Do you have experience with public art? Are you passionate about urban design and architecture? If so, you may be a great choice to join a team of experts from various areas of urban planning serving on the Design Commission.
Purpose and roles of the Design Commission
The Design Commission provides leadership and expertise on urban design and architecture in design overlay zones throughout the City of Portland. Design overlay zones are areas where design and neighborhood character are of special concern. The Design Commission supports development that builds on context, contributes to the public realm, and provides high-quality and resilient buildings and public spaces. It also helps develop design guidelines for design districts and provides advice to other City bureaus and regional government partners.
Commission activities include:
- Reviewing major developments within Design overlay zones;
- Recommending the establishment, amendment, or removal of the Design overlay zone and design districts to the Planning Commission;
- Recommending design guidelines for adoption by City Council except for guidelines for Historic Districts and Conservation Districts;
- Reviewing other land use requests assigned to the Design Commission; and
- Providing advice on design matters to the Hearings Officer, Planning Commission, Historic Landmarks Commission, Prosper Portland Commission, City Council, and other City bureaus or public agencies when necessary or requested.
Eligibility
To be eligible to serve on the Design Commission, members must live, play, worship, work or do business in the City of Portland.
The Design Commission consists of seven members, none of whom may hold elective office. The Commission must include: one person with public art experience, one person representing the public at-large, and five members experienced in either urban planning, design, architecture, landscape architecture, natural resource management, sustainable building practices or land development. No more than two members may be appointed from any one of these areas of expertise.
A member with public arts experience is nominated by the Office of Arts & Culture. Nominees to the Design Commission are appointed by the Mayor and confirmed by the City Council. The term is four years, limited to a maximum of two consecutive full terms. This position on the Design Commission will become open in April 2026.
There will be a second open position, starting in November 2026, for someone with expertise in the areas of building design and landscape architecture. This recruitment covers both positions on the Design Commission.
Desired attributes
We want people from every part of Portland here to share their voices on this committee, especially people who have not been involved before. If you want to serve your community and to help government make better choices, then we want to see your application. The attributes listed below are what will guide our selection process. It is helpful to be specific in your answers.
- You believe in the value of public participation in government processes.
- You want positive and long-lasting outcomes for communities who have been left out of public decision-making before.
- You can work collaboratively and effectively with people representing diverse interests.
- You are available to attend all meetings and participate in the discussions.
- You want to work collaboratively with applicants and agencies to serve the public good.
- You can share opinions respectfully.
Terms and time commitment
- The Design Commission traditionally meets on the first and third Thursday of each month, beginning at 1:30 p.m., virtually via a Zoom webinar platform. Most meetings last between two and four hours each. Sometimes a meeting can last up to six hours and sometimes a third meeting is scheduled in a month due to volume.
- Members serve a term of four years.
- Members are expected to prepare for meetings on their own time and arrive ready to discuss agenda items. Meeting materials for review are typically sent one week in advance.
We remove barriers
Please let us know if there are barriers to your participation. When in-person meetings resume, parking validation will be available for the parking garage at 1900 SW 4th Avenue.
Volunteer ethics
Those who serve on this advisory body are considered to be public officials, which means that you must serve fairly and ethically. We will provide training on this once you are appointed. Part of following Oregon's government ethics laws means you must tell the group when you or a relative may financially benefit (or avoid fees) by your recommendations. This is called a "conflict of interest." If you tell us about potential conflicts of interest, that does not mean you cannot serve. In fact, many committees have potential members with conflicts of interest. We appreciate your inclusion of possible conflicts of interest on the form included with the application.
Application process
Applications are due no later than 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025.
Please apply for appointment to the Design Commission here.
To talk with someone about this opportunity or to receive assistance completing the application, please contact the staff liaison, Tim Heron, at tim.heron@portlandoregon.gov or 503-823-7726.
Voluntary and confidential demographic information
The City of Portland is committed to diversity, inclusion, and equity. It uses the demographic information provided to help ensure that advisory body appointments represent a broad cross-section of community. Your information will not be used during the recruitment or the selection process. State and federal law prohibit use of this information to discriminate against you. The City will treat this information as confidential to the fullest extent allowed by law. Questions about this may be sent to AdvisoryBodies@Portlandoregon.gov.
General questions
For general questions about the City of Portland's Advisory Bodies program, the recruitment process, or other upcoming advisory body opportunities, please email AdvisoryBodies@Portlandoregon.gov.
For more information
For more information about the Design Commission, please visit its website.
You can also review the Design Commission's Annual 2025 State of the City Report. The Design Commission's 2025 Guide to Design Review is also available.