October 7, 2026
Portland City Council — October 7, 2026 Council agenda
10 decisions explained in plain language.
Citywide
New rules for private pay parking lots: better signs, photo proof for tickets
This changes city rules for private parking lots that charge for parking or ticket people who park without permission.
Decision: Moved forward to a second reading. No vote was taken yet.
Details
Lots must post clearer signs about their rules, and staff must take photos when they issue a parking penalty notice. The one-time permit application fee for lot operators goes up to match inflation and will rise with inflation every year after.
Who it affects: People who park in private parking lots in Portland, and the 11 companies that run about 164 permitted pay lots, mostly downtown in District 4.
Money: The permit application fee for pay-and-park operators rises to account for a 50% increase in prices since the fee was last changed in 2009, plus a yearly inflation adjustment. The fees help pay for the city staff position that oversees these lots. Exact new fee amounts are not given.
Next: Second reading on October 14, 2026 at 9:30 am. If passed, the rules take effect January 1, 2027.
Steps: October 7, 2026 (this meeting): Passed to second reading → October 14, 2026: Passed
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.
Decision: Passed with changes, 9 to 2. One member was absent.
Details
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.
Who it affects: People, businesses and builders who apply for fire permits, inspections or event reviews, such as for construction, hazardous materials, public gatherings or special events.
Money: Some permit and inspection fees will rise. Specific amounts are listed in an exhibit not included here. Extra revenue will help pay for inspection, plan review, permitting and code enforcement staff and costs. The amount will depend on how many permits and inspections are requested.
Next: The new fees take effect after the council's passage.
Yes 9: Clark, Green, Avalos, Smith, Kanal, Pirtle-Guiney, Koyama Lane, Morillo, Novick · No 2: Ryan, Dunphy · Absent 1: Zimmerman
Steps: September 23, 2026: Rescheduled → September 30, 2026: Passed to second reading as amended → October 7, 2026 (this meeting): Passed as amended
Specific places or groups
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.
Decision: 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.
Details
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.
Who it affects: Fuel terminal operators in the CEI Hub and people who live near it, including Linnton and parts of Northwest and North Portland.
Money: City staff estimate it will cost $10,000 to check each terminal's storage report, and terminals would pay a fee to cover that cost. Fines from violations would go into a fund for projects that reduce harm from the Hub.
Next: Council will take it up again on November 5, 2026 at 2:00 pm.
Steps: September 23, 2026: Continued → September 30, 2026: Continued as amended → October 7, 2026 (this meeting): Continued as amended
Payday lenders' yearly city permit fee goes up 60 percent
Payday lenders, businesses that make small, short-term loans, must get a yearly city permit.
Decision: Moved forward to a second reading, a required final vote, on October 14, 2026. No vote count was given.
Details
This change raises that permit fee by about 60 percent, the first increase since the program began in 2006. After that, the fee will rise each year with inflation.
Who it affects: The 5 payday lending businesses that hold city permits, which are located in Districts 1 and 2.
Money: The yearly permit fee rises about 60 percent, close to the 55 percent rise in prices since 2006. The fees help pay for the city staff who oversee payday lenders. The program brought in 7 percent of the Revenue Division's regulatory program money in the 2024-2025 budget year.
Next: Second reading on October 14, 2026 at 9:30 am. If passed, the change takes effect January 1, 2027.
Steps: October 7, 2026 (this meeting): Passed to second reading → October 14, 2026: Passed
Higher permit fees and new tax rule for Portland poker rooms
This raises the yearly permit fee for businesses that run social games, like poker rooms, to catch up with inflation, since the fee has not changed since 1974.
Decision: Moved forward to a second reading, which is a final vote at a later meeting. No vote count was given.
Details
The fee will also rise each year with inflation. Businesses must follow the city's business license and tax rules to get and keep the permit.
Who it affects: About 14 businesses that host social games such as poker rooms.
Money: The permit fee goes up for inflation, but the new amount is not given. Fees help pay for the city staff position that oversees the program.
