City of Portland Green Building

A Summary of Codes, Regulations, Programs, and Policies

Related to Green Building and Development
ENERGY

SOLAR
33.110.215.C.5 Allowance of solar panels to exceed height limit in single-dwelling residential zones.
33.120.215.C.5 Allowance of solar panels to exceed height limit in multi-dwelling residential zones.
33.120.265.C.7 Density bonus for solar water heating in multi-dwelling zones.
33.130.210.B.5 Allowance of solar panels to exceed height limit in commercial zones.
33.140.210.B.5 Allowance of solar panels to exceed height limit in employment and industrial zones.
33.218 (multiple sections) Rooftop solar standards for projects required to meet Community Design
Standards.
33.420.045.Y Rooftop solar exempt from design review.
33.445 (multiple sections) Rooftop solar exempt from historic resource review.
33.639 Solar access regulations for land divisions.

WIND
33.299 Zoning Code chapter governing installation of small, urban-scale wind turbines.
33.420.045.BB Small wind energy turbines exempt from design review.

GENERAL
33.258.070.D.2.a(6) Provision to allow the cost of energy efficiency or renewable energy
improvements to not count towards non-conforming development threshold trigger.
33.445 Installation of storm windows and doors exempt from historic resource review.
Oregon Reach Code The Reach Code is a set of statewide optional construction standards for energy
efficiency that exceed the requirements of the state's mandatory codes.

STORMWATER

ECO-ROOFS
33.510.210.C.10 Central City FAR bonus for eco-roof construction.
33.420.045.Z Eco-roof exemption from design review.
33.445 (multiple locations) Eco-roof exemption from historic resource review.

MANAGEMENT
Stormwater Management Manual Hierarchy for managing stormwater with emphasis on treating and
infiltrating on the property where the runoff is created.
WATER

CISTERNS
33.110.220.C Allowance of water collection cisterns to extend into required building setbacks within
single-dwelling zones.
33.120.220.D Allowance of water collection cisterns to extend into required building setbacks within
multi-dwelling zones.
33.130.215.B.3.a Allowance of water collection cisterns to extend into required building setbacks
within commercial zones.
33.140.215.B.4.a Allowance of water collection cisterns to extend into required building setbacks
within employment and industrial zones.
33.218 (multiple sections) Cistern standards for projects required to meet Community Design
Standards.

PORTLAND WATER BUREAU

Water Efficiency Programs
Commercial Water Efficiency for Business, Industry and Government

COMPACT DEVELOPMENT

ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS (ADUS)

33.205 Regulations for ADUs. ADUs promote compact living and infill development.
Ordinance No. 185987 Waives System Development Charges (SDCs) for ADUs. This has resulted in a
dramatic increase in the number of ADUs being built.

ALTERNATIVE DEVELOPMENT
33.110.240 Alternative development options within single-dwelling zones that promote better site
layout and energy efficiency.
33.120.270 Alternative development options within multi-dwelling zones that promote better site
layout and energy efficiency.

MATERIAL RESOURCES

CONSTRUCTION AND DEMOLITION (C&D) DEBRIS RECYCLING

Recycling/Reuse Requirements for construction and demolition debris recycling.
RecyclingNutsAndBolts.com Construction and demolition debris website for City of Portland.

HISTORIC PRESERVATION
33.445 Protection of certain historic resources.
33.510.200.H Transfer of FAR from historic resources within the Central City.

PROGRAMS, POLICIES, & PLANS

Clean Energy
Sustainability at Work
Garbage, Recycling, and Composting
Green Building and Development
Green Building Policy (for City facilities)
Climate Action Plan
Alternative Technology Advisory Committee (ATAC)
OTHER

Bike parking requirements (short and long term) and amenities (locker rooms/showers)
Density bonus for locker rooms in Central City buildings
Tree preservation and planting requirements
Pedestrian-friendly development standards
Transit-oriented development standards
Alternative development and streets (common greens, alleys, shared courts)
Residential allowed in commercial zones
Density bonuses for residential development in Central City
Limits on drive-through locations
Parking lot landscaping requirements
Eaves allowed in setbacks
Historic preservation