City of Portland, OR
05/11/2026 | News release | Distributed by Public on 05/12/2026 12:01
Updates to streamline the zoning code head to City Council
Label: News article
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Community members are invited to testify on the technical fixes and minor policy changes included in the RICAP 11 Recommended Draft at a public hearing on Tuesday, June 2 at 2 p.m.
Published
May 11, 2026 1:42 pm
A package of zoning code updates that aim to make it easier to understand and implement Portland's zoning code has been released for public review and comment. The Regulatory Improvement Code Amendment Package 11 (RICAP 11) Recommended Draft, which reflects the Planning Commission's recommendation to City Council, will be presented at a public hearing before the City Council Housing and Permitting Committee on June 2 at 2 p.m.
What's changed since the latest draft?
After considering public testimony at a hearing in September of 2025, the Planning Commission made seven amendments to the Proposed Draft before forwarding their recommendation to City Council.
The most significant change was to lower the number of individual shelter units allowed at outdoor shelters in commercial zones, from the staff-proposed 200 units to 100 units. Currently the number of allowed shelter units is 60.
Other changes include a simplification of screening requirements for mechanical equipment in residential setbacks and a new amendment to clarify that environmental regulations in plan districts also apply to the public right-of-way.
Give testimony
The Recommended Draft will be considered by City Council in June, starting with a Housing and Permitting Committee hearing on June 2, followed by a full City Council hearing. There will be opportunities to provide both written and verbal testimony as part of the Council review process.
There are two ways to submit testimony:
- Submit written testimony through the project's Map App by the time of the hearing.
- Give oral testimony at the hearing. Registration for oral testimony will open on Friday, May 29 at 9 a.m.
Project steps and timeline
August 2025 - RICAP 11 Proposed Draft released for public review and comment
Fall 2025 - Planning Commission public hearing
Spring/Summer 2025-26 - City Council public hearings and adoption
August 2026 - RICAP 11 zoning code amendments effective
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