The purpose of this ordinance is to allow an exception to the Underground Wiring District, title 17.60.020, for the installation of overhead decorative lighting (string lighting) across Portland Bureau of Transportation designated pedestrian plazas and in the Skidmore/Old Town Historic District and the New Chinatown/Japantown Historic District.PBOT is coordinating closely with staff in the bureau and across the City to finalize design specifications for decorative lighting, and will be subject to all reviews, approvals, and permits as required by the City of Portland.
Official proposal and impact statementOrdinance2025-362
Should Portland authorize exception to Title 17 Underground Wiring Districts Code to allow for the placement of decorative lighting across Portland Bureau of…
The purpose of this ordinance is to allow an exception to the Underground Wiring District, title 17.60.020, for the installation of overhead decorative lighting (string lighting) across Portland Bureau of Transportation designated pedestrian plazas and in the Skidmore/Old Town Historic District and the New Chinatown/Japantown Historic District.PBOT is coordinating closely with staff in the bureau and across the City to finalize design specifications for decorative lighting, and will be subject to all reviews, approvals, and permits as required by the City of Portland.
Official impact statementSee the official legal title
Authorize exception to Title 17 Underground Wiring Districts Code to allow for the placement of decorative lighting across Portland Bureau of Transportation designated pedestrian plazas and the Skidmore/Old Town Historic District and the New Chinatown/Japantown Historic District (allow exception to Code Section 17.60.020)
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The reviewed sources do not clearly identify every existing policy, service, contract, or obligation that would remain unchanged.
Official matter recordThis proposal concerns transportation & public works and requires action through Portland’s public legislative process.
Official matter classification and recordOverhead decorative lighting will support business and community activity along Portland’s commercial corridors. PBOT has received numerous requests from existing Street Plaza community partners to incorporate overhead decorative lighting as a standard treatment, as well as in the annual plaza survey and focus groups.The City is partnering with the Old Town Community Association to assist small business owners and District residents in the revitalization of Old Town. Over-the-roadway illuminated lanterns In Old Town’s Chinatown-Japantown Historic District will celebrate the neighborhood’s Chinese and Japanese heritage, add festive color and additional lighting for public safety.
Official community impact statementWhat the record establishes and what it does not.
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Final Council action
Passed · 10–0
Read the exact motion or vote question
Final action on 2025-362: Authorize exception to Title 17 Underground Wiring Districts Code to allow for the placement of decorative lighting across Portland Bureau of Transportation designated pedestrian plazas and the Skidmore/Old Town Historic District and the New Chinatown/Japantown Historic District (allow exception to Code Section 17.60.020)
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Official testimony on this decision has closed. Residents can still contact their district Councilors about implementation and follow-up.
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Official documents1 sources
Final legal actionOrdinance 192111
The operative official record after Council action.
Open at Portland.govRead the full official text
The City of Portland ordains.Section 1. The Council finds:The City, through the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT), manages the public right-of-way to shape a livable city for all. Council passed Ordinance 188556 on August 16, 2017 to establish pedestrian plazas under PBOT for the enjoyment, safety, comfort and convenience of the public and to enhance the orderly administration of the pedestrian plaza. Council passed Resolution 37325 on October 25, 2017 adopting the Livable Street Strategy to prioritize people and encourage community placemaking in the public right-of-way. Since 2017, PBOT pedestrian plazas, as defined in 17.43.020, have contributed to a re-envisioning of city streets as spaces for people. PBOT has partnered with Old Town China Town Association (OCTA) to activate Old Town by allowing the installation of illuminated lanterns across the roadway to enhance livability and economic vitality of the district. The project is located in the Skidmore/Old Town Historic District and the New Chinatown/Japantown Historic District. OCTA and staff, therefore, briefed the Portland Historic Landmarks Commission on November 14, 2022, and received their support for the project. On March 1, 2023, Transportation Commissioner Mingus Mapps designated 18 PBOT Pedestrian Plazas, seven of which are located within the City’s underground wiring district. Decorative lighting has been planned in two priority plazas to enhance these pedestrian-scale public spaces. PBOT is coordinating closely with staff in the bureau and across the City to finalize design specifications for the decorative lighting, and will be subject to all reviews, approvals, and permits as required by the City of Portland. Supporting utility infrastructure will follow all placement criteria as outlined in Transportation Administrative Rule TRN-10.19. Per Portland City Code (PCC) Chapter 17.60 Underground Wiring Districts, overhead wires are prohibited in underground wiring districts in the City of Portland (PCC 17.60.020). Approval of this ordinance would permit the exception to PCC 17.60.020 Overhead Wires Prohibited for decorative lighting across the commercial shared street for PBOT designated pedestrian plazas and in the historic districts. PBOT documents current Pedestrian Plazas are presented in Exhibit A. NOW, THEREFORE, the Council directs:Portland City Code Section 17.60.020 is waived to allow for the placement of decorative lighting across PBOT designated pedestrian plazas and in the Skidmore/Old Town Historic District and the New Chinatown/Japantown Historic District. All decorative lighting installations will be subject to all reviews, approvals, and permits as required by the City of Portland.
Meetings, motions, amendments, and votes3 meetings · 2 votes
PassedAgenda item 7
Passed to second readingAgenda item 18
Referred to City CouncilAgenda item 2
Read all 1 exact motions
Motion to send Ordinance, Document Number 2025-362, to the full Council with a recommendation to pass: Moved by Morillo and seconded by Koyama Lane. (Aye (5): Koyama Lane, Morillo, Green, Smith, Clark)
Final Council action · Oct 8, 202510 yes · 0 no · 2 absent
Final action on 2025-362: Authorize exception to Title 17 Underground Wiring Districts Code to allow for the placement of decorative lighting across Portland Bureau of Transportation designated pedestrian plazas and the Skidmore/Old Town Historic District and the New Chinatown/Japantown Historic District (allow exception to Code Section 17.60.020)
Meeting-level motion or recommendation · Sep 22, 20255 yes
Motion to send Ordinance, Document Number 2025-362, to the full Council with a recommendation to pass: Moved by Morillo and seconded by Koyama Lane. (Aye (5): Koyama Lane, Morillo, Green, Smith, Clark)
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- First discovered
- Aug 13, 2026, 1:10 PM PDT
- Last checked
- Sep 13, 2026, 2:29 AM PDT
- Evidence hash
- 921225e1da39fef5
- Guide status
- Deterministic baseline
- SOURCE UPDATED
Passed
- DOCUMENT PUBLISHED
Observed in the official source.
- Council Action
Passed
- Council Action
Passed to second reading
- Council Action
Referred to City Council