Out of concern for the safety of the public and City staff during the COVID-19 pandemic, City of Portland bureaus are making temporary changes and closures to our in-person customer service delivery. Many staff are teleworking to the greatest degree possible, as we continue to serve the community.
People who are exhibiting symptoms of any illness should stay home and notify staff if an appointment reschedule is needed.
Visit the City of Portland's COVID-19 webpage for the most up to date news and alerts related to the City's response to the pandemic.
If you have a question or need information about City services or programs not listed here, please call the City/County Information & Referral line at (503) 823-4000 or email cityinfo@portlandoregon.gov. Staff are available to help Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
See below for the list of changes and/or closures:
Bureau of Development Services
Status Updates:
- Limited staff available for permit intake by appointment only according to the priority process outlined on the BDS website.
- Walk-in services for questions suspended. Questions about projects and property will be taken in via phone and email – see the Contact Us page and Questions/Feedback page.
- Permit-related inspections continue to be scheduled through the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system. If anyone is exhibiting signs of illness at the inspection site, customers are asked to wait to schedule their inspection until at least 72 hours after symptoms have passed.
How to contact us:
- Schedule permit-related inspections through the IVR system, call 503-823-7000 and press 1.
- Schedule an appointment: email BDS@portlandoregon.gov or call 503-823-7300 and leave a message. Emails and calls will be returned as soon as possible.
- Land Use Review, Final Plan, Early Assistance and other Land Use Services applications can be emailed to LandUseIntake@portlandoregon.gov.
Additional Information:
- BDS offers convenient online services including Development Hub PDX where customers can apply and schedule inspections for simple trade permits and some urban forestry permits. BDS also offers a Remote Video Re-inspection service for simple on-site inspections involving minor corrections.
- More information is available on this page. Check back often for updates.
Sewer/Stormwater/Water Customer Service (Environmental Services and Water bureaus)
Status Updates:
- City of Portland Customer Service Walk-in Center (664 N. Tillamook Street) closed until further notice.
- Call Center hours are limited.
How to contact us:
- 24-hour automated line: 503-823-7770
- Press 1 to make a payment.
- Press 2 to restore service if your water was disconnected for nonpayment. See more information below.
- Press 3 for after-hour water emergencies.
- Email: PWBCustomerService@portlandoregon.gov
- Make a payment online
- Water emergencies: 503-823-4874 (24-hour Emergency Dispatch Hotline)
- Questions about water quality:
- Water Quality Line: 503-823-7525 (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday – Friday. Interpretation available.)
- Email: WBWaterLine@portlandoregon.gov
Additional Information:
- Your drinking water is safe from Coronavirus. The Portland Water Bureau uses chlorine disinfection to meet the EPA and OHA requirements for the treatment of viruses such as COVID-19. Our drinking water is regularly tested throughout the drinking water system to make sure the water remains safe.
- We offer financial help. You may be able to get a bill discount or crisis voucher. We offer financial assistance in the form of payment arrangements bill discounts for sewer and water charges, crisis vouchers and more.
- We will not disconnect customers' water service due to billing/payment issues during this health emergency and will not charge late fees. Customers will continue to be responsible for sewer/stormwater/water charges due now and accrued during this time.
- If your water service was disconnected for non-payment and you are contacting us to request your water service be restored, please do so during business hours. If you wish to have your service restored after hours for a fee of up to $250, please call 503-823-4874. You can avoid the fee by placing your request during business hours.
Bureau of Environmental Services
Status Updates:
- Water Pollution Control Lab meeting spaces are closed.
- Tours are not being offered at this time to the Columbia Boulevard Wastewater Treatment Plant.
- Critical construction projects are continuing in order to upgrade sewer and stormwater infrastructure and protect public health, property, and our environment.
