Water restrictions in Portland, OR — also called the watering schedule, outdoor irrigation rules, or drought ordinance — set which days and hours you can run sprinklers or irrigation.
Portland generally has plentiful water from the Bull Run Watershed and does not impose year-round outdoor watering schedules. The Portland Water Bureau (PWB) operates a tiered drought-response plan under PCC Title 21 with voluntary curtailment (Stage 1) escalating to mandatory restrictions (Stages 2-4) if Bull Run reservoir levels fall. PCC 21.12.230 prohibits waste of water at all times, and PCC 21.16 authorizes emergency curtailment orders.
PCC Title 21 ('Water') governs Portland's water utility. PCC 21.12.230 makes wasteful use of water — runoff onto streets, broken irrigation, leaks left unrepaired — a violation year-round. PCC 21.16.020 gives the Water Bureau Administrator authority to declare a Water Curtailment with four stages: Stage 1 voluntary 5-10% reduction; Stage 2 mandatory measures (odd/even day watering, no daytime irrigation 10am-6pm); Stage 3 stronger limits (no ornamental fountains, car-wash restrictions); Stage 4 emergency (no outdoor watering except hand-held). Portland has declared Stage 1 watering advisories in some recent dry summers but rarely escalates beyond. The City urges efficiency through rebates on rain barrels and irrigation upgrades (BES), and PWB's CommunityWatershed Council coordinates conservation outreach. Unlike many cities, Portland does NOT have a permanent lawn-watering schedule.
Violation of a declared curtailment order is enforced under PCC 21.16.030 with civil penalties — typical first-offense fines $100-$500, escalating to $1,000+ for repeat violations, with the option to terminate water service for chronic non-compliance under PCC 21.36. Wasteful-use violations under PCC 21.12.230 typically begin with a courtesy notice; ignored notices can trigger administrative fines and surcharges on the water bill.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Multnomah County.
See how other cities in Multnomah County handle water restrictions.
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