Next: Second reading on October 14, 2026 at 9:30 am. If passed, the changes take effect January 1, 2027.
Steps: October 7, 2026 (this meeting): Passed to second reading → October 14, 2026: Passed
City plans to end permits for pinball machines and pool tables
This would end a city rule, dating to about 1929, that makes businesses get a yearly permit for amusement devices like pinball machines and pool tables.
Decision: Moved forward to a second reading, a required later vote before it becomes final. No vote count was given.
Details
The 199 businesses that hold these permits would no longer need to apply each year or pay the fees. The repeal would take effect December 31, 2026.
Who it affects: The 199 businesses, mostly small businesses across all four council districts, that now hold amusement device permits.
Money: Businesses would no longer pay the yearly permit fees. This is part of a larger package that also raises fees for other city permit programs to keep up with inflation and pay for the staff position doing this work.
Next: Second reading on October 14, 2026 at 9:30 am. The repeal would take effect December 31, 2026.
Steps: October 7, 2026 (this meeting): Passed to second reading → October 14, 2026: Passed
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.
Decision: Passed, 12 to 0.
Details
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.
Who it affects: Owners of certain properties along SE Division Street between SE 148th and SE 174th Avenues, and people who travel that stretch.
Money: Property owners must be paid fair value, but the amounts are not set yet because talks are ongoing. An estimate is budgeted in the city's transportation fund for the 2026-2027 budget year.
Next: Outreach to nearby residents, property owners and businesses continues through spring 2027 as part of the design work.
Yes 12: Clark, Green, Zimmerman, Avalos, Smith, Kanal, Pirtle-Guiney, Ryan, Koyama Lane, Morillo, Novick, Dunphy
Steps: September 30, 2026: Passed to second reading → October 7, 2026 (this meeting): Passed
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.
Decision: Passed, 12 to 0.
Details
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.
Who it affects: Owners of the property near SE 119th Ave and SE Stark St, and people who walk, roll or cross the street along SE Stark.
Money: The cost of the property rights is not known yet because talks with owners are not finished. An estimate is set aside in the city's transportation budget for 2026-2027.
Yes 12: Clark, Green, Zimmerman, Avalos, Smith, Kanal, Pirtle-Guiney, Ryan, Koyama Lane, Morillo, Novick, Dunphy
Steps: September 30, 2026: Passed to second reading → October 7, 2026 (this meeting): Passed
City can now sell ads on streetcar benches and shelters
Until now, city rules let only TriMet sell ads on benches and shelters where people wait for transit.
Decision: Passed, 12 to 0.
Details
This change lets the City, which owns the Portland Streetcar, also sell ads on streetcar benches and shelters. The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) plans to run the next streetcar ad contract.
Who it affects: People who ride or walk past Portland Streetcar stops, and companies that sell or buy transit ads.
Money: No cost to the City. The City does not expect more ad money soon, but says it could bring in more over the long term. The amount cannot be estimated yet.
Next: The current streetcar ad contract with Intersection Media ends November 11, 2026. After that, PBOT intends to hold the next contract.
Yes 12: Clark, Green, Zimmerman, Avalos, Smith, Kanal, Pirtle-Guiney, Ryan, Koyama Lane, Morillo, Novick, Dunphy
Steps: September 9, 2026: Rescheduled → September 23, 2026: Rescheduled → September 30, 2026: Passed to second reading → October 7, 2026 (this meeting): Passed
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.
Decision: Rescheduled to a later meeting. No vote was taken.
Details
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.
Who it affects: People with concealed handgun licenses who enter City buildings where official City meetings are held.
Money: Small one-time costs for signs; no ongoing costs were identified.
Next: The item was rescheduled; no new date is given. If passed, the City Administrator would write rules naming which buildings are covered, and no building would be covered until signs and website notice are posted.
Steps: October 7, 2026 (this meeting): Rescheduled → October 14, 2026: Rescheduled → October 21, 2026: Passed to second reading as amended → October 28, 2026
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