Environmental Services develops regulations and programs to comply with state and federal regulations and city charter responsibilities.

• City Code Chapter 17.34 Sanitary Discharges gives the Bureau of Environmental Services direction and authority to administer Cut Through the FOG. Sub-section 17.34.050 allows the Environmental Services Director to require pretreatment of sewage discharges.

• The city adopted ENB-4.26 - Fats, Oils, and Grease Removal Program Administrative Rules in December 2011.

• The city adopted ENB-4.25 - Extra Strength Sewer Charge Program Administrative Rules in December 2011.

• Chapter 17.34 describes Portland's sanitary and combined sewer discharge regulations and the city's Industrial Pretreatment Permit Program. Chapter 17.34 also authorizes the Environmental Services Director to establish administrative rules for sanitary discharge control programs.

• Chapter 17.36 Sewer User Charges describes the extra-strength sewage charge for Wastewater discharged to a city sewer, either directly or indirectly, if the discharge has a biochemical oxygen demand or a total suspended solids concentration in excess of concentrations determined by the Director.

Several state and federal agencies regulate Bureau of Environmental Services activities. 

• The federal Clean Water Act (Title 40 CFR Part 403.8)  requires Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTWs)  to have National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits. Portland's POTWs are the Columbia Boulevard Wastewater Treatment Plant and Tryon Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant. The Clean Water Act also authorizes establishment of user charge guidelines for users of treatment works for the cost of operation and maintenance of the public system.

• NPDES permits regulate point and non-point source dischargers, effluent limits and required best management practices to remove pollutants from sewage discharges.Portland's NPDES permits require the city to have an "adequate operation and maintenance program" for the entire sewage system (Schedule A.1 & 2 subsections c.(2)(B)).