How to contact us:
- General inquiry: 503-823-7740
- Report a sewage release (24-hour Emergency Dispatch Hotline): 503-823-1700
- More specific contact info for construction projects may be found on our Construction Projects page
Additional Information:
- For bill paying, please see the Portland Water Bureau’s customer service information.
- We will respond to all voicemails and emails within 24 hours. Stay home, stay healthy.
- Portland’s two wastewater treatment plants are fully operational.
Bureau Human Resources
Status Updates:
- All external recruitments for City of Portland jobs are suspended, effective March 17, 2020.
- Until further notice, BHR will not post any external candidate recruitments.
How to contact us:
- InboxRecruitment@portlandoregon.gov
- (503) 823-4034
Additional Information:
- For recruitments in which candidates have already been placed on an eligible list, those candidates will remain on the list, although interviews/start dates are suspended until further notice.
- For recruitments in which candidates have applied, and the recruitment closed prior to March 23, 2020, BHR will review applicants for an eligible list. But interviews are suspended.
Bureau of Planning and Sustainability
Status Updates:
- 1900 SW 4th Avenue, Suite 7100 office is closed and BPS staffers are telecommuting.
- The Planning and Sustainability Commission meeting on April 14, 2020 has been canceled. Future meeting details will be updated on the Planning & Sustainability Commission page.
How to contact us:
- Email: bps@portlandoregon.gov
- Phone: 503-823-7700
- Web: www.portlandoregon.gov/bps
- Social media: @PortlandBPS on Facebook and Twitter
- Questions or concerns regarding residential or commercial collection of garbage, recycling and compost: Leave a message on the waste info hotline, 503-823-7202, or send an email to wasteinfo@portlandoregon.gov
Office of Community & Civic Life
Status Updates:
- All public walk-in hours are currently suspended for Civic Life’s City Hall office location until further notice.
- Liquor Licensing Program will not be accepting applications for any liquor licenses (temporary or annual).
- Noise Program will process all noise variance applications and noise complaints online.
- Cannabis related materials can continue to be mailed or emailed to Civic Life’s office. Portland cannabis businesses may continue to operate during this adjustment, regardless of payment or license expiration.
How to contact us:
- Liquor Licensing Program: 503-823-4520 or liquor@portlandoregon.gov. The voicemail and inbox will be checked regularly by staff working remotely.
- Noise Program: Submit noise variance applications here and noise complaints here
- Cannabis Program: cannabis@portlandoregon.gov
Portland Bureau of Transportation
Status Updates:
Abandoned autos: responding primarily to severely hazardous or junked unoccupied vehicles. Enforcement of abandoned autos has resumed for clearly inoperable or disabled vehicles, as well as for boats, trailers, drop boxes, or RVs in the right-of-way for longer than 8 hours. Per the DMV, PBOT is not enforcing expired registration/tags at this time. Call 503-823-6874 weekdays only, 8 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Compost sales at our Sunderland Yard facility have resumed. Visit our Buy Compost page for details.
Minor improvement permits: Staff processing permits remotely. Call 503-823-7002, option 3, or email PBOTsidewalkpermits@portlandoregon.gov to get started.
Parking enforcement: Operating, prioritizing essential parking access, such as keeping disabled spots, fire hydrants, and loading zones clear. All parking meters are being enforced.
Parking permits: Customer service center closed. Permit renewals for Zone G and N extended indefinitely. Temporary area parking permits are being provided under certain circumstances. Visit our Parking Services page to learn more.
Private for-hire permits: Our customer service center is currently closed, but we are still processing permits and extending temporary ones. To learn about what services are still being offered, visit our Private for-hire transportation program page.
Public works construction: staff working remotely, inspectors still out in the field. Email publicworksconstruction@portlandoregon.gov for quickest reply, or leave a voicemail at 503-823-0998.
Public works permitting: processing remotely, expect delays. Email pwp@portlandoregon.gov for quickest reply, or call hotline 503-823-1987.
Right-of-way inspections: Continuing, but via video chat or picture. Call 503-823-7002, option 1 to request an inspection.
