Commissioner Ryan Waives Fees for Winter Storm-related Tree Damage

News Article
In response to this extreme weather event and the Mayor’s emergency declaration.
Published

(Portland, OR) –

Vibrant Communities Commissioner Dan Ryan directs Portland Parks & Recreation's (PP&R) Urban Forestry department to waive retroactive tree removal and replanting application fees for property owners who experienced tree-related damages during the latest declared emergency weather event.

Home and business owners whose property was damaged by falling or failing trees or branches between January 12 and February 23, 2024 will not be required to pay the retroactive tree removal or replanting application fees. This fee waiver is in direct response to the recent extreme weather event and the Mayor’s emergency declaration. Tree permit application fee requirements may be adjusted on a case-by-case basis for future weather events.

More information on how to receive a refund or submit a no-fee permit will be available at portland.gov/trees by February 5, 2024. Property owners should contact trees@portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-TREE (8733) in the coming days for more information. While this number goes to a voicemail recording system, staff are diligently working to reply to all messages quickly, generally within three business days. 

PP&R’s Urban Forestry department will continue to provide emergency response for this weather event as there is still a lot of work to do to clear roadways and remove fallen trees and limbs. 

Tree emergency dispatch is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, call 503-823-TREE (8733), then select Option 1. This will connect you to a 311 dispatcher for tree emergency response. Tree emergencies are tree or limb failures blocking or threatening the public right-of-way or a City property.  

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