Frequently Asked Questions

The emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis, is an invasive insect that attacks and kills ash trees (Fraxinus spp.). White fringe trees (Chionanthus virginicus) and cultivated olive (Olea europaea) are also at risk.

EAB was first discovered in the U.S. in 2002 in southeastern Michigan. In the two decades following this discovery, EAB has spread rapidly in all directions, infesting much of the Midwest and East Coast. The first observance of EAB on the West Coast occurred in June 2022, in Forest Grove, Oregon.

 Learn how to identify the EAB.

State EAB link:  https://oregon-eab-geo.hub.arcgis.com/pages/identify#destination2 

Watch this informative video: What is EAB and Where is it found?

Many trees in Oregon are ash trees. Oregon ash (Fraxinus latifolia) is an important native tree that grows along rivers, streams, and throughout the Willamette Valley. Many other types of ash trees are commonly planted throughout communities – in yards, parks, and along streets.  

All species of ash in Oregon are susceptible to EAB. EAB adults lay their eggs on ash trees, and after hatching, the larvae burrow under the bark to feed on the tree, eventually cutting off its supply of water and nutrients. Once an ash tree becomes infested, the tree will die over the course of three to seven years.

Ash trees play a critical role in Lake Oswego's urban forest. Not only do they contribute to the aesthetic value of neighborhoods, they also provide shade, habitat, and erosion control, particularly in riparian zones (wetlands and stream corridors). An EAB infestation could devastate these vital ecosystems, leading to a loss of tree canopy, increased invasive plant growth, and diminished habitat for local wildlife. 

In addition, as ash trees die, they become extremely brittle and can be hazardous to people, property, and infrastructure. Removal of EAB infested trees can be costly.

Learn how to identify ash trees.

• State EAB link:  https://oregon-eab-geo.hub.arcgis.com/pages/identify#destination1 
• OSU Extension link: https://extension.oregonstate.edu/gallery/recognizing-ash-trees-oregon-w...

There are no known methods to eradicate EAB.  However, it is possible to slow the spread of EAB.

While the loss of our ash trees is inevitable, identifying infestations early and slowing the spread will give communities time to plan to mitigate the economic and ecological impacts of the pest.

The most up-to-date information is available on the Oregon EAB Map. 

State EAB link:  https://oregon-eab-geo.hub.arcgis.com/pages/survey-monitoring 

Of the City’s total tree canopy coverage, 20% is on publicly-owned or managed property (which includes parks, natural areas and public rights-of-way). The remaining 80% is on private property.

The City is implementing practices to best manage and slow the loss of trees on the publicly-owned or managed property. Slowing the spread of the EAB gives us more time to prepare for its arrival, reduces high costs related to the removal or treatment of infested trees, and helps protect our urban forest.

The City has been preparing for EAB’s arrival since 2023 and is working closely with state and local partners. 

For key actions, visit:   www.lakeoswego.city/emerald-ash-borer/what-city-doing    

Preemptive ash tree removal and replacement is safer and more cost-effective than waiting until trees become hazardous. This approach allows the City to control the timing of removals, avoid emergency response costs and risks, and provide more time to establish healthy replacement trees. While preemptive removal will cause canopy loss, it allows the City to manage that loss gradually and replant in advance. Waiting until ash trees become hazardous risks a larger, sudden loss of canopy, along with higher removal costs and greater risk to public safety.

About 80% of the City’s tree canopy is located on private property. 

While the City is preparing to slow the spread of the EAB and protect our urban forest on publicly-owned or managed property (which includes parks, natural areas and public rights-of-way), we are encouraging residents to take steps to best manage trees on their property. Property owners are responsible for the care and maintenance of trees located on their property. 

