Updates to Title 15, Emergency Code are anticipated for a first reading at council in February 2024. Draft language for Title 15 is posted for community review and input on the website dedicated to updating city code.
Title 15 describes how, and by whom, an emergency may be declared in the City of Portland and what authorities are granted under an emergency declaration. As part of the process to match this code with the amended Portland City Charter, the transition team worked with the Portland Bureau of Emergency Management and reviewed Oregon state laws, FEMA recommendations and requirements, as well as emergency codes from other similar and similarly sized cities such as Seattle, Denver, Baltimore, Washington DC, and Milwaukie to ensure the proposed code meets national best practices.
Questions and comments on draft language welcome until Jan. 22
Submit questions or provide comments on the proposed amendments or draft language. Input or suggestions will be considered if submitted on Monday, Jan. 22, 2024, by 5 p.m. PST.
An ordinance approving the final proposed code language is anticipated to be considered by council on Feb. 21 and 28, for first and second readings. Public testimony will be allowed at first reading. The proposed amendments to the code will be effective Jan. 1, 2025.
Background: City code must match revisions to Portland’s Charter as approved by voters in November 2022
A core team with representatives from the City Attorney’s office and the City Auditor’s office are leading the code review project. Additionally, subject matter experts from each bureau advise the project team on process and bureau needs.
Amendments to Chapter 2.08, Elections of Candidates, and Chapter 3.02, Council Operations and Procedure, are already complete. Updates to Title 5 - Revenue and Finance, Title 6 – Special Taxes, and Title 7 - Business Licenses are anticipated for first reading in March 2024.
Follow the project at Portland Transition: Updating City Code | Portland.gov