The Proposed Draft was published on May 5. Staff sent a memorandum to the Planning Commission on May 30 detailing several revisions to proposed amendments for Title 11. Read the revised amendment language in the memo.
The project is scheduled for a public hearing with the Planning Commission on Tuesday, June 10 at 12:30 p.m. on the proposed changes to Title 11 and Title 33.
The public is invited to submit testimony to the Planning Commission on the proposed changes to the Zoning Code (Title 33), and Tree Code (Title 11). Submit written testimony or sign up to testify in person.
The proposal will not change the rules that apply to new building construction or projects that increase the number of vehicle trips to a building, such as changing the use from an office space to a restaurant, for example. The suspension of these rules would last until Jan. 1, 2029.
Code proposals
The four cost-based upgrade thresholds subject to this suspension proposal are as follows. The Planning Commission will make a recommendation on #1 and #2. The City Council will hear public testimony on all four code proposals.
- Site upgrades (Title 33). This currently applies certain types of upgrades (e.g. bike parking, pedestrian connections and landscaping) to additions and alterations with a project value of more than $356,300. The proposed pause aligns with a similar pause the planning commission recommended for housing projects as part of the Housing Regulatory Relief project last year.
- Street Tree Planting (Title 11). This currently applies to all developments that have a project value of more than $25,000. The proposed pause will not apply to new building construction, nor those sites where sidewalk improvements are already required. In addition to the street tree planting requirement, Forestry staff have proposed other changes to help reduce permit review costs, as well as facilitate large scale tree planting initiatives through more flexible tree planting size requirements.
Two additional upgrade pauses will be considered by City Council, after the Planning Commission’s hearing. These include:
- Street Improvements (e.g. sidewalks, curb ramps) (Title 17). This currently applies to all developments that have a project value greater than 35% of the assessed improvement value for the site. Note that some uses, like schools and hospitals will not be exempt.
- Seismic Evaluation Report (Title 24). This currently applies to additions and alterations with a project value of more than $362,000.
In sum, these proposed regulatory pauses will provide relief for small businesses and smaller development projects like home improvement projects.
Tell the Planning Commission what you think
The Planning Commission will take public testimony on the Title 33 changes as well as the Title 11 changes at a public hearing on Tuesday, June 10, at 12:30 p.m. The hearing will be a hybrid format, with options to participate either in person or virtually using a computer, mobile device or telephone.
You must register to testify in advance. Registration will open seven days before the hearing. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the hearing. The deadline to register for the hearing is Monday, June 9, at 5 p.m. Individuals have three minutes to testify, unless stated otherwise at the hearing.
The Planning Commission meeting will be held in hybrid format at the following location:
1900 Building
1900 SW Fourth Avenue
Portland, OR 97201
Written testimony
We strongly encourage electronic written testimony. Written testimony must be received by the end of the hearing on June 10 and must include your name and address.
Use the Map App
Submit testimony through the Map App
U.S. Mail
Portland Planning Commission
Code Alignment Project
1810 SW 5th Ave, Suite 710
Portland, OR 97201
What happens next?
After the Planning Commission has heard the proposals and considered public comment and testimony, they will take a vote on a recommendation that will then be forwarded to City Council for additional consideration. At that time, City Council will also be considering suspending similar upgrade requirements for Title 17 (Street improvements), and Title 24 (Seismic evaluations). A City Council hearing date is yet to be scheduled.
Stay informed
You can hear about future City Council hearings on these proposals. Subscribe to project emails for updates.