Here are a few things you can do to help:

• Learn more about the EAB
• Determine if you have an ash tree on your property
• Work with an ISA-Certified Arborist
• Properly care for your ash trees
• Avoid moving firewood
• Help detect and report EAB

Details can be found at:  www.lakeoswego.city/emerald-ash-borer/what-you-can-do      

Even though it's inevitable that EAB will spread in Oregon, containing it for as long as possible gives communities like ours more time to prepare.

Insecticide treatment is an incredibly effective option for both keeping ash trees alive and saving money. Mature trees provide many financial benefits such as reducing energy costs by providing shade and insulation, reducing flood risk, and improving human health by filtering air pollution. These benefits are lost when large trees have to be cut down. If your tree has lost less than 30% of its canopy consult with an ISA Certified Arborist on treatment options to protect the tree. Read more about insecticide treatments.

State EAB link: https://oregon-eab-geo.hub.arcgis.com/pages/eab-management#treatment 

The ideal EAB trunk injection window in Oregon is mid-May through mid-June, after trees have fully leafed out but before the eggs hatch. Injections require the tree to be actively moving water and nutrients to properly distribute the insecticide throughout the canopy. 

• Spring (Mid-May to June): The most optimal time to inject. The tree is actively transpiring, ensuring rapid uptake and distribution before the damaging larval stage begins. 
• Summer (July to August): This is when larvae begin feeding actively. Injections are still effective, though slightly less efficient due to summer heat stress. 
• Fall (September to October): Can be used for active infestations, but tree uptake slows down. It is generally recommended to stick to spring/summer for best results. 
• Winter: Injections should not be performed because the tree is dormant and not actively transporting fluids.

You can find an ISA-Certified Arborist at: https://certificates.directory.isa-arbor.com  

A certified arborist can assess your trees and help you decide how best to manage them.

The City of Lake Oswego requires tree removal permits for trees 6” in diameter at breast height (DBH) or larger. If you would like to request removal of a tree 6” DBH or larger, please visit the City's tree website - www.lakeoswego.city/trees - for applications, or contact Planning staff at [email protected] or 503-635-0290 for assistance.

The City Council approved updates to the City’s Tree Code. As part of this update, the City has created a new low-cost, over-the-counter tree removal permit for EAB-susceptible ash trees (a permit is required for ash trees 6 inches or larger in diameter at breast height). The permit allows property owners to proactively remove ash trees before an infestation occurs or remove trees that become infested. These updates go into effect October 1, 2026. 

First, it’s helpful to understand how EAB impacts ash trees. Unlike elms, oaks, and maples, ash trees use a thin ring of conducting tissue to supply water from the roots to the entire tree. When ash trees become infested with EAB, the larvae damage these functional water pipes as they chew just beneath the bark inside trunks and branches. This internal structure damage makes the trees extremely brittle, making the trees hazardous and unsafe for arborists to climb or remove. 

Removal cost vary significantly per-tree based on current health, size, location, and amount of debris hauled off. Street-side trees and trees within a park with easy access, such as Foothills Park, will be much less expensive to remove than a tree in a hard-to-access natural area. Trees with significant decline (structural damage) take longer to cut and may require specialized equipment such as mechanical lifts, bucket trucks, or cranes to complete the removals safely resulting in increased costs.

Investing public resources in proactive management strategies – such as removing ash trees before they become infested and structurally compromised – is typically safer and more cost-effective than waiting to remove them after an EAB infestation.

To improve safety and reduce future costs, the City has begun proactively removing ash trees identified as hazardous by an ISA Certified Arborist.

As part of the EAB Readiness & Response Plan, the City will replace unhealthy and small ash trees in City parks with new tree species that are not vulnerable to this pest. You may see impacts to parks as the ash trees are removed. These trees will be replanted, though the planting location may vary.  

Healthy ash trees continue to provide benefits, including cooling our neighborhoods during summer heat, cleaning our air, and making our city beautiful. 

In natural areas both active and passive management is needed. Leaving standing dead ash may be the most realistic and cost-effective option. This “do nothing” strategy may be appropriate for trees in low-risk areas away from infrastructure, housing and other structures, and high-use spaces.

