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Water Use Rules in Portland, OR (2026)

3 verified water use rules for Portland, Oregon, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

Lawn Watering Restrictions

Portland Water Bureau encourages efficient outdoor watering through voluntary schedules and may impose mandatory curtailment during droughts, drawing primarily on the protected Bull Run watershed for municipal supply.

Bull Run Watering Guidance and Curtailment

Few Restrictions

Turf Replacement Rebates

Unlike many California cities, Portland does not operate a formal turf-replacement rebate program. The Portland Water Bureau focuses water-conservation outreach on free fixture rebates, leak detection, and education through its Watershed-Wise yard program. Turf removal in Portland is unregulated and unincentivized, though landscaping in tree-protected and stormwater-managed sites must comply with PCC 11.50 and PCC 33.248.

Portland Turf Replacement and Water Conservation (Portland Water Bureau)

Few Restrictions

Leak Reporting Duty

Portland Water Bureau offers leak adjustments on customer bills when undetected leaks are documented and repaired promptly, encouraging early reporting and AMI smart-meter alerts to detect unusual flow.

Customer Leak Detection and Adjustment Program

Few Restrictions

Looking for Multnomah County county-wide rules?

County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Portland city rules.

Water Use Rules in Multnomah County