Portland, OR Public Conduct: Skateboarding Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Sidewalk ban zone
- SW Jefferson to 13th Ave downtown
- Sidewalk/street fine
- $115 minimum
- Nighttime street ban
- 10pm-7am near Washington Park
- Headgear rule
- Required under age 16
- Rules-of-road fine
- $250 for violations
Summary
Portland bans skateboards, in-line skates, and scooters on sidewalks within the downtown core bounded by SW Jefferson, Naito Parkway, NW Hoyt, and 13th Avenue, with a minimum $115 fine for violations.
No person may use roller skates, including in-line skates, skateboards, scooters, or other similar devices powered exclusively by human power upon any sidewalk within the area bounded by and including SW Jefferson, Naito Pkwy, NW Hoyt and 13th Ave. The middle and bisecting sidewalks in the Park Blocks are considered sidewalks for the purposes of this Subsection.
B. No person may use roller skates, including in-line skates, skateboards, scooters, or other similar devices powered exclusively by human power upon any street, roadway or sidewalk on
1. SW 5th or 6th Ave between SW Lincoln and Burnside; and on
2. NW 5th or 6th Ave between Burnside and Union Station.
C. No person may use roller skates, including in-line skates, skateboards, scooters, or other similar devices powered exclusively by human power upon any street, roadway or sidewalk between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. on
1. SW Fairview Blvd between SW Knights Blvd and SW Kingston Ave;
2. SW Kingston Ave between SW Tichner Dr and the Washington Park entrance;
3. SW Tichner Dr between SW Kingston Ave and SW Marconi Ave;
4. SW Marconi Ave;
5. SW Park Place between SW Marconi Ave and SW Wright Ave;
6. SW Lafayette Pl;
7. SW Hampshire St between SW Lafayette Pl and SW Champlain Dr;
8. SW Champlain Dr between SW Hampshire St and SW Rutland Ter;
9. SW Rutland Ter; and
10. West Burnside St from Skyline Blvd to SW Vista Ave.
Full Breakdown
City Code § 16.70.410 prohibits skateboards, in-line skates, and scooters on sidewalks in the downtown core: the area bounded by SW Jefferson, Naito Parkway, NW Hoyt, and 13th Avenue, including the Park Blocks' middle and bisecting sidewalks. A separate ban covers SW/NW 5th and 6th Avenues between Burnside and Union Station, and additional streets near Washington Park are off-limits between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. Riders elsewhere on streets must follow Oregon Vehicle Code rules of the road, yield to overtaking traffic, and use required lights after dark. Riders under 16 must wear protective headgear.
Violations & Fines
Violating the sidewalk, street, or nighttime-hours bans carries a minimum $115 fine; skipping the rules-of-the-road requirement is a separate $250 fine, and riding without required headgear under 16 draws up to $25.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I skateboard on downtown Portland sidewalks?
What's the fine for illegal skateboarding in Portland?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Portland
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