In every city around the world, neighborhoods are constantly changing. It’s important we work together as a community to make sure that change is for the better and includes all of us. Our city’s popularity and existing zoning rules have enticed home builders to construct large, expensive new houses at a time when families are getting smaller and more people need a place to live.

To address these issues around growth and change, the City of Portland is taking a fresh look at the rules that govern the types of housing permitted in our neighborhoods.

The Planning and Sustainability Commission voted to recommend that City Council adopt their proposed changes to the zoning code, to increase access to multiple types of housing in all Portland neighborhoods by allowing more units – at lower prices – on each lot, while also reducing the overall size of each building. The recommendations are essential to reach our City goals for compact development and more housing choices including smaller, but still family-sized, units in more neighborhoods. City Council is expected to hold public hearings on the recommendations by fall 2019.