Police and public safety
Council decisions about police and public safety: 29 decisions. Map ›
October 2026
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Higher permit fee and one permit type for secondhand dealers
Secondhand dealers, such as pawn shops, music stores, sporting goods shops and jewelry buyers, need a city permit, which the city uses to help keep stolen goods from being sold. This change sets the yearly permit fee at $450, ties it to inflation each year, and ends the cheaper "occasional" dealer category. It also spells out what a permit application must include, both for a new permit and for each yearly renewal.
City of Portland · October 21, 2026 · Passed with changes, 12 to 0.
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Council moves to ban concealed handguns in some city meeting buildings
Guns are already banned in City buildings, but people with a concealed handgun license have had a legal excuse, called an affirmative defense, that protected them. This change removes that excuse in certain City buildings used for official meetings, as a 2025 state law (SB 243) now allows. The City Administrator will set rules naming the buildings, post signs at entrances and on the City website, and use warnings and removal from the building before calling police.
City of Portland · October 21, 2026 · Changed and sent to a second reading, which is a later vote. No vote count was given.
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Proposal to ban concealed handguns in some city meeting buildings, vote rescheduled
Guns are already banned in City buildings, but people with a state concealed handgun license can use that license as a legal defense if they carry one there. This change would remove that defense in certain City buildings where official government meetings happen. The City Administrator would pick the buildings, post signs at their entrances and list them on the City website.
City of Portland · October 14, 2026 · Rescheduled. No vote was taken.
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Council weighs rule to cut fuel storage in quake-risk Northwest Portland area
This proposed law would require the 11 large fuel terminals in a six-mile area along the Willamette River in northwest Portland to cut their fuel storage space by at least 20 percent by December 1, 2036. The area, called the Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Hub, holds or moves more than 90 percent of Oregon's liquid fuel and sits on soil that could turn loose in a major earthquake, which could make tanks fail and spill fuel. Terminals would have to report how much they store, and tanks used only for jet fuel, regulated utilities like NW Natural, and certain pipeline tanks would be exempt.
City of Portland · October 7, 2026 · Council made two changes and delayed a final vote. The change called Novick 4 passed 8 to 4. The change called Kanal 2 passed 10 to 2. Two other proposed changes were withdrawn. The item was continued to November 5, 2026. · District 2, District 3, District 4
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City can take temporary property rights for SE Division safety project
This lets the city get temporary use of some private property needed to build safety changes on SE Division Street between SE 148th and SE 174th Avenues. The project adds a raised center median (a curbed strip in the middle of the road) in place of parts of the shared left-turn lane, plus curb ramps for people with disabilities and better crosswalks. The city will try to agree on a fair price with owners first, and can go to court to take the rights if no deal is reached.
City of Portland · October 7, 2026 · Passed, 12 to 0. · District 1
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City can take temporary use of land for SE Stark crossing work
This lets the transportation bureau get temporary rights to use parts of private property near SE 119th Ave and SE Stark St so it can build new curb ramps for wheelchairs and a safety island for people crossing the street. The city will try to agree on a fair price with owners first. If they cannot agree, the city can use eminent domain, which means going to court to get the rights and have a judge set fair payment.
City of Portland · October 7, 2026 · Passed, 12 to 0. · District 1
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City updates fire permit and inspection fees to cover more costs
This updates the fees Portland Fire & Rescue charges for permits, inspections, plan reviews and other fire safety services. Some fees go up so they better match what the services actually cost, and less money comes from the city's main tax-funded budget (the General Fund). It removes the fee for selling or storing fireworks, since fireworks are banned, and adds new fees for fire system testing and maintenance and for a yearly laser display permit.
City of Portland · October 7, 2026 · Passed with changes, 9 to 2. One member was absent.
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Plan to bar concealed handgun license holders' guns in some city buildings
Guns are already banned in many City buildings, but people with a concealed handgun license have had a legal excuse (called an "affirmative defense") if caught carrying one. A 2025 state law lets cities remove that excuse in buildings used for official government meetings. This proposal would remove it in certain City buildings, with signs at entrances and a list of buildings posted on the City website.
City of Portland · October 7, 2026 · Rescheduled to a later meeting. No vote was taken.
September 2026
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Police to treat personal use of natural psychedelics as low priority
This adds a new section to city law about natural psychedelics, like mushrooms and plants. It makes non-commercial personal use a low priority for police. Police will still act against illegal sales, impaired driving and other unsafe behavior.
City of Portland · September 30, 2026 · Passed with changes, 10 to 0. Two councilors were absent.
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City moves to get temporary property rights for SE Division safety project
This would let the city's transportation bureau get temporary use of parts of some private properties along SE Division Street between SE 148th and SE 174th Avenues. The city can use eminent domain, which is its legal power to take property rights for public use while paying owners a fair price, if talks with owners fail. The project adds a raised center median in place of parts of the center turn lane, plus curb ramps for people with disabilities and better crosswalks.
