Permitting made easier | Cheering the Portland Art Museum

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City of Portland Newsletter | November 26, 2025

Collage shows the Native Gathering Garden and its flowers, circular areas with large boulders, and nuts

At Cully Park in Northeast Portland, a different kind of garden grows, reviving ancestral traditions and restoring native plantings. A place for connection to land, education, healing, and community-led growing and sharing of food. Where growth lives in relationships as much as in harvests. The Native Gathering Garden at Cully Park was co-created with Portland’s Native American Community Advisory Council. It is cared for by Indigenous staff, partners, youth, and volunteers of all ages.

In this issue

 

Most City of Portland offices will be closed on Thursday and Friday, Nov. 27 and 28, for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Beyond the headlines

As part of ongoing efforts to improve the public’s experience, Portland Permitting & Development worked with the Digital Services team at the Bureau of Technology Services to simplify and streamline permitting pages for five common construction projects: decks, residential bathrooms, changing commercial spaces, food carts, and ADU conversions.

These redesigned web pages feature a simpler format that guides you through the permitting process. New interactive tools like custom guides and tooltips provide the right information at the right phase of your project—from research to getting your inspection.

This effort was recently recognized by U.S. Digital Response for innovation in human-centered technology work.

Screenshot of new permitting webpages

News

Two firefighters observe a deep fryer fire after placing a turkey into it

Photo caption: Two firefighters demonstrate what happens when a turkey is improperly placed in a deep fryer.

 

Safety tips from the City of Portland. Make a plan to get there safe. Take a breath before you deep-fry that turkey. Don’t pour fat, oil, or grease down the drain. Install smoke alarms and keep an eye on hazards. Take care with extension cords.

This new development from PCRI brings 40 units of Permanent Supportive Housing to the King neighborhood of Northeast Portland, with deep affordability and wraparound services from PCRI and the Northwest Pilot Project for those exiting homelessness.

The Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability (BPS) is proud to announce the latest round of awards from the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF). City Administrator Jordan has approved $64.4 million in funding for 60 nonprofit-led projects, advancing Portland’s transition to a more sustainable and equitable future.

The City of Portland has officially signed onto a new international initiative alongside Paris, Phoenix, Melbourne, and other global cities to ensure that the rapid growth of artificial intelligence and data infrastructure is guided by environmental responsibility.

If your regular garbage, recycling, and compost pickup day is Thanksgiving, don’t forget to set your bins out by 6 a.m. We’re thankful for our garbage and recycling collection drivers! And thank YOU for reducing, reusing, and recycling right. Sign up for free garbage day reminders to ensure you never miss garbage day.

The Fiscal Year 2026-2027 guidance does not include a forecasted budget gap but acknowledges continuing financial challenges as the city awaits an economic forecast in mid-December. Wilson is requesting realistic, transparent budget scenarios that prioritize community health and safety, fiscal sustainability, operational excellence, and meaningful community engagement.

 

Data spotlight

100 circle graphic

The city has received a perfect score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2025 Municipal Equality Index, a nationwide evaluation of 506 municipalities that measures how inclusive local laws, policies and services are for LGBTQ+ residents. The top score reflects Mayor Wilson’s ongoing commitment to supporting the LGBTQ+ community. The Office of Equity and Human Rights’ LGBTQIA2S+ Policy team leads the work for the city. Recognition goes to Senior Policy Analyst Lex Jakusovszky (they/them) and Aubri Qian (she/her), whose work was instrumental in the city’s success.

Opportunities

CityFleet concrete entrance sign

Made possible by the City of Portland’s Percent for Art Program, which specifies that up to 2% of qualifying infrastructure project budgets be dedicated to public art, this call for artists provides an opportunity to design and execute a mural or low relief artwork to be installed in the designated frieze area of the walls of the CityFleet training room. Artists working in a variety of types of materials are welcome to apply. The budget for this art opportunity is not to exceed $45,000.  Due Jan. 5.

Hosting a holiday meal? Don’t let good food go to waste. Try these easy tips to save time and money this season. Keep using them to save up to $2,900 a year for an average Oregon family of four.

The Rental Services Office partners with community organizations and housing educators to offer free educational classes covering a variety of landlord-tenant law topics.

Mandatory training for Portlanders running for Mayor, Auditor, or Council who wish to participate in the matching program. Those considering running or considering participating are welcome and encouraged to join. Confidential one-on-one trainings are available. Dec. 8

Join the City of Portland for a virtual panel on shaping Oregon’s digital future—exploring digital rights, access, privacy, and responsible technology use to ensure innovation serves the public good. Dec. 10

Mayor Keith Wilson

You’ll receive emails every couple of weeks from Mayor Keith Wilson about what he’s thinking, what he’s working on, and how you can stay informed and involved.


New job openings at the City of Portland

Because of a budget shortfall, the City imposed a hiring freeze on most jobs October 1, 2025. There are some exceptions. And positions that are open now will stay open until they’re filled. So check out our listings and apply today.

