinance is binding City Policy.
Exhibits and Attachments
An ordinance when passed by the Council shall be signed by the Auditor. It shall be carefully filed and preserved
in the custody of the Auditor (City Charter Chapter 2 Article 1 Section 2-122)
Passed by Council
Auditor of the City of Portland
Simone Rede
Impact Statement
Purpose of Proposed Legislation and Background Information
The Plaza Program aims to activate plazas with a variety of uses including Community Events, Outdoor Dining, Vending, and Encroachments. While these uses have already been in place, there have not been specific fees associated with those uses that take into account the Plaza designation and the goals of that program.
The Outdoor Dining program became permanent in 2023, but a separate program is needed to address outdoor dining and other uses within Plazas. The fees proposed take into account the current installations that exist and the potential for future installations. Outdoor dining fees in plazas are based on existing rates and most establishments will not see any change, or perhaps a reduction in fees.
Similarly, a variety of events have been held in the plaza using the Community Event program fees. The proposed Plaza Use fees aim to distinguish between plaza events and community events, and continue to subsidize and incentivize events in plazas. The fees also incorporate the fact that staff time for event approvals in plazas is lower given that the street is already closed to traffic. The majority of events in plazas
Financial and Budgetary Impacts
No additional staffing is needed to implement these fees. The goal of the Plaza Use fees is to capture a portion of staff costs and represent a reasonable commercial use of the Right of Way. The estimated revenue is listed below:
- Community Events:
- 36 nonprofit events with vending: $0
- 15 for profit events with vending: $3,300
- 20 nonprofit events with vending and alcohol: $5,250
- 20 for profit events with vending and alcohol: $10,500
- Vending Carts:
- 10 vending cart permits - $1,500
- Encroachments:
- 2 commercial encroachments: $1,892
- Outdoor Dining:
- 30 outdoor dining permits - $35,000
Total Revenue Expected: $57,442
Economic and Real Estate Development Impacts
The fees proposed incentivize activity in plazas including commercial activity, community events, and public art. The uses enhance the overall vibrancy of the adjacent business districts and adds a sense of place to the right of way. Adjacent business owners are active participants and organizers in the Plaza activities and are communicated with regularly.
Community Impacts and Community Involvement
The fees proposed incentive activity in Street Plazas including commercial activity, community events, and community encroachments, such as public art. The uses enhance the overall vibrancy of the adjacent business districts and add a sense of place to the right of way. Adjacent business owners and neighborhood associations are active participants and organizers in the Plaza Program activities and are communicated with regularly.
100% Renewable Goal
Not applicable.
Financial and Budget Analysis
Analysis provided by City Budget Office
This ordinance amends the Transportation Fee Schedule (TRN 3.450) to establish Plaza Use fees for outdoor dining, vending carts, community events, and encroachments within PBOT-designated pedestrian plazas. The fees are structured to capture a portion of staff costs while incentivizing plaza activation, with estimated annual revenue of approximately $57,442. No additional staffing or budget appropriation is required.
Economic and Real Estate Development Analysis
Analysis provided by Prosper Portland
Prosper Portland staff has reviewed the Economic and Real Estate Development Impact Analysis submitted for this action and finds that it satisfies the requirements set forth in City Council Resolution 37664. The analysis is sufficiently detailed and complete to be considered a final statement for purposes of this action.
Document History
Document number: 2025-363
President's referral: Transportation and Infrastructure Committee