City of Portland · September 30, 2026 · Moved to a second reading. No final vote yet. · District 1
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City may use eminent domain for temporary access on SE Stark Street
This lets the city get temporary rights to use parts of private property so it can build safety upgrades at SE 119th Ave and SE Stark St. Eminent domain is the city's legal power to take property rights for public use, as long as it pays owners a fair price. The city will try to agree on payment with owners first, and can go to court if they cannot agree.
City of Portland · September 30, 2026 · Moved to a second reading. No vote is listed yet. · District 1
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City updates fire permit and inspection fees to cover more costs
This updates the fees Portland Fire & Rescue charges for permits, inspections, plan reviews and other fire safety services. Some fees go up so they match what the services actually cost, which means less tax money from the city's main budget (the General Fund) pays for them. It removes the fee for selling or storing fireworks, since fireworks were banned in 2022, and adds new fees for fire system inspection and testing and for a yearly laser display permit.
City of Portland · September 30, 2026 · Moved forward to a second vote, with changes. No vote count was given.
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Council changes fuel terminal safety rules, delays final vote to November
This plan sets new rules for the 11 large fuel storage sites in the Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Hub, a six-mile stretch along the Willamette River in northwest Portland. More than 90 percent of Oregon's liquid fuel passes through these sites, and many tanks could fail in a major earthquake. The rules would limit how much more fuel the sites can store, require new tanks to meet the highest earthquake standards, and require city review before sites can expand fuel transfer equipment or add up to 5 percent more storage for aviation fuel.
City of Portland · September 30, 2026 · Council approved one set of changes, 12 to 0. A second set of changes failed, 5 to 7. The final vote was delayed to November 5, 2026. · District 3, District 4
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Council changes fuel tank cutback rules, delays final vote to October 7
This proposed law would require the 11 large fuel storage sites in northwest Portland's Critical Energy Infrastructure Hub to cut their storage capacity by at least 20 percent by December 1, 2036. The area sits on soil that could turn loose in a major earthquake, so tanks could fail and spill fuel. Fuel sites would have to report what they store, and they could face fines for breaking the rules.
City of Portland · September 30, 2026 · Not final yet. Council added four changes, 10 to 2: a direction to study other approaches, inventory and reporting rules, penalties, and continued talks with the public and industry. A change to remove the exemption for airplane fuel tanks failed on a 6 to 6 tie. Another proposed change from Councilor Novick was offered but not voted on. The item was continued to October 7, 2026. · District 2, District 3, District 4
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City accepts $207,411 state grant for police to stop street takeovers
This lets the city spend $207,411.35 from an Oregon Department of Transportation grant to fight street racing and street takeovers. The money pays for police overtime and equipment such as portable cameras to break up these events and charge people who break traffic laws. Council also moved $10,370.57 from a city reserve fund to the Office of Community Based Police Accountability.
City of Portland · September 23, 2026 · Passed with changes, 11 to 1. Two changes were added first: one passed 8 to 4 and one passed 12 to 0. It is an emergency ordinance, so it takes effect right away.
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Police get state grant for crash drones and electronic ticket printers
The city accepts $103,069 from the Oregon Department of Transportation's Traffic Safety Office for the Portland Police Bureau. The money buys crash investigation drones, a crash investigation computer, and mobile printers so officers can write tickets electronically instead of on paper. It also pays for officer training on these tools.
City of Portland · September 23, 2026 · Passed as amended, 9 to 3. Council first approved a change proposed by Councilor Kanal, 7 to 5. It then added an emergency clause, 11 to 1, so the law takes effect right away and the items can be bought before the grant ends.
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Portland updates its fire safety rules to match new state code
This updates Portland's fire safety rules to follow the 2025 Oregon Fire Code, which is based on the 2024 International Fire Code. Portland runs its own fire rules, so the city must adopt the state code itself, with some local changes and clearer wording. Because it is an emergency ordinance, it takes effect right away instead of after the usual waiting period.
City of Portland · September 23, 2026 · Passed with a technical amendment, 12 to 0.
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Council moves to make personal psychedelic use a low police priority
This new city law would make police treat personal, non-commercial use of natural psychedelic plants and mushrooms as a low priority. Police would still enforce laws against illegal sales, impaired driving and other unsafe behavior. The goal is to focus police and health resources on trafficking and drugs linked to overdose deaths.
City of Portland · September 23, 2026 · Changed and moved forward to a second reading, a required second vote before it can become law. No vote count was given.
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Fire department fees for permits and inspections set to rise
This updates the fees Portland Fire & Rescue charges for permits, inspections, plan reviews and other fire safety services so they cover more of the real cost. It drops the permit fee for selling or storing fireworks, since the city banned fireworks in 2022, and adds new fees for fire system inspection, testing and maintenance and for a yearly laser display permit. It does not change fire safety rules.
City of Portland · September 23, 2026 · Rescheduled to a later meeting at this session. City records list the ordinance as passed.
