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Portland is a Sanctuary City

Find sanctuary city resources from the City of Portland's Immigrant & Refugee Program, including free legal services and state resources for reporting hate crimes, bias incidents, discrimination, and violations of Oregon's sanctuary laws.

Services, Guides, and Information

54 services and resources found
How to apply for a public works alternative review for your development project. The City’s process for evaluating alternatives to full standard frontage improvements when they are infeasible or impractical.
Apply for and receive your UC Permit by email. Environmental Services issues UC Permits that are required for private lateral connections to public sewer laterals or mains. See the Guide to UR and UC Permits for more details.
Apply for and receive a UR Permit by email. Environmental Services issues UR Permits for lateral repairs in the right-of-way (ROW), typically from property line to curb. See the Guide to UR and UC Permits for more details. Development Services issues permits for private property sewer work.

Basins

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Basins collect rainwater to control flooding and prevent erosion. They are an attractive way to manage the rain on your property and can add interest to your landscape. They are most suitable for large, open spaces. 
All mainline sewer extensions must request a public works permit. However, short sanitary sewers (less than 100 feet) can be considered for permitting under a BES Simplified Sewer Permit. Learn more and how to apply for a BES Simplified Sewer Permit.
Public Works Construction content is coming soon.
The Commercial Meter Sizing Form is used to determine the correct meter size for all fixtures (such as sinks, toilets, and hose bibs) in a commercial or mixed-use development.
Environmental Services provides sewer service within the City of Portland. Properties outside the City of Portland limits may qualify for City sewer services if they are within the Portland Urban Services Boundary (USB). This page provides guidance on connecting to the sewer from outside the City.
This page lists phone numbers for development managers and supervisors at Contact Managers and Supervisors
Most developed properties in Portland are connected to the public sewer system, but some properties still use private septic systems. Learn more about when septic systems are allowed and when properties on septic might be required to connect to the City sewer.
Where soils soak up water and yards don’t have steep slopes, disconnecting your downspouts to direct water from your roof to your yard can be a simple, inexpensive, effective, and easy way to manage the rain on your property.

Drywells

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A drywell is a long-term and low-maintenance way to manage the rain on your property. It may be a good solution for a property where erosion and flooding are a frequent concern. Drywells are underground, so they will not change the visual appearance of your space.

Ecoroofs

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Ecoroofs are an attractive way to manage the rain on your property without altering the landscape. An ecoroof, also known as a green roof, can be a good solution for properties with little or no yard or patio space.
This guidance can help applicants and designers understand how the City's Stormwater Management Manual requirements apply to construction projects in the public right-of-way.
By approving the Central City 2035 Plan, Council enacted a new ecoroof requirement that applies to most buildings in the Central City Plan District. Here, we provide clarification for how the requirement of CC2035 relates to the Stormwater Management Manual.
When you repair a sewer lateral or need a new connection to the public sewer system either in the right-of-way or in a public easement, a permit is needed. For sewer contractors and property owners. Get information about Utility Repair (UR) and Utility Connection (UC) permits.
Thank you for managing the rain on your property! Follow these important steps to make sure your rain garden, basin, planter, swale, disconnected downspouts, or other stormwater management facility keeps working safely and as designed.
Use the guidance below to determine if your right-of-way project triggers requirements of the 2020 Stormwater Management Manual.
When public improvements require stormwater management, four options are potentially available to meet SWMM requirements in the right-of-way depending on the specific characteristics of the project. Projects can include a combination of these options.
Trees are a readily available and natural way to manage the rain on your property. Trees are easy to plant and low-cost. Learn about the types of trees best suited for your property before planting.
When you receive notice that sewer is available in your area or that you have a nonconforming sewer, you may be required to connect to the sewer branch at your property line or install a sewer lateral from your property to the public sewer. This page has resources to help you through that process.
Stormwater management solutions such as rain gardens, rain barrels, ecoroofs, or trees can help manage the rain on your property to protect our rivers and streams. Learn more about the different stormwater management solutions here.
Find commonly used technical resources for public works permitting projects including transportation, sewer, stormwater, trees, and water manuals and standards.
This page details the sanitary sewer service options that are available to builders and developers who are considering Middle Housing Land Division (MHLD) projects in Portland.
At the end of the 2-year maintenance warranty, public works permit applicants must deliver to the City well-established and functioning stormwater management facilities. Environmental Services offers applicants two options for maintenance during the warranty period.
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