Rental Property Rules in Portland, OR (2026)
11 verified rental property rules for Portland, Oregon, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Rent Control
Portland has no local rent control. Rent stabilization is set by Oregon statewide law under SB 608 (2019) and SB 611 (2023), codified at ORS 90.323 and 90.324. The maximum annual rent increase is the lower of 10% or 7% plus West Region CPI. The Oregon Department of Administrative Services publishes the cap each September.
Portland Rent Control - Oregon SB 608 Statewide Cap
Some RestrictionsJust Cause Eviction
After the first year of occupancy, Portland landlords may terminate a tenancy only for one of the statutory 'qualifying' or 'tenant-cause' reasons under Oregon ORS 90.427. Portland City Code Chapter 30.01.085 adds local relocation-assistance duties when a no-cause termination occurs in the first year or when a qualifying landlord-cause termination is used.
Portland Just Cause Eviction (ORS 90.427 + PCC 30.01.085)
Heavy RestrictionsRental Registration
Portland requires all rental properties to be registered with the city's Rental Registration program administered by the Portland Housing Bureau. The program was established to track rental housing stock, ensure habitability compliance, and provide tenant protection services.
Portland Rental Property Registration
Heavy RestrictionsRelocation Assistance
Portland landlords must pay tenants relocation assistance when issuing no-cause terminations, qualifying rent increases above ten percent, or substantial lease modifications, with payment amounts tiered by unit bedroom count under PCC 30.01.085.
Mandatory Renter Relocation Assistance Payments
Heavy RestrictionsSecurity Deposit Rules
Portland City Code 30.01.087 caps total security deposits and last-month rent collected at move-in. Under Oregon ORS 90.300, deposits must be returned (with itemized deductions) within 31 days of the tenant vacating. Pet deposits are limited and service/assistance animals may not be charged a deposit.
Portland Security Deposit Caps and Return Rules
Some RestrictionsNo-Fault Evictions
Portland City Code 30.01.085 requires landlords to pay relocation assistance of $2,900 to $4,500 (by bedroom count) when issuing a no-cause termination, a qualifying-landlord-reason termination, a non-renewal of a fixed-term lease, or a rent increase of 10% or more in any 12-month period. The duty was adopted in 2017 and made permanent in 2018.
Portland No-Fault Termination and Mandatory Relocation Assistance
Heavy RestrictionsPass-Through Charges
Under Portland City Code 30.01.086 (the FAIR Ordinance, 2019), landlords may not charge application fees beyond the actual cost of screening (capped by published city schedule), may not require security deposits greater than the limits set in PCC 30.01.087, and may not pass through 'in lieu' fees or hidden charges absent specific lease and Oregon ORS Chapter 90 authority.
Portland Pass-Through Charges and FAIR Fee Limits
Some RestrictionsTenant Anti-Harassment
Portland tenants are protected from landlord harassment, retaliation, and intimidation under Oregon ORS 90.385 (retaliation) and 90.375 (self-help eviction), and under Portland's FAIR Ordinance (PCC 30.01) which prohibits coercive screening or termination practices designed to push tenants out without due process.
Portland Tenant Anti-Harassment Protections
Some RestrictionsSource-of-Income Discrimination
Oregon ORS 659A.421 and Portland City Code 30.01.086 prohibit Portland landlords from refusing to rent or imposing different terms based on a tenant's lawful source of income, including Section 8 vouchers, Social Security, SSI/SSDI, VA benefits, child support, and other government or third-party rental assistance.
Portland Source of Income Discrimination Protection
Heavy RestrictionsSection 8 Voucher Acceptance
Oregon ORS 659A.421 makes it unlawful for a landlord to refuse to rent or to discriminate against an applicant or tenant because of their source of income, including Section 8 (Housing Choice) vouchers, VASH, Section 811, or other government rental assistance. Portland's FAIR Ordinance (PCC 30.01.086) reinforces and locally enforces this protection.
Portland Section 8 Voucher and Source-of-Income Protection
Heavy RestrictionsAB-1482 Notice Disclosure
Portland follows Oregon's statewide rent cap rather than California's AB 1482. Under SB 608 (2019) codified at ORS 90.323 and amended by SB 611 (2023), landlords must give written notice of any rent increase 90 days in advance and may not raise rent above the lower of 10% or 7% plus CPI in any 12-month period. Buildings less than 15 years old and certain subsidized units are exempt.
Portland Rent Increase Disclosure (Oregon SB 608 / ORS 90.323)
Some RestrictionsLooking for Multnomah County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Portland city rules.
Rental Property Rules in Multnomah County →