Sewer and street repairs: Still taking requests for debris removal, sinkhole, and pothole repairs, and clogged catch basin and backed-up sewer assistance. File a request online.
Sidewalk repairs: Inspections and permits still operating, leave a voicemail at 503-823-1711 or email sidewalkrepair@portlandoregon.gov
SmartPark garages: Garages are staffed and operating with hourly rates in effect for the first two hours, then all-day rates capped at $10 until 5 a.m. the following day. See our SmartPark Garages page for more details.
Temporary street use permitting: Processing permits and payment remotely. Expect minor delays. Get up-to-date information here.
How to Contact Us?
For emergency road hazards call 24/7 maintenance dispatch at 503-823-1700.
For general PBOT questions, please call 503-823-5185 or email PBOTFrontDesk@portlandoregon.gov.
Additional Information
Information subject to change. For up to date information, visit PBOT’s main page at portland.gov/transportation.
For Covid-19 transportation-related questions and answers such as guidance on taxis, transit, scooters, and public right-of-way, visit PBOT's Transportation Questions & Answers page.
Portland Fire & Rescue
Status Updates:
- Fire Marshal’s Office operating under limited public hours starting March 23rd, 2020
- Postponing all non-essential code enforcement inspections
- Permit-related inspections will continue and can be scheduled online or by phone
How to contact us:
- 503-823-3712
- Email pfrpc@portlandoregon.gov
- Permit-related inspections: schedule online or via phone at 503-823-1199
Additional Information:
- We will respond to all voicemails and emails within 24 hours.
- If you need to submit a permit in person, we will be open from 12:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday beginning March 23rd. Please leave your plans on the counter and we will contact you via phone for a credit card payment. Check payments are also accepted.
Portland Parks & Recreation
Status Updates:
- Open: Parks, Trails, Natural Areas - All parks, natural areas, and trails remain open for use. Please follow ALL public health guidelines and maintain 6 feet of physical distancing with other park and trail users, including PP&R staff who are out working.
- Open: Golf Courses - Portland Parks Golf courses are OPEN, but clubhouses are closed, except for restrooms. Food and beverage are available on a limited take-out basis. Click here for more information about Portland Parks Golf and COVID-19 safety guidelines.
- Closed and Canceled - While all Portland parks, trails, golf courses, and natural areas remain open, specific areas are CLOSED in an effort to support physical distancing. All community centers, pools, playgrounds, sports courts and fields, and golf clubhouses are currently CLOSED through September 2020. All Portland Parks & Recreation events are CANCELED through that day. This date is subject to change.
- Emergency Parks Restrooms Opened
How to Contact Us?
- General inquiries: 503-823-7529
- Customer Service Center available by email at CSCpermits@portlandoregon.gov
Additional Information:
- Learn more about closures and postponements related to the COVID-19 pandemic response.
- COVID-19 Information - Parks Cancellations and Refunds
Portland Police Bureau
Status Updates:
- Central Precinct desk open 24/7. East and North Precinct desks are closed until further notice.
- We are responding to all emergency and non-emergency calls.
- Criminal investigations and traffic safety patrols continuing.
- Officers proactively checking on closed businesses.
How to contact us:
- Emergencies: 9-1-1
- Non-Emergencies: (503) 823-3333
- File an Online report
- General questions: visit us online or call Central precinct desk: 503-823-0097
Additional Information:
- We are asking community members wishing to report eligible crimes to do so online.
- Officers may also be taking reports over the phone, or asking community members to come outside for interviews to allow for physical distancing.
- Most felony crimes and mandatory arrest crimes will be booked into jail, but misdemeanor crimes will be criminally cited for a future court date.
- Officers may wear protective equipment, including Air Purifying Respirators, during certain calls.
- PPB will exercise flexibility and discretion for expired driver licenses, ID cards, vehicle registrations, and disabled parking permits during this time.