October 21, 2026
Portland City Council — October 21-22, 2026 Council agenda
10 decisions explained in plain language.
Citywide
City updates zoning rules to match new Oregon housing laws
Portland changed its zoning code, the rules for what can be built where, to follow new state laws passed in 2025 and 2026.
Decision: Passed, 11 to 1.
Details
The changes cover middle housing like duplexes and townhomes, limits on hearings and notices for some building reviews, where residential treatment facilities can go, and rebuilding homes damaged by natural causes. The state laws aim to remove local barriers and help more housing get built.
Who it affects: People who build, buy or rebuild homes, neighbors who get notice of nearby building projects, and groups that run residential treatment facilities.
Money: The city says there are no long-term costs and no change to staffing.
Next: The changes take effect January 1, 2027.
Yes 11: Clark, Green, Zimmerman, Avalos, Smith, Kanal, Pirtle-Guiney, Koyama Lane, Morillo, Novick, Dunphy · No 1: Ryan
Steps: October 14, 2026: Passed to second reading → October 21, 2026 (this meeting): Passed
Council opposes laws that would block climate lawsuits against oil companies
This resolution states that Portland opposes any federal or state law that would shield fossil fuel companies from lawsuits over climate change costs.
Decision: Adopted, 11 to 0. Councilor Zimmerman was absent.
Details
It also says Portland supports the right of cities, counties, tribes and states to sue or pass laws to hold those companies responsible for climate harms. A resolution is a formal statement of the council's position; this one does not file a lawsuit or spend money.
Who it affects: It states the city's position on the right of Portlanders and local governments to take fossil fuel companies to court, especially groups the city says face more harm from heat, smoke and flooding, like East Portland residents, communities of color and low-income residents.
Yes 11: Clark, Green, Avalos, Smith, Kanal, Pirtle-Guiney, Ryan, Koyama Lane, Morillo, Novick, Dunphy · Absent 1: Zimmerman
Council moves fall budget update forward to a final vote
This is the city's yearly fall budget update.
Decision: Council changed the ordinance with an amendment from Councilor Dunphy, 9 to 1. Smith voted no, and Zimmerman and Morillo were absent. The ordinance then moved to a second reading, the final step before a vote.
Details
It changes how much money is set aside in 69 city funds, based on how much money was left over when last fiscal year closed. It also changes the number of city jobs and sets starting budget targets for next year's General Fund, the city's main pot of money for basic services.
Who it affects: Many city programs and projects across Portland are affected. The city says no city policies change.
Money: Overall spending authority across 69 funds drops by a net $549.6 million. This is mostly an accounting change in how money held for future spending is recorded under state rules. Money in General Fund reserve accounts goes up by a net amount. The city set aside for unexpected costs is not stated as a number.
Next: Second reading on October 29, 2026 at 2:00 pm.
Steps: October 21, 2026 (this meeting): Passed to second reading as amended → October 28, 2026
City plans a savings cushion for swings in business tax money
This law would move the City's financial planning rules into City Code.
Decision: Passed to second reading. No final vote yet.
Details
It would also create a new savings fund for the Business License Tax, a tax on businesses that makes up close to 30 percent of the City's main general budget. That tax money rises and falls a lot from year to year, and the savings fund is meant to cover those swings.
Who it affects: It affects City budget planning, which pays for many city services used by residents.
Money: The goal is to keep savings equal to 15 percent of expected Business License Tax money, about $32.5 million for the 2026-27 budget year. The fund would be filled with one third of one-time extra general money and with leftover general money found during fall budget reviews. This fall, $2.5 million is proposed to go into the fund.
Next: Second reading and vote on October 29, 2026 at 2:00 pm.
Steps: October 21, 2026 (this meeting): Passed to second reading → October 28, 2026
Council sets the schedule for building next year's city budget
This sets the timeline the City Council will follow to build the city budget for the year starting July 2027.
Decision: Passed, 10 to 0, with 2 members absent. Before the final vote, the council changed the calendar details (Exhibits A and B) in a 9 to 1 vote.
Details
It includes planned public hearings and community listening sessions on the budget in each council district. It also sets council break dates for 2027 and changes some committee meeting dates to fit the budget work.
Who it affects: Residents who want to speak up about how the city spends money, since it sets when budget hearings and listening sessions happen.
Money: No cost. It is only a schedule for making budget decisions.
Yes 10: Clark, Green, Avalos, Smith, Kanal, Pirtle-Guiney, Ryan, Koyama Lane, Novick, Dunphy · Absent 2: Zimmerman, Morillo
Specific places or groups
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.
Decision: Passed with changes, 12 to 0.
Details
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.
Who it affects: About 105 secondhand dealer businesses in Portland, including 34 "occasional" dealers who will now pay the same fee as full-time dealers.
Money: The yearly application fee will be $450, down from a first proposal of $600, and it will rise with inflation each year. Prices have gone up 37% since the fee last changed in 2013. The fees pay for the city staff position that runs the program.
Next: The changes take effect January 1, 2027.
Yes 12: Clark, Green, Zimmerman, Avalos, Smith, Kanal, Pirtle-Guiney, Ryan, Koyama Lane, Morillo, Novick, Dunphy
Steps: October 14, 2026: Passed to second reading as amended → October 21, 2026 (this meeting): Passed as amended
City picks a different way to hire builders for streetcar extension
This lets the city skip the usual rule of hiring the lowest bidder to build the Montgomery Park Streetcar Extension.
Decision: Passed, 12 to 0.
Details
Instead, the city will ask builders for proposals and pick one to help during design and then build the project. This hiring method is called Construction Manager/General Contractor. The extension will carry the streetcar north on NW 23rd Avenue to new one-way tracks on NW Roosevelt and NW Wilson streets.
Who it affects: People who live, work or travel in Northwest Portland near NW 23rd Avenue and Montgomery Park.
Money: The builder's contract is estimated at $63 million to $73 million. The whole project is estimated at $195 million, including up to 12 new streetcars, with a federal grant expected to pay 50% to 60%. The city says these are early, low-confidence estimates. No new money was requested in this vote.
Next: Design and environmental review happen in 2026 and 2027, with more community outreach. Construction is expected to start in the 2029-30 budget year.
Yes 12: Clark, Green, Zimmerman, Avalos, Smith, Kanal, Pirtle-Guiney, Ryan, Koyama Lane, Morillo, Novick, Dunphy
Steps: October 14, 2026: Passed to second reading → October 21, 2026 (this meeting): Passed
City joins state and county in new group to oversee Moda Center
This lets the city sign an agreement with the State of Oregon and Multnomah County to create the Oregon Arena Joint Authority.
Decision: Passed, 8 to 4. An earlier motion by Councilor Green to change the item's impact statement failed, 5 to 7.
Details
This new group will oversee planning, paying for and running a proposed public renovation of the city-owned Moda Center. A state law requires this group before state money for the renovation can be used.
Who it affects: Portland taxpayers, Trail Blazers fans and people who attend or work at events at the Moda Center.
Money: This step has no direct cost to the city and does not commit the city to any lease or funding. The broader plan is a $573 million public renovation, including $365 million from the state and $101.6 million from the county.
Next: The council must still vote separately to approve a long-term lease with the Trail Blazers, who would have to agree to play there for at least 20 years, and to approve the city's share of the money. Lease talks with the team's management company are ongoing.
Yes 8: Clark, Zimmerman, Avalos, Smith, Pirtle-Guiney, Ryan, Novick, Dunphy · No 4: Green, Kanal, Koyama Lane, Morillo
Steps: October 14, 2026: Passed to second reading → October 21, 2026 (this meeting): Passed
Council names three city staff to oversee Moda Center renovation money
The council confirmed three city staff members to a new seven-member board called the Oregon Arena Joint Authority.
Decision: Confirmed, 12 to 0.
Details
The board, set up by the state, the city and Multnomah County, will watch over how public money is spent to renovate the city-owned Moda Center. The three are City Administrator Raymond C. Lee III, Building Official Natalie Didion and City Budget Office Deputy Director Brian Connell.
Who it affects: People who care about how public money is spent on the Moda Center, home of the Portland Trail Blazers.
Money: The appointments themselves cost nothing. The proposed public funding for the renovation is $573 million, including up to $365 million from the State of Oregon.
Next: The council will vote separately on the Joint Authority Agreement. The members serve until the renovation is finished.
Yes 12: Clark, Green, Zimmerman, Avalos, Smith, Kanal, Pirtle-Guiney, Ryan, Koyama Lane, Morillo, Novick, Dunphy
Steps: October 14, 2026: Continued → October 21, 2026 (this meeting): Confirmed
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.
Decision: Changed and sent to a second reading, which is a later vote. No vote count was given.
Details
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.
Who it affects: People with concealed handgun licenses who enter City buildings used for official meetings, plus staff and residents who attend those meetings.
Money: Small one-time costs for signs. No ongoing costs were identified.
Next: Second reading on October 28, 2026 at 9:30 am.
Steps: October 7, 2026: Rescheduled → October 14, 2026: Rescheduled → October 21, 2026 (this meeting): Passed to second reading as amended → October 28, 2026
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