Ensuring Updates Are Reflected in Municipal Code
Portland’s Municipal Code must be amended to ensure that it matches with the City Charter, which was updated by Portlanders in the November 2022 election, and to ensure that any updates to the city’s organizational chart, approved by City Council in November of 2023, are accurately reflected.
What is the Municipal Code?
The municipal code is the set of laws which have been formally approved by the City Council. They dictate everything from what authorities or responsibilities are given to each bureau to what regulations community members are required to follow when building or remodeling.
The City of Portland’s municipal code currently has 34 titles. A project team made up of representatives from the Charter Transition team, the City Attorney’s office, and the City Auditor’s office are reviewing each of the titles and working with bureau subject matter experts and leadership to draft updates. The updates will be focused four areas 1) matching code to the city’s charter; 2) incorporating the new organizational chart; 3) removing racist, sexist, ableist or other biased language; and 4) updates based on new state, federal or county laws.
Throughout this process the City of Portland will receive feedback and recommendations from the Government Transition Advisory Committee, a community oversight group being appointed to aid the city in implementing voters’ direction.
Proposed and Completed Updates
Below is a list of all Portland Municipal Code titles. When updates have been drafted, they will be linked below for public review and input. You can also access the current Municipal Code at Portland.gov/Code.
Title 1 General Provisions
Title 2 Legislation & Elections
Title 3 Administration – Updates to Chapter 3.02 completed. All other chapters under review.
Title 4 Original Art Murals
Title 5 Revenue and Finance
Title 6 Special Taxes
Title 7 Business Licenses
Title 8 Health and Sanitation
Title 9 Protected Sick Time
Title 10 Erosion and Sediment Control Regulations
Title 11 Trees
Title 12 (Repealed) – No Updates Required
Title 13 Bees and Livestock
Title 14 Public Order and Police
Title 15 Emergency Code -
Comments due by 5 p.m. Jan. 22, 2024. This update will go to Council in February.
Title 16 Vehicles and Traffic
Title 17 Public Improvements
Title 18 Noise Control
Title 19 Harbors
Title 20 Parks and Recreation
Title 21 Water
Title 22 Hearings Officer
Title 23 Civil Rights
Title 24 Building Regulations
Title 25 Plumbing Regulations
Title 26 Electrical Regulations
Title 27 Heating and Ventilating Regulations
Title 28 Floating Structures
Title 29 Property Maintenance Regulations
Title 30 Affordable Housing
Title 31 Fire Regulations
Title 32 Signs and Related Regulations
Title 33 Planning and Zoning
Title 34 Digital Justice – No Updates Required
Get Involved
The City of Portland is committed to transparency and accountability. Stay tuned for more information about the transition.