  • Bureau of Emergency Communications Director (Director I)
  • Coordinator I-NE, Right of Way Compliance Group
  • Development Services Technician III
  • Evidence Control Specialist
  • Surveyor II

Featured job

Senior Capital Projects Engineer (Engineer III): The Water Bureau’s Engineering Services Group (ESG) Design Section is hiring a Senior Capital Projects Engineer to lead complex capital projects that support Portland’s water infrastructure. This is an exciting opportunity to manage high-impact work in groundwater wells, pump stations, and distribution storage systems.

Jobs at the City of Portland
Open Bids and Proposals

Grants and funding

Prosper Portland offers matching, reimbursable grants that help businesses and property owners make tenant improvements and small and large-scale improvements to new and existing buildings.

Who’s Eligible: Businesses and property owners in the following TIF Districts: Central Eastside, Gateway Regional Center, Interstate Corridor, Lents Town Center, Old Town, and North Macadam.

Application Deadline: Ongoing

 

Prosper Portland provides funding to property owners and small business owners who are in the process of negotiating a lease. Grant funds may be used for tenant improvements, space-related soft costs, and permitting support to ready space to open for business.

Who’s Eligible: Property owners and business owners in the Interstate Corridor TIF District and the Gateway Regional Center TIF District.

Application Deadline: Ongoing

 

Local Small Business Expanded Repair/Restore Grant Program

Prosper Portland provides funding to small businesses located in the City of Portland that have sustained physical and economic damage due to break-ins and vandalism. Grants assist eligible businesses to remain open and operational and contribute to maintaining a healthy street environment. Eligible entities may receive up to $25,000 over the life of the program for eligible repairs.

Who’s Eligible: Small businesses and nonprofit organizations occupying a ground-floor storefront

Application Deadline: Ongoing

Grants and funding

Make your voice heard

Serve on a board or committee

A concert at Providence Park shows a night show with fireworks

Help Portland balance neighborhood livability with special events. Join the Noise Review Board.

The City of Portland seeks interested community members to serve a three-year term on the Noise Review Board. Portland’s Noise Review Board is unique in the United States because it offers both residents and members of the business community the opportunity to help set the City’s policies related to the environmental issues and health impacts of noise. The board reviews applications for noise variances for events and construction that may impact many people or take place over a significant period of time. It also addresses emerging noise problems in the community. As part of the board, you will also be responsible for working with the Noise Program to advise and make recommendations to the Portland City Council on sound-related code and policy decisions. Apply by Nov. 30, 2025. 

Design Commission

The Design Commission provides leadership and expertise on urban design and architecture and advances the purpose of the Design overlay zone.  It supports development that builds on context, contributes to the public realm, and provides high quality and resilient buildings and public spaces.  It also helps develop design guidelines for design districts and provides advice to other City Bureaus and Regional Government Partners. Deadline extended to Dec. 14, 2025

Urban Forestry Commission

The Urban Forestry Commission is comprised of 11 community members who play a crucial advisory role in managing Portland’s trees, influencing policies related to the city’s urban forest plan, budget proposals, and more. If you’re passionate about preserving, protecting, and expanding Portland’s Urban Forest, this is a great opportunity for you. It also acts as an appeals board for certain tree permits, nominates new and approves removal of Heritage Trees, and plays a significant role in updates to the City’s Urban Forest Management Plan. Apply by Dec. 8, 2025

Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund Committee

Are you looking for a space where your passion, knowledge, and skills will contribute to a more just society? Do you envision your city as one that advances racial justice and leads with equity to provide a clean energy future for frontline communities? The Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF) Committee is seeking leaders like you. With your help, we can ensure the most impacted Portlanders are prepared for a changing climate as we move toward our goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Open

 

More committee opportunities

Give us your feedback

Albina graphic - envisionina a reconnected Albina

Portlanders—join us for an open house to inform future urban design approaches and a District Framework to reconnect Lower Albina. Explore concepts for how streets, buildings, open spaces, and connections could look, feel, and evolve to create a vibrant neighborhood that functions as a place for community life, culture, and connection. Dec. 3

Learn about the proposed administrative rules on Gas Leaf Blowers and ask clarifying questions as part of the public comment period.

Infórmese sobre las reglas administrativas propuestas para el uso de sopladores de hojas que funcionan con gasolina y haga preguntas que aclaren sus dudas durante el período de consulta pública.

The Focused Intervention Team Community Oversight Group (FITCOG) works in collaboration with the Portland Police Bureau’s Focused Intervention Team to make recommendations aimed at reducing gun violence through prevention, intervention, and response strategies, ultimately creating safer communities. Your participation at these meetings is crucial to better understand community concerns build trust and possibly identify any systemic issues to ensure fair and equitable policing practices.

FITCOG Annual Meeting & Listening Session: Dec. 4, 2025, 6-8 p.m., Portland Community College Southeast, Community Hall, 2305 SE 82nd, Portland, OR

The proposed amendments will further limit capacity expansion at the CEI Hub with revisions to City policies and code. New regulations will require a 20 percent reduction of fuel storage capacity by 2036. You are invited to submit testimony for a Planning Commission hearing on Dec. 16.

The Office of Arts & Culture will launch a new grant program next summer to provide Operating Support for local arts organizations. Prior to that, community members can share their thoughts on the program’s proposed guidelines. Ends April 1, 2026


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