Overlay Zones

To find the zoning on your property, visit Portland Zoning.

View full size image of Overlay Zones Map

These overlay zones are shown on the official zoning maps with the following lower-case letters: 

• b – Buffer Zone
  • The buffer overlay zone requires additional buffering between nonresidential and residential zones.
  • Reference: 33.410 Buffer Zone
• d – Design Overlay Zone
  • The design overlay zone is applied to areas where design and neighborhood character are of special concern.
  • Reference: 33.420 Design Overlay Zone, Design Review, and Design Standards.
• c or p – Environmental Zone
  • Environmental overlay zones require protection of some resources and functional values that have been identified by the City as providing benefits to the public.
  • Reference: 33.430 Environmental Zones, Environmental Review, and Environmental Plan Check.
• f – Future Urban Zone
  • The future urban overlay zone limits development in future urban areas.
  • Reference: 33.435 Future Urban Zone
• g* or e – River Overlay Zones
  • The river overlay zones generally promote the protection, conservation, restoration, enhancement, and maintenance of the economic, natural, scenic, and recreational qualities of lands along the central reach of the Willamette River.
  • Reference: 33.475 River Overlay Zones
• g, i, n, q, or r – Greenway Zones
  • The greenway overlay zones affect some property located along the Willamette River. See Chapter 33.440 Greenway Overlay Zones and Greenway and Greenway Goal Exception Review.
• h – Aircraft Landing Zone
  • The aircraft landing zone limits the height of structures and vegetation in the vicinity of the Portland International Airport.
  • Find the height limits of a property in the “h” overlay zone on PortlandMaps Explorer.
  • Reference: 33.400 Aircraft Landing Zone
• Historic Resource Protection Overlay Zone (not displayed on maps)
  • The historic resource protection overlay zone protects certain historic resources such as historic landmarks and conservation landmarks, and certain resources in historic or conservation districts.
  • Reference: 33.445 Historic Resource Overlay Zone and Historic Resource Reviews
• k – Prime Industrial Zones
  • The prime industrial overlay zone protects land that has been identified in the Comprehensive Plan as Prime Industrial, and prioritizes these areas for long-term retention.
  • Reference: 33.471 Prime Industrial Overlay Zones
• m – Centers Main Street Overlay Zone
  • The centers main street overlay zone encourages a mix of commercial, residential, and employment uses on the key main streets within town centers and neighborhood centers.
  • Reference: 33.415 Centers Main Street Overlay Zone
• s – Scenic Resource Zone
  • The scenic resource overlay zone establishes height limits within view corridors to protect significant views and establishes additional landscaping and screening standards to preserve and enhance identified scenic resources.
  • Reference: 33.480 Scenic Resource Zone
• v – Pleasant Valley Natural Resources Overlay Zone
  • The Pleasant Valley natural resources overlay zone integrates the significant natural resources into a new urban community in Pleasant Valley.
  • Reference: 33.564 Pleasant Valley Plan District
• x – Portland International Airport Noise Impact Zone
  • The Portland International Airport noise impact overlay zone reduces the impact of aircraft noise on development within the noise impact area surrounding the Portland International Airport.
  • Find specific noise restrictions of a property in the "x" overlay zone on PortlandMaps Explorer.
  • Reference: 33.470 Portland International Airport Noise Impact Zone and Zoning Code Information Guide: Portland International Airport Noise Impact Overlay Zone.
• z – Constrained Sites Overlay Zone
  • The constrained sites overlay zone reduces the development on sites that have certain development constraints and are unsuitable for three or more dwelling units.
  • Reference: 33.418 Constrained Sites Overlay Zone

If your property has an overlay zone, you will need to review its regulations to determine whether your proposal is allowed or requires review.

Need help?

If you have questions after reviewing the information on this page, please schedule a free 15-minute appointment with a city planner or set up an Early Assistance meeting for a deeper discussion.