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Council weighs new limits on fuel storage in northwest Portland
This would further limit how much fuel the 11 existing fuel terminals in the Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Hub can store. The Hub is a six-mile strip along the Willamette River where most of Oregon's fuel is stored, on soil that can turn soft in a big earthquake. New tanks would have to meet the highest earthquake safety standards, and expanding fuel transfer equipment or adding a small amount of jet fuel storage (up to 5 percent per terminal) would need a special city review.
City of Portland · September 23, 2026 · Continued to October 1, 2026 at 2:00 pm. Spoken testimony is closed. Written testimony is accepted until October 1, 2026 at 12:00 pm. · District 3, District 4
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Council weighs cutting fuel storage at northwest Portland fuel tank hub
This proposed law would require the 11 big fuel terminals in the Critical Energy Infrastructure (CEI) Hub, a six-mile stretch along the Willamette River in northwest Portland, to cut their fuel storage capacity by at least 20 percent by December 1, 2036. The goal is to lower the danger of tanks failing and spilling fuel in a major earthquake. Tanks used only for aviation fuel, regulated public utilities like NW Natural, and certain pipeline tanks would not have to cut.
City of Portland · September 23, 2026 · Not voted on yet. The spoken testimony part is closed, and Council continued the item to October 1, 2026 at 2:00 pm. · District 2, District 3, District 4
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City moves to foreclose on troubled NE Sandy Blvd property over unpaid liens
The City will start foreclosure to sell 7545 NE Sandy Blvd because the owner has not paid City liens. A lien is a legal claim on a property for money owed. These liens came from code violations, nuisance cleanup and related enforcement at a vacant, distressed property that the City says has caused problems for neighbors, including frequent police calls.
City of Portland · September 16, 2026 · Passed, 11 to 0. One member (Smith) was absent. · District 3
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City moves to foreclose on troubled Sandy Boulevard property over unpaid liens
The city will start foreclosure on 7545 NE Sandy Blvd to collect unpaid city liens, which are debts tied to the property for code violations and nuisance cleanup. The city says the vacant, run-down property has caused problems for neighbors and drawn many police calls. The city plans to sell the property to recover what it is owed.
City of Portland · September 16, 2026 · Passed, 11 to 0. One council member (Smith) was absent. · District 3
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City moves to foreclose on N Columbia Blvd property over unpaid fines
The City will start foreclosure on a property on N Columbia Blvd because the owner has not paid City liens. A lien is a legal claim on a property for money owed. These liens came from code violations, nuisance cleanup and other enforcement, and the City says the vacant, distressed property has caused problems for neighbors, including frequent police calls.
City of Portland · September 16, 2026 · Passed, 11 to 0. One member, Smith, was absent. · District 2
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City moves to foreclose on troubled property on SE Division Street
The city will start foreclosure to sell 7101–7103 SE Division St because the owner has not paid city liens. A lien is a legal claim on a property for money owed; these came from code violations, nuisance cleanup and other enforcement. The city says the vacant property has caused problems for neighbors, including frequent police calls.
City of Portland · September 16, 2026 · Passed, 11 to 0. One member, Smith, was absent. · District 3
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City moves to foreclose on problem property at 5706 SE Lambert St
The city will start foreclosure to sell a vacant, distressed property at 5706 SE Lambert St because the owner has not paid city liens. A lien is a legal claim on a property for money owed; these came from code violations, nuisance cleanups and similar enforcement. The city says the property has caused major problems for neighbors, including frequent police calls.
City of Portland · September 16, 2026 · Passed, 11 to 0. Councilor Smith was absent. · District 3
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City moves to foreclose on troubled NE Alberta Street property over unpaid liens
The City will start foreclosure to sell 2734-2738 NE Alberta St because the owner has not paid City liens. A lien is a legal claim on a property for money owed. These liens came from code violations, nuisance cleanup and other enforcement, and the City says the property has caused problems for neighbors, including frequent police calls.
City of Portland · September 16, 2026 · Passed, 11 to 0. Councilor Smith was absent. · District 2
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State grant pays police overtime to stop street racing and takeovers
The city accepts $207,411.35 from the Oregon Department of Transportation's traffic safety office. The money pays Portland Police overtime to break up and prevent street racing and street takeover events, and buys equipment like deployable cameras. These events have blocked emergency access, and the city says 12 homicides since 2021 were linked to them.
City of Portland · September 16, 2026 · Moved forward to a second reading on September 23, 2026. No vote count was given.
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Police get $103,069 state grant for traffic tickets and crash drones
This lets the city spend a $103,069 state grant on Portland Police traffic work. It pays for officer training, printers to write tickets electronically instead of on paper, drones to document crash scenes, and a computer for crash investigations. The goal is shorter traffic stops, faster crash scene work so roads reopen sooner, and better data to guide enforcement.
City of Portland · September 16, 2026 · Moved to a second reading on September 23, 2026. The listing shows the ordinance as passed, but no vote count was given.