Why shouldn’t I move firewood? What does it mean to “Buy it where you burn it?”

Moving firewood is the primary way that EAB and other invasive forest pests spread. Even though EAB only attacks living ash trees, the larvae and pupae can stay living in wood for up to 2 years after a tree has been cut down. If infested firewood is brought to a campsite and then left unburned onsite, EAB adults can emerge in the spring and begin infesting ash trees in a new area. This is why it's extremely important to purchase or collect firewood within 10 miles of where you plan to burn it. Learn more at www.dontmovefirewood.org

Another option is to buy certified heat-treated firewood, where wood is heated by a certified facility at 160°F for at least 60 minutes. After treatment, firewood will no longer contain wood-boring pests like EAB. In Oregon, certified heat-treated firewood is often sold in bundles at grocery stores - just be sure to read the label carefully. "Kiln dried" is not a defined industry term; best practice is to directly ask wood producers if their kiln drying methods reach this temperature standard.

Yes. The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) has established a permanent quarantine covering the infested counties, prohibiting the movement of ash, white fringe, and olive plant materials (including firewood) outside those areas. 

ODA Link:  https://www.oregon.gov/oda/ippm/survey-treatment/pages/emerald-ash-borer... 

Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) regulates invasive pest quarantines in the state. In December 2022, ODA enacted its first county-wide EAB quarantine in Oregon, and has updated its boundaries as infestations are confirmed in new counties. The quarantine limits movement of ash, olive, and white fringetree wood or live trees without proper treatment. When EAB is confirmed in a new county, the quarantine automatically updates to include the entirety of the new county. To learn more and see if you live in a quarantined county, read about the quarantine.

State EAB Link: https://oregon-eab-geo.hub.arcgis.com/pages/quarantine 

ODA Link: https://www.oregon.gov/oda/ippm/survey-treatment/pages/emerald-ash-borer... 

If you suspect you have an ash tree with EAB, please report sightings using the Oregon Invasive Species Hotline or by calling 1-866-INVADER.

If you own or manage a tree that you are concerned about, call an ISA-Certified Arborist for a consultation.

Oregon Invasive Species Online Hotline:  https://oregoninvasiveshotline.org/

Find an ISA-Certified Arborist:  https://certificates.directory.isa-arbor.com  

Before reporting: 

• Confirm that the tree is indeed an ash:
  • Ash tree identification
  • https://oregon-eab-geo.hub.arcgis.com/pages/identify#destination1  
     
• Learn to recognize EAB and its signs and symptoms:
  • EAB identification
    https://oregon-eab-geo.hub.arcgis.com/pages/identify#destination2 
  • EAB look-alikes
    https://www.oregon.gov/oda/ippm/survey-treatment/Documents/EABLookAlikes...   
  • EAB signs and symptoms
    ​https://oregon-eab-geo.hub.arcgis.com/pages/identify#destination3  

Due to a lack of volunteers, notary services at the Library are suspended indefinitely.

For more information on notary services, including training requirements and locating notaries in your area, visit the Secretary of State's website.

If you are a Notary Public and willing to volunteer your services, please call the library's Volunteer Coordinator, Nancy Niland at 503-675-2538.

See the US Department of State website for more information.  Please be sure to have the following documents when applying for a passport book or passport card:

• Two identical passport photos (2 inches by 2 inches) taken within the last six (6) months. Glasses are not acceptable in passport photos.  The city provides photo services for $15 a pair.

• Proof of citizenship (link is external). An original United States birth certificate with a raised seal, a certified copy of your birth certificate issued by the Vital Statistics Department of a State Registrar's Office from the state in which you were born, a previously issued US passport, or a certificate of naturalization.
  For Minors a birth certificate showing the names and relationship* of both parents must be submitted for each child age 15 and younger, even when there is a previous US Passport. 

