Please note that this page is in the process of being updated and migrated to the Bureau of Planning and Sustainability.
The Zoning Code changes (As-Adopted Draft) were adopted in December 2019 and will take effect on March 1, 2020 (Ordinance 189784)
- A second ordinance was also passed (Ordinance 189785, Exhibit A and B) that allows 18 specific affordable housing projects to use the bicycle parking requirements that were in place in 2019. Due to the unique funding and timeline issues that affordable housing projects typically face, this ordinance recognizes that upcoming affordable housing projects may take a longer time to achieve full funding and that their financing packages were developed based on previous bicycle parking zoning code requirements.
Bicycle Parking Code Update Project Overview
The City of Portland envisions a vibrant city, where 25% of all trips are made using a bicycle. To reach this goal, the City will need to build a connected and safe network of bicycle infrastructure. However, the journey does not end when someone riding a bicycle leaves the road. End-of-trip facilities, including an accessible place to safely and securely park a bicycle is a key component of creating an attractive and functional bike network.
The Bicycle Parking Code Update Project is focused on ensuring new development and major redevelopment is providing adequate, secure and convenient short- and long-term bicycle parking.
Why do this project now?
- The Portland Bicycle Plan calls for an increase in the citywide bicycle mode split to 25% by 2030.
- Requirements have not kept pace with growth in Portland population and ridership.
- Need to accommodate all types of bicycles and people of all abilities that ride bicycles.
- Bicycle theft and security concerns are growing.
What are some of the major issues being addressed in this project?
The project includes a number of elements for updating the bicycle parking chapter, including:
- Enhance security standards to help prevent bike theft.
- Increase options for space saving racks.
- Usability for a variety of types of bicycles and people of all abilities.
- Update the minimum required amounts of short- and long-term bicycle parking.
- Expand the use of geographic tiers to all Use Categories.
- Reduce the in-unit allowance for required long-term bicycle parking.
How were early code concepts developed?
Development of the early code concepts were informed by a range of public involvement activities, including some of the following:
- Stakeholder Advisory Committee - To facilitate a conversation among the various interested parties, PBOT convened a Stakeholder Advisory Committee to advise on the preliminary phase to inform the update to the bicycle parking chapter. The Committee met seven times from February 2016 to October 2017. The culmination of the Committee's work was formalized in a Recommendation Report and presented to the Portland Planning and Sustainability Commission in November 2017.
- Apartment Community Survey - In March 2017, staff conducted an online community survey to gather input from people who live in apartment buildings and own bicycles. The user survey asked a range of questions including: the name of the apartment building, the number of bikes owned by the household, the major challenges of parking a bicycle at the building, and the user's preference for where to park their bicycle.
- Online Open House - Prior to wrapping up the Stakeholder Advisory Committee's Recommendation Report, staff conducted a much more comprehensive Online Open House to gather feedback on the entire package of recommendations coming from the Stakeholder Advisory Committee. The Online Open House provided an early opportunity for public feedback on the early code concepts.
- Site Visits and Case Studies - Throughout 2017 and 2018, staff conducted site visits to apartment buildings to tour bicycle parking facilities and interview property managers about bicycle parking. Site visits have been valuable for staff to assess various bicycle parking configurations in action, assess the usage rates of bicycle parking facilities, and see what is working and what isn't working for bicycle parking at specific apartment buildings.
City Council Adoption (December 2019)
As-Adopted Draft - Staff Report and Code Amendments
- As-Adopted Draft - summary and analysis of adopted Bicycle Parking Zoning Code amendments and commentary.
- Memo of adopted amendments by City Council.
- Council Ordinance 189784: Update Bicycle Parking amend Title 33
- Council Ordinance 189785: Establish standards for bicycle parking for City funded affordable housing projects designed but not yet permitted ordinance
- Exhibit A and B of Ordinance 189785: Alternate standards for affordable housing projects and list of 18 applicable projects.
Additional information related to the alternate bicycle parking requirements for 18 specific affordable housing projects, per Ordinance 189785:
- Which projects are eligible and what bicycle parking requirements will apply?
- Exhibit B lists the eighteen specific projects that were identified as part of this ordinance (see link below).
- Exhibit A represents the bicycle parking standards that these projects used in determining development cost and that will be the applicable requirements for the final construction pursuant to Portland Housing Bureau financial award commitment letters.
- Link to Exhibit A and B: https://www.portlandoregon.gov/transportation/article/751053
- What is the process for these applicants?
- In order to be eligible for alternate requirements, applicants representing the 18 specific projects need to request and receive a letter of eligibility from the Portland Housing Bureau.
- This approval will be required as part of the land use review application or permit applications.
- These alternate requirements will expire June 30, 2022.