Portland SDC Waiver Proposal Advances with HBA Support

In a significant step toward addressing Portland’s housing crisis, Mayor Wilson and Governor Tina Kotek have announced a city initiative to waive System Development Charges (SDCs) for the next three years—or until 5,000 housing units have been built, whichever comes first.

HBA and members of the Portland Building and Urban Development Council testified in support of the ordinance at the June 16 Finance Committee hearing, which passed the measure unanimously with a favorable amendment to enact the policy 30 days after passage.

The current proposal includes the following provisions:

1. The 5,000-unit cap remains but may be subject to adjustment at Council discretion.
2. The exemption period would extend from the date of enactment through September 30, 2028.
3. Projects with permits issued prior to enactment would not be eligible for retroactive exemption.
4. The waiver would apply to single-family homes, multifamily developments, duplexes, and triplexes.
5. Projects must reach the concrete pour inspection stage to qualify.
6. Exemptions would be granted at project initiation but subject to repayment if key deadlines are not met.

The ordinance was introduced before the full City Council on June 25. HBA, along with coalition partners, testified in opposition to a proposed amendment by Councilwoman Avalos that would have prematurely halted the program for review before it reached its threshold goals. That amendment was defeated unanimously with Councilwoman Avalos not voting.