• Current picture identification, such as a state driver's license or ID card. See Department of Homeland Security (DHS) REAL ID FAQ page.

• Check or money order for payment to the US Department of State.

Visit the US Department of State at this link https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports.html for additional information for the following items:

• How do I apply for or Renew a Passport and what are the Required Documents needed?

• How do I track my Application Status?

• How do I report a Lost or Stolen Passport?

Do I have to submit my original birth certificate or any other citizenship documents with my passport application?  Yes (or a certified copy), the US Department of State will mail applicants their passport book and/or passport cards and will return birth certificates and naturalization certificates submitted with applications as well (oftentimes separately).

We are located in the Finance Department on the third floor in City Hall at 380 A Avenue, Lake Oswego. Our Business Hours are 8 a.m.- 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, subject to holiday closures and inclement weather.

Please go to www.lakeoswego.city/pay.

• Hospital birth certificates; California abstract birth certificates; and some Texas abstract birth certificates are not acceptable for proof of citizenship.

• Puerto Rican birth certificates:  The US Department of State will only accept Puerto Rican birth certificates issued on or after July 1, 2010 as primary evidence of US citizenship. For more information on the Puerto Rican birth certificate law visit the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration website at https://prfaa.pr.gov/ (English).

Passports applications are by appointment only 8:00 a.m - 3:30 p.m. at the Finance counter on the 3rd floor of City Hall, Monday through Friday.   
 

Utility Payments

What are the components of my utility bill?
The four utility services that the City invoices monthly are Water, Sewer, Stormwater, and Street Maintenance.

How do I find information on water conservation?
The Water Conservation page is located under the Public Works department.

Can I receive my utility bill by email?
Yes.  You can sign up for E-Statements to have your bill sent directly to your email instead of by regular mail. Contact the utility department for more information on this convenient service at (503) 635-0265.

I'm paying my water bill... who do I make the check out to?
Checks for water bills should be made payable to "City of Lake Oswego" and mailed to:

      City of Lake Oswego
      PO Box 35147 #5890
      Seattle, WA 98124-5147

Can I pay my utility bill electronically?
Yes. Our Utility Department has an "auto-pay" program called EasyPay. Your bank will pay the bill straight from your bank account, allowing plenty of time to review your bill and call us with any questions before your payment is due. An application for the EasyPay program can be obtained at City Hall or by calling our Utility Department at 503-635-0265.

Another way to pay your bill electronically is with your MasterCard or VISA credit card using UtilityOnline. This is an on-line program, where you can review your utility account, history, and consumption, as well as place service requests, and make credit card payments on-line from the convenience and security of your home computer.

Why are utility rate increases needed?
Utility rate increases may be necessary to generate additional revenue for capital improvements as approved in the City's 6-year capital improvement plan. The City Council's goal is to only increase utility rates moderately, when necessary, to minimize the financial hardship to utility customers.

If you have an emergency or need to have your water turned off, the City can assist in that effort.

• Getting Your Water Turned Off
  If you would like to schedule an appointment to turn your water off at the City's shut-off valve, please call Public Works at (503) 635-0280. Appointments can be made Monday through Friday from 8:00 am - 2:30 pm. There is no charge for this service during regular business hours, however, if you require after hours assistance there is a charge of $80.00.


• Emergency Water Shut-off - Call 503-635-0238
  If you have an emergency after business hours and need to get your water turned off, please call the Lake Oswego Police Dispatch at 503-635-0238.
   

Population, Taxes, and the Budget

What is the population of the City of Lake Oswego?
City population over the last ten years has been as follows:

How many employees does the City have?
The City currently has budgeted 407.8 full-time equivalents.

Where does the City get its money?
The largest source comes from property taxes. The second largest source comes from sales and services such as utility charges.

Where does the City spend its money?
Currently, the City has 21 separate funds set up for different purposes. The major funds include the General Fund and the Utility funds.  The General Fund includes various departments such as General Administration, Police, Fire, Parks and Recreation, Library, and Planning.

