Environmental Planning

The Bureau of Planning and Sustainability’s Environmental Planning Program has the primary responsibility for maintaining the City’s compliance with state and regional environmental land use goals and regulations.

Activities include developing and maintaining natural resource inventories, and developing analyses and recommendations to update the City’s environmental overlay zoning maps and codes. The environmental overlay zoning regulations represent the core component of Portland’s program to meet Oregon Land Use Goal 5 (Natural Resources), Goal 6 (Air and Water Quality), and Goal 7 (Natural Hazards) and Metro Titles 3 (Water Quality) and 13 (Nature in Neighborhoods). The overlay zones are intended to protect and conserve important natural resource values and functions throughout Portland’s watersheds. The environmental overlay zone is also a critical component of Portland’s programs to meet Clean Water Act stormwater requirements and reduce pollutant loading to local rivers and streams.

The Environmental Planning Program staff provide technical information and assistance to BPS-led citywide and area-specific planning projects such as the Portland Plan, River Plan, Airport Futures and Hayden Island Plan. The Environmental Planning Program manages complex projects such as the Citywide Tree Policy Review and Regulatory Improvement Project and a project to update City policies and codes relating to invasive plants. The program also participates in various multi-bureau efforts such as developing the Portland Watershed Management Plan, Urban Forestry Action Plan, and Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan.