Permitting & Development — Intro
Overview of the Zoning Code
Source: Overview of the Zoning Code ↗
The Portland Zoning Code (Title 33 ↗) is intended to implement Portland’s Comprehensive (or long-range) Plan and related land use plans in a manner that protects the health, safety, and general welfare of the citizens of Portland.
The boundaries of the base zones, overlay zones, and plan districts are shown on the official zoning maps ↗ of the City of Portland. The maps also show the location of historic landmarks, existing and planned public recreational trails, and other zoning features.
Zoning regulations
Several types of zoning regulations may affect a property. You will need to research all of these regulations to determine what is allowed on your property.
- Base Zones ↗ - All properties within the City of Portland have a base zone. The base zones include residential zones, commercial zones, and employment and industrial zones.
- Overlay Zones ↗ - Some properties have overlay zones that consist of regulations that address specific subjects in particular areas of the City. For example, the design overlay ‘d’ is applied to areas where design and neighborhood character are of special concern.
- Plan Districts ↗ - Some areas of the City are located within plan districts that may have additional regulations that can impact a project. For example, the Portland International Airport is in a plan district with special requirements for building height and vegetation that can be planted.
- Additional use and development regulations ↗- Some uses and development types have additional regulations that apply. For example, school uses or parking lots have additional regulations that apply.
Hierarchy of regulations
In general, an area with base zoning, overlay zoning, or an area in a plan district is subject to all the regulations of each. Where a land division is requested, the land division regulations also must be met.
When the regulations have different requirements for the same standard (such as setbacks or ground floor windows), unless specifically indicated otherwise, the following rules apply:
- Plan district regulations superscede regulations in overlay zones, base zones, and land division series of chapters.
- Overlay zone regulations supersede regulations in base zones and land division series of chapters.
- Plan district and overlay zone regulations also supersede conflicting regulations for a specific use or development stated in the additional use and development regulations series of chapters.
- The regulations in the additional use and development regulations series of chapters supersede regulations in the land division series of chapters
- When regulations at the same level conflict, those that are more specific to the situation apply.
For more information on the hierarchy of the zoning code, view Chapter 33.700, Administration and Enforcement ↗.
Zoning maps
Find zoning regulations for a site and search zoning maps: Find Zoning Regulations and Zoning Maps ↗.