Who collects property taxes for the City? Where do I go with questions about that?
The majority of the City of Lake Oswego is located in Clackamas County. Property taxes are collected by the Clackamas County Department of Assessment & Taxation. This county agency then distributes the City's portion as collected. For questions and/or inquires, please contact the Assessor's Office at 503-655-8671.  (Small areas of the City are located in Multnomah and Washington counties.  Those counties also collect their respective property taxes for the City.)

When is the budget for the City of Lake Oswego presented?
The budget process for developing the City's budget begins in the spring of each year with adoption by the City Council targeted for June. The Budget Committee has 7 elected City Council members and 7 appointed citizens, all with equal voting rights. After the committee reviews and recommends changes, if any, the budget is forwarded to the City Council for formal adoption prior to the end of the current fiscal year, June 30.

Where can I get a copy of the City's budgets and/or year-end audit reports?
Budgets and audit reports are available online. Alternatively, the Finance Department at City Hall will provide a copy of the report at a cost of $25 each. You may also review copies of these documents at the Library in the Reference section.
 

The City's Larger Financial Picture

How much bonded debt does the City of Lake Oswego have?
See municipal bond issues.

What are the credit or bond ratings for the City of Lake Oswego?
A credit rating is a current opinion of the credit worthiness of an obligor with respect to a financial obligation. View the City of Lake Oswego credit ratings.

What is the City of Lake Oswego's D-U-N-S Number?
This number is a distinctive nine-digit identification provided by Dun & Bradstreet which links the user to a wealth of quality information products and services an organization provides. The City's number is: 06-524-8932.

What is the City of Lake Oswego's Tax ID Number?
This number is a distinctive nine-digit identification provided by the Internal Revenue Service. The City's number is: 93-6002231.

How do I purchase bonds issued by the City?
These bonds are sold through an investment broker. Contact your broker and inquire whether the firm has any available for purchase.

Regular processing time for passport applications is typically 4 - 6 weeks.  (During the peak time of year February — August it can be 6 - 8 weeks... Apply Early).  Expedited Passports may be received within 3 weeks with an extra $60 processing fee and if payment is included for overnight return mail delivery service. Visit the US Department of State official website for the latest processing time.

How do I get a Passport in a hurry?  Visit this US Department of State webpage.

What is the REAL ID Act?  It’s regarding current picture identification, such as a state driver's license or ID card. 

Are there a few exceptions to the documentation needed for travel due to special circumstances? 
Visit the US Department of Homeland Security's website in the WHTI Land and Sea FAQ.

What is Visa and how do I get one?  A visa is an endorsement or stamp placed in your passport by a foreign government that permits you to visit that country for a specified purpose and a limited time -- for example, a 3-month tourist visa. Passport Acceptance Facilities cannot help you obtain visas.  To learn more about visas and how to apply for one go to http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en.html.

More FAQ are available at the US Department of State website…
travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/apply-renew-passport/faqs

There are several options:

Easy Pay (automatic payments from your bank account)

Please go to www.ci.oswego.or.us/finance/utility-payment-options-and-statements print off the EasyPay form, fill it out and mail to:

Finance Department
City of Lake Oswego
PO BOX 369
Lake Oswego OR 97034-0369

Online (individually authorized payment on the Internet)

Please go to www.lakeoswego.city/pay and follow the steps.

By Mail (payment by check or money-order)

Please send your utility bill payment voucher with a check or money order to:

City of Lake Oswego
PO Box 35147 #5890
Seattle, WA 98124-5147

Drop it off (check or money-order)

There is a secure drop box inside the first set of doors at the back entrance of City Hall in downtown Lake Oswego.  Please, enclose your remittance voucher with the payment.  Payments left in the drop box will be picked up at 8:00 a.m. the next business day.*

* Please note that all payments must be received in our office by the due date to avoid penalties and/or service interruption.

          In Person

You may make a payment in person at the Finance Counter at City Hall.  We accept cash, checks, money orders, and Visa and Master Card credit cards.  Business Hours are 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday (subject to holiday closures and inclement weather).

            Over the Phone (credit card) – Sorry, limited service

We do not accept over-the-phone credit card payments except in hardship cases and emergencies.

All payments must be received in our office by the due date to avoid penalties and/or service interruption.

Please visit www.lakeoswego.city/finance/master-fees-and-charges for a complete list.

Please go to www.lakeoswego.city/service and fill out the Service Form to Establish Service.

Please go to www.lakeoswego.city/service and fill out the Service Form to Discontinue Service.

Please go to www.ci.oswego.or.us/finance/utility-payment-options-and-statements print off the EasyPay form, fill it out the form and Mail to:

Utility Department
City of Lake Oswego
PO BOX 369
Lake Oswego OR 97034-0369

Please call the Utility Department at 503-635-0265 or go to https://www.ci.oswego.or.us/finance/utility-payment-options-and-statements print off the form, and mail it to Utility Department City of Lake Oswego PO BOX 369 Lake Oswego, OR 97034.

Email the Utility Department at [email protected]

Fill out a form at this link.

Please fill out our leak adjustment form.

Please go to https://www.lakeoswego.city/finance/webforms/email-statement - fill in the form and click on submit to sign up.

Call 503-635-0265 during regular business hours; or police dispatch 503-635-0238 after regular business hours; or send an email to [email protected].

Competition Pool

• The “comp” pool features twelve 25-yard lanes with a consistent 9-foot depth. This pool is kept colder for lap swim-around 80-82 degrees (temperatures vary on daily basis).

 Rec Pool

• The “rec” pool has three 25-yard lanes that go from 3 ½ to 5 feet deep, a splash/play area about 1 ½ feet deep, and a water slide with a splashdown area approximately 3 ½ ft deep.
• Water temps will be warmer for swim lessons and recreational activities, with regular temps around 84-86 degrees (temperatures vary on daily basis).

Spa

• The spa is around 103 degrees (temp varies depending on weather outside, number of users, etc.) and can hold up to 17 people.
• The spa is routinely shut down for regular ongoing maintenance to ensure it is up to Oregon Health Authority code.

*All pool areas have lifeguards on duty.

• Yes, and we have times for children, too. Please check the schedule for more detailed information.

• The LORAC partners with Lake Oswego Swim Club (LOSC) and rents to Lake Oswego Water Polo Club. They are a valued part of our community and we are happy to support their programs. They handle all registrations and details about practices, coaching, etc. Please contact them directly for more information.

• Shallow Water Fitness (Rec Pool) and Deep Water Aerobics (Comp Pool) are currently offered as Membership classes. We are continually working on adding more specialty classes as well, such as Aqua Mat Yoga or Aqua Zumba!

• Kickboards, pull buoys, water weights, flotation belts, and lifejackets are all available.

• The LORAC allows the use of snorkels or mask and snorkel combos for adult swimmers who are proficient with their use. Snorkel use is limited to adults (13 years or older), limited to the Competition Pool, and only during lap swim time.

Aquatics Lessons

• Lesson curriculum is based off the American Red Cross Learn to Swim program.

• Levels vary depending on the season and pool availability. Please check our website or seasonal activity guide for the most up to date information.

• Lessons times and days vary depending on the season and pool availability. Please check our website or seasonal activity guide for the most up-to-date information.

• Yes, we do offer private lessons. 

• Parents only need to be in the water for the parent/child classes, but should remain nearby if needed, especially for preschool level classes.

• Any family members who would like to use other areas, including the pool, during lessons must pay the daily use fee or scan their membership card upon entry. If lesson participants are very young, it is recommended to stay nearby in case they need to use the restroom during lessons.

• If any participant has not yet been potty-trained or has incontinence issues, they will need to wear either a swim diaper or rubber underwear for swimming.

• Yes, with a few exceptions:
• Parent/Child* – no age overrides
• Preschool & Learn to Swim Levels* - a 6-month window on either side is acceptable
• Adult/Teen classes* – no age overrides

*Contact the Aquatics Supervisor with questions/concerns

"Middle housing" includes duplexes, triplexes, quadplexes, townhouses and cottage clusters. These housing options are a similar footprint as a conventional, single-family house, but include multiple dwellings. The dwellings may be rented or owner-occupied and may be attached or detached.

There are five types of middle housing:

• Duplex: 2 attached dwelling units on one lot.
• 
• Triplex: 3 attached dwelling units on one lot.
• 
• Quadplex: 4 attached dwelling units on one lot.
• 
• Townhouse: Between 2 and 4 attached dwelling units, each on their own lot.
• 
• Cottage Clusters: A grouping of five to eight small houses oriented around a common greenspace or courtyard.
• 

The State Legislature had three housing goals for HB 2001: options, supply, and diversity.

• Options: Provide more housing options to meet needs of different households.
• 
• Supply: Increase overall housing supply.
• 
• Diversity: Encourage more inclusive neighborhoods by allowing more affordable housing types in more areas.
• 

House Bill 2001 required the City of Lake Oswego to amend our Community Development Code by June 30, 2022.

Staff released a public review draft of the proposed code amendments on March 7, 2022, which were considered at the Planning Commission's public hearing on April 11, 2022. A subsequent Public Hearing at City Council was held on May 17, 2022, resulting in adoption of the final code amendments to comply with the middle housing requirements of HB 2001.

If the city had not been able to adopt code that complied with middle housing requirements by June 30, 2022, the State's standardized Middle Housing Model Code would have automatically been applied to the City.

Yes. All cities and counties with a population of 10,000 or more within Oregon, unincorporated areas within the Portland Metro boundary that are served by sufficient urban services, and all cities within the Portland Metro boundary with a population of more than 1,000 are required to comply with House Bill 2001.

Middle housing units are generally smaller and more affordable to buy or rent than a detached, single-family house. More middle housing units could result in more affordable housing options.

Allowing middle housing in Lake Oswego will also provide property owners with more flexibility to build on their land. Homeowners will be able to add rental units to their property to offset the costs of homeownership and to accommodate different household needs, such as seniors aging in place or singles seeking rentals.

Additionally, allowing middle housing will eliminate existing zoning restrictions that have historically contributed to the exclusion of underrepresented populations in certain neighborhoods.

HB 2001 required the City of Lake Oswego and other "Large Cities" (Portland metro area cities, and cities with more than 25,000 residents) to allow all middle housing types in areas zoned for detached single-family dwellings.

The bill also outlined that cities may regulate siting and design of middle housing. However, cities were not permitted to adopt standards or requirements that result in unreasonable cost or delay in the development of middle housing.

The Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) adopted minimum standards for compliance with HB 2001 (Division 46), as well as a Middle Housing Model Code in December 2020. Though these standards were relatively prescriptive in defining what cities can and cannot do, they did provide some flexibility for the City to make decisions within certain parameters.

The City was required to make a number of changes to the Community Development Code in order to comply with HB 2001 and not be compelled to adopt the State's Model Code. Major changes included adding definitions for new middle housing types and allowing middle housing in the same areas where detached single-family dwellings are permitted today. This was a significant policy shift in areas where middle housing types are not currently permitted (such as the R-15, R-10, R-7.5, R-6, and R-W zone districts) and a more moderate shift in areas that currently allow some middle housing development (such as the R-5, R-DD, R-3, R-2 and R-0 zone districts).

For more information about zoning in your area, please visit the City's LO Maps website.

Because Lake Oswego's development code previously did not allow for these options in most zoning districts, the City amended its Community Development Code on June 7, 2022, in order to comply with the bill.

As directed by the City Council, the City proposed draft code amendments that comply with HB 2001, while maintaining consistency with the community's sense of place, neighborhood character, and livability. The City Council adopted final middle housing code amendments on June 7, 2022.

This multiyear project began in late 2019, when City Council requested that staff monitor the State of Oregon's rulemaking process regarding the implementation of HB 2001. Staff tracked numerous meetings of the Rulemaking Advisory Committee (RAC) and other technical advisory committees established by the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD). Staff provided a total of 14 monthly written and oral reports to the Planning Commission to ensure the community was kept informed about the State's rulemaking progress and key issues related to the bill.

On December 9, 2020, the Land Conservation and Development Commission adopted the implementing rules for HB 2001 (Division 46), which provides the roadmap for local governments' compliance with HB 2001. Following the adoption of these rules, the Planning Commission hosted several presentations in order to learn directly from professionals who were involved in the development of HB 2001 or have specific expertise related to middle housing.

City staff, working with a consultant team led by Cascadia Partners, researched and gathered other information to help educate the community about the new State rules. The process was publicly initiated through a "kickoff meeting" in January 2020 to inform neighborhood association chairs of engagement opportunities available during the first phase of work. All City-recognized neighborhood associations were invited to participate. These engagement opportunities included Neighborhood Character Interviews that were coordinated with representatives from 17 different neighborhood associations, as well as a Neighborhood Character Survey that received 880 responses reflecting input from residents of all 28 Lake Oswego neighborhoods.

The results of this work provided a rich source information that allowed City staff to better understand the physical characteristics that residents value the most in their respective neighborhoods. These results are summarized and reflected in the Neighborhood Character Report, which includes a qualitative analysis of the development patterns, character and architectural history of Lake Oswego neighborhoods based on extensive research and analysis. Other phase-one work included a Plan and Code Audit Memo that identified Comprehensive Plan and Community Development Code sections that must be updated for compliance with HB 2001 and a Middle Housing Opportunities Report, including concepts and alternatives for amending the Comprehensive Plan and CDC for middle housing, consistent with HB 2001.

City Council directed staff (with Planning Commission and public input) to prepare code amendments that are required to be adopted by the state-mandated deadline of June 30, 2022 and which are consistent with the MHCAC's recommendations. More recently, the Planning Commission held four work sessions to discuss remaining policy questions related to proposed code amendments. Code amendment recommendations developed by staff (under the guidance of the Planning Commission) were then presented to City Council at their meeting on February 15, 2022.

In early December 2021, the City hosted the first virtual Middle Housing Community Forum to provide information on the City's approach to middle housing and to allow for public input before drafting recommended code changes. This effort included launching an accompanying StoryMap and Survey that was made available to the public for several weeks. The City hosted a second virtual Community Forum on March 22, 2022, to provide information and answer questions about the proposed code amendments, and staff is providing presentations to neighborhood associations upon request.

The state’s minimum requirements for middle housing in Oregon Administrative Rule 660 (Division 46) provided cities with more control over the design of middle housing and less control over the location or density of middle housing. Cities were allowed to adopt specific siting and design standards for middle housing, within certain limits. This means that the City could:

• Apply the same minimum lot size standard that applies to single-family housing (except not to townhouses);
• Apply the same design standards that apply to single-family housing; and
• Apply the same dimensional standards (maximum height, setbacks, lot coverage, maximum floor area, etc.) that apply to
• single-family housing.

According to Division 46, the City generally could not:

• Limit middle housing to a small area within residential zones;
• Require significantly larger lots for middle housing than single-family housing;
• Apply more restrictive design or dimensional standards to middle housing than single-family housing; or
• Require more than one parking space per middle housing unit.

City staff and a consultant team led by Cascadia Partners analyzed Lake Oswego neