Zoning Report
Portland, OR Zoning
Portland, Oregon has a layered zoning system built around base zones, overlay zones, plan districts, and additional use and development regulations. The city’s zoning code emphasizes that a property may be subject to all of these layers at once, with plan districts and overlays able to override base-zone standards where they conflict. Public information provided by the city highlights a broad range of residential, mixed-use, commercial, employment, industrial, and institutional zones, plus specialized review pathways for design, historic, environmental, floodplain, and other constrained sites.
Last researched May 2026
Zoning Districts in Portland, OR
Single-Dwelling Residential Zones (RF, R20, R10, R7, R5, R2.5)
These are Portland’s lower-density residential base zones for house-scaled neighborhoods. They regulate where houses and related residential forms are allowed and apply zone-specific development standards such as height, setbacks, and minimum lot area.
Allowed uses: Houses, Accessory dwelling units (subject to Chapter 33.205), Some duplex-related ADU configurations in R20 through R2.5, subject to standards
Multi-Dwelling Zones (RM1, RM2, RM3, RM4, RX, RMP)
These are Portland’s higher-density residential zones intended for multi-dwelling housing forms. They have their own use permissions and development standards and can also accommodate ADUs in some situations.
Allowed uses: Multi-dwelling residential uses, Accessory dwelling units in applicable situations
Commercial / Mixed Use Zones (CR, CM1, CM2, CM3, CE, CX)
These zones are intended for commercial activity, mixed-use development, and in some cases residential uses. Portland’s materials note that allowed uses must be checked by use category and may be modified by overlays or additional regulations.
Allowed uses: Commercial uses by use category, Mixed-use development, Some residential and ADU-related configurations in applicable zones
Employment and Industrial Zones (EG1, EG2, EX, IG1, IG2, IH)
These zones are intended for employment, industrial, and related commercial activities. The EX zone is specifically referenced in the city’s ADU guidance as allowing detached ADUs in some circumstances.
Allowed uses: Employment uses, Industrial uses, Detached ADUs in EX, per city ADU guidance
Campus Institutional Zones (IR, CI1, CI2)
These zones are used for campus and institutional areas with specialized zoning standards. The city treats them as a distinct base-zone category.
Allowed uses: Institutional and campus-related uses
Recent Zoning Changes
Portland has been advancing Regulatory Improvement Code Amendment Package 11 (RICAP 11), a citywide code maintenance package focused on parking, exterior site areas, and regulatory reduction. The ordinance text provided states that City Council directed amendments to Titles 32 and 33 using the May 2026 Recommended Draft; based on the supplied excerpt, the package appears to have reached Council action in 2026, though the exact final effective date was not provided in the research.
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