October 14, 2026
Portland City Council — October 14-15, 2026 Council agenda
14 decisions explained in plain language.
Citywide
Portland updates zoning rules to match new Oregon housing laws
This changes Portland's zoning code, the rules for what can be built where, to follow five state laws passed in 2025 and 2026.
Decision: Moved forward to a second reading. Public testimony is closed. No vote count was given.
Details
The changes cover middle housing (like duplexes and townhouses), limits on hearings and notices for some land use reviews, where residential treatment facilities can go, and rebuilding homes damaged by natural causes. The city says it has no choice but to make these changes.
Who it affects: People building or rebuilding homes, neighbors who get notice of land use decisions, and groups siting residential treatment facilities in Portland.
Money: The city says there are no long-term budget or staffing impacts.
Next: Second reading on October 21, 2026 at 6:15 pm. If passed, the changes take effect January 1, 2027.
Steps: October 14, 2026 (this meeting): Passed to second reading → October 21, 2026: Passed
New rules for private pay parking lots: better signs, photo proof for tickets
This changes city rules for privately run parking lots, including lots where you pay and park.
Decision: Passed, 10 to 0, with 2 councilors absent.
Details
Lots must post clearer signs about their rules, and operators must take photos when they issue a parking penalty notice. It also raises the one-time permit application fee for lot operators to match inflation and adds a yearly inflation adjustment.
Who it affects: People who park in private pay-and-park or free private lots, and the companies that run them, about 164 permitted lots run by 11 operators.
Money: The operator application fee goes up to account for inflation, which has risen 50% since the fee was last changed in 2009. The fee will then adjust for inflation each year. The money helps pay for the city staff who oversee these lots. Exact new fee amounts were not given.
Next: The changes take effect January 1, 2027.
Yes 10: Clark, Green, Zimmerman, Kanal, Pirtle-Guiney, Ryan, Koyama Lane, Morillo, Novick, Dunphy · Absent 2: Avalos, Smith
Steps: October 7, 2026: Passed to second reading → October 14, 2026 (this meeting): Passed
City starts process to consider pausing commercial drone facility construction
State law says the city must warn a state land-use agency 45 days before it can adopt a moratorium, which is a temporary ban on building.
Decision: Passed, 11 to 0. One councilor was absent.
Details
This vote tells the City Attorney to send that notice about facilities that support commercial drones. It does not create a ban or change any building rules; it also lets the Council President handle related paperwork and legal steps, but not decide on the ban.
Who it affects: Companies that want to build facilities for commercial drones, and neighbors who have contacted council about these facilities.
Next: After the 45-day notice period, council can consider whether to adopt a temporary ban. Council expects public testimony as part of that decision.
Yes 11: Clark, Green, Zimmerman, Avalos, Kanal, Pirtle-Guiney, Ryan, Koyama Lane, Morillo, Novick, Dunphy · Absent 1: Smith
City moves toward joint state-county group to oversee Moda Center renovation
This lets the City Administrator sign an agreement with the State of Oregon and Multnomah County to create the Oregon Arena Joint Authority.
Decision: Moved to a second reading, a required later vote, on October 21, 2026. No vote count was given.
Details
This new group would oversee planning, paying for, renovating and running the city-owned Moda Center. 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 proposed renovation would cost $573 million in public money, including $365 million from the State and $101.6 million from the County. The City's share and a 20-year Trail Blazers lease still need separate council approval.
Next: Second reading on October 21, 2026 at 6:00 pm. Separate future council votes are needed on a new Trail Blazers lease and City funding.
Steps: October 14, 2026 (this meeting): Passed to second reading → October 21, 2026: Passed
Specific places or groups
Council weighs zoning changes to add housing and businesses downtown
This plan changes zoning rules in the Central City, which covers downtown and nearby areas, to make it easier to build housing and help businesses recover after the pandemic.
Decision: Continued. Spoken testimony is closed. Written testimony is accepted until October 15, 2026 at 4:00 pm, and the item returns to council then.
Details
It would let some industrial land hold homes and shops, allow taller buildings, and allow more kinds of businesses, including food carts. Food cart rule changes would apply across the city where food carts are allowed.
Who it affects: Property owners, builders, businesses, food cart operators and residents in the Central City, plus food cart operators citywide.
Next: Written record closes and council takes the item up again October 15, 2026 at 4:00 pm. If passed, the changes take effect March 1, 2027.
Steps: October 14, 2026 (this meeting): Continued → October 28, 2026
City raises yearly permit fee for payday lenders to match inflation
Payday lenders, businesses that make small short-term loans, must get a yearly city permit.
Decision: Passed, 10 to 0, with 2 councilors absent.
Details
This raises that permit fee by about 60%, the first increase since the program began in 2006. The fee will also rise each year with inflation.
Who it affects: The 5 payday lending businesses that hold city permits, located in Districts 1 and 2.
Money: The annual permit fee goes up about 60%, close to the 55% rise in prices since 2006. The money helps pay for the city staff who regulate these lenders. Exact dollar amounts were not given.
Next: Takes effect January 1, 2027.
Yes 10: Clark, Green, Zimmerman, Kanal, Pirtle-Guiney, Ryan, Koyama Lane, Morillo, Novick, Dunphy · Absent 2: Avalos, Smith
Steps: October 7, 2026: Passed to second reading → October 14, 2026 (this meeting): Passed
City raises poker room permit fee, first update since 1974
Places that host social games, mostly poker rooms, need a city permit.
Decision: Passed, 10 to 0, with 2 councilors absent.
Details
This raises the yearly permit fee to catch up with inflation and adds an automatic inflation increase each year. Permit holders must also follow the city's business license and tax rules to get and keep a permit.
Who it affects: About 14 businesses that run social games such as poker rooms in Portland.
Money: The permit fee has not changed since 1974 and will now rise with inflation each year. The new amount is not stated. The fees help pay for the city staff position that regulates these businesses.
Next: The changes take effect January 1, 2027.
Yes 10: Clark, Green, Zimmerman, Kanal, Pirtle-Guiney, Ryan, Koyama Lane, Morillo, Novick, Dunphy · Absent 2: Avalos, Smith
Steps: October 7, 2026: Passed to second reading → October 14, 2026 (this meeting): Passed
City ends permit rule for pinball machines, pool tables and similar games
Businesses with amusement devices like pinball machines and pool tables will no longer need a yearly city permit or pay its fees.
Decision: Passed, 10 to 0, with 2 councilors absent.
Details
The rule dates to about 1929, and the city's Revenue Division found it is no longer needed. The program closes on December 31, 2026.
Who it affects: The 199 businesses, mostly small businesses across all four council districts, that now hold these permits.
Money: Permit holders will no longer pay the yearly license fees. This is part of a package of changes that also raises fees for other city permit programs to keep up with inflation.
Next: The repeal takes effect December 31, 2026.
Yes 10: Clark, Green, Zimmerman, Kanal, Pirtle-Guiney, Ryan, Koyama Lane, Morillo, Novick, Dunphy · Absent 2: Avalos, Smith
Steps: October 7, 2026: Passed to second reading → October 14, 2026 (this meeting): Passed
Secondhand dealer permit fees rise to $450, occasional category ends
This changes city rules for secondhand dealers, such as pawn shops, music stores, sporting goods shops and jewelry buyers.
Decision: Moved forward to a second reading with changes. No vote count was given.
Details
It raises the yearly permit application fee to $450, ties it to inflation each year, and ends the cheaper "occasional" dealer category so all dealers get one permit type. It also spells out what a permit application must include and requires an application with a fee both for a new permit and at each yearly renewal.
Who it affects: About 105 permitted secondhand dealers in Portland, including 34 "occasional" dealers who will pay much more than before.
Money: The yearly permit application fee becomes $450, down from a first proposal of $600. The fee will rise with inflation each year. Prices have gone up 37% since fees last changed in 2013. The fees help pay for the city staff position that runs the program.
Next: Second reading on October 21, 2026 at 6:00 pm. If passed, the rules take effect January 1, 2027.
Steps: October 14, 2026 (this meeting): Passed to second reading as amended → October 21, 2026: Passed as amended
City picks a different way to hire builder for NW streetcar extension
This lets the city skip the usual rule of hiring the lowest bidder to build the Montgomery Park Streetcar Extension.
Decision: Moved forward to a second reading, a required second council vote. No vote count was given.
Details
Instead, the city will ask companies for proposals and choose a Construction Manager/General Contractor, a builder who helps during design and then builds the project. The streetcar would run along NW 23rd Avenue north of NW Northrup Street to new one-way routes 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 contract is estimated at $63 million to $73 million. The whole project is estimated at $195 million, including up to 12 new streetcars, with about 50-60% expected from a federal grant. No new money is requested in this ordinance.
Next: Second reading on October 21, 2026 at 6:00 pm. Construction is expected to begin in the 2029-30 budget year.
Steps: October 14, 2026 (this meeting): Passed to second reading → October 21, 2026: Passed
Council delays naming city's three members to Moda Center oversight board
The Mayor asked council to name three city staff members to the Oregon Arena Joint Authority.
Decision: Delayed to October 21, 2026 at 6:00 pm. No vote was taken.
Details
This is a new seven-member board set up by the state, city and Multnomah County to oversee public money for renovating the city-owned Moda Center. The proposed picks are City Administrator Raymond C. Lee III, Building Official Natalie Didion, and City Budget Office Deputy Director Brian Connell.
Who it affects: Taxpayers whose public money would help pay for Moda Center renovations, and people who use the arena.
Money: The appointments themselves cost nothing. The board would oversee up to $573 million in proposed public funding for the Moda Center renovation, including up to $365 million from the state.
Next: Council will take up the item again on October 21, 2026 at 6:00 pm.
Steps: October 14, 2026 (this meeting): Continued → October 21, 2026: Confirmed
Council leans toward rejecting neighbors' added conditions for Ida B Wells rebuild
Portland Public Schools plans to rebuild Ida B Wells High School and improve its campus, and a city hearings officer approved the plan with conditions.
Decision: Tentatively denied the appeal, 12 to 0. The hearings officer's approval and conditions stay, plus one condition proposed by the school district. Staff will write updated findings (the written reasons for the decision).
Details
The Hillsdale Neighborhood Association appealed, asking for more conditions: bike and walking lanes on the path through campus, pedestrian improvements on SW Burlingame Ave., and public use of fields, track and tennis courts without reservations when the school is not using them. Council tentatively said no to those added conditions but kept the hearings officer's approval and added one condition offered by the school district.
Who it affects: Students, families and neighbors near the Ida B Wells High School and Rieke Elementary School campus in Hillsdale.
Money: No cost to the City. The school district's application fees cover the city's review work.
Next: Council returns November 5, 2026, at 2:30 pm for a final decision with the updated findings. No more public testimony will be taken.
Council delays vote on Central City zoning changes for housing and business
This would change zoning rules in Portland's Central City to make it easier to build housing and help businesses recover after the pandemic.
Decision: Rescheduled to October 29, 2026, at 2:30 pm. Public testimony, spoken and written, is closed.
Details
It would rezone some industrial land to allow homes, shops and offices, raise building height limits and allow unlimited height in some areas. It would also ease rules for food carts citywide, allow more uses in Waterfront Park, and allow temporary surface parking lots during redevelopment.
Who it affects: Property owners, developers, businesses, food cart operators and residents in the Central City, plus food cart operators citywide.
Next: Council will take it up October 29, 2026, at 2:30 pm. If passed, the changes would take effect March 1, 2027.
Steps: October 14, 2026 (this meeting): Continued → October 28, 2026
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.
Decision: Rescheduled. No vote was taken.
Details
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.
Who it affects: People with concealed handgun licenses who go to City buildings used for official meetings, including people who serve on City advisory boards.
Money: Small one-time costs for signs. No ongoing costs or new staff are expected.
Next: The item was rescheduled. The material does not give a new date.
Steps: October 7, 2026: Rescheduled → October 14, 2026 (this meeting): Rescheduled → October 21, 2026: Passed to second reading as amended → October 28, 2026
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