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Water service requirements for MHLD
Find water service options for your Middle Housing Land Division (MHLD) project in Portland. Water services for MHLDs differ from standard land division projects.
Water connection options for an MHLD:
- Header service
- Separate service
Any lot in an MHLD development may have its water service in an easement, provided that the meter is installed in some portion of the MHLD project's street frontage.
Learn more about each option:
Header service
A single large pipe is connected to the water main. The large pipe then feeds multiple smaller pipes that are connected to individual water meters.
Header services are usually the more economical option.
Location of water meters and services
Header services must be installed in the public right-of-way (with exceptions noted below).
When the meters serve other parcels, header services must be installed within the frontage of a private water easement.
Separate service
A single pipe is connected to the water main. The single pipe feeds a single water meter that serves each unit.
Location of water meters and services
Standard separation requirements for water services and meter boxes must be met as specified in the Water Bureau Engineering and Technical Standards Admin Rule (links to D, E, and F below).
How water gets to each lot
For MHLDs, water can go to each lot through private easements, even if the lot has street access (or right-of-way frontage). This rule only applies to lots created through MHLDs.
Fees
For MHLDs, fees for header service installations vary by location. System Development Charges apply to each water meter. Meter Equivalency doesn't apply to MHLD developments.
Site utility plan
For all MHLD building permit applications:
- Each meter must be labelled with the corresponding address.
- Existing water meters and services: Mark, label, and indicate if they will be removed or reused.
- Show the extent of the easement at the property's right-of-way frontage.
- Water services must be perpendicular to the curb for the entire portion within the right-of-way.
- If they serve another parcel, water services must be within the frontage of the private water easement.
- If they serve another parcel, water services must be within the frontage of the private water easement.
- Not all sites can accommodate header services. If there is less than 4 feet between the water main and the curb, there may not be enough space; separate taps must be installed instead.
- Alternatively, the header may be installed in an approved public easement on private property adjacent to the right-of-way. Visit the Challenging Sites section below.
Include one of these standard drawings in your plan set: P-783, P-785, P-787, or P-788.
Please refer to the MHLD Sample Utility and Services Plan for additional information.
Separate taps requirements
Water services in private easements
Any lot in an MHLD development may have its water service in an easement, provided that the meter is installed in some portion of the MHLD project's street frontage.
Header services must be installed within the frontage of a private water easement when the meters serve other parcels.
Site utility plans must show the extent of the easement at the property's right-of-way frontage.
Success tips
Follow these guidelines for a faster building permit review:
- You must provide a site utility plan with your building permit application. An accurate site utility plan that shows the right-of-way will help expedite the review process.
- We recommend, but don’t require, that you hire a surveyor to create the site utility plan rather than rely on data shown in PortlandMaps. PortlandMaps is not accurate enough for plan review.
- Call 811 for existing utility locates. Show on plans all existing water, sewer, and gas lines serving both sides of the street.
- Clearly label your plan as a Middle Housing Land Division project.
- Clearly label your proposed lot lines.
- Label and note existing water services to be used or disconnected.
- Show all easements on your site utility plan.
- Follow building permit submittal requirements.
- Use the Water Bureau's Engineering Admin Rule Appendix A for reference.
Challenging sites
No water main in front of the project
The applicant must pay to extend the water main when there is no water main in the property's frontage.
The water main is too small
The applicant must pay to upsize the water main if the existing main isn't big enough to serve the proposed development.
If the existing main is less than 6" in diameter, the Water Bureau planning will evaluate the capacity of the main.
Water main too close to the curb for header service
When an existing water main is too close to the curb to allow installation of a header service, the Water Bureau may approve installation of a header service on private property within an easement granted to the City of Portland for Water Bureau facilities and access. A Water Design Exception must be approved to pursue the public easement option.
If a Water Design Exception is not approved, either separate taps or a main relocation may be required.
Public Works Permit
If a Public Works Permit is required for your project, that design may impact the location of your water service.
Talk to your building permit reviewer for additional information.
Need help?
Schedule a free 15-minute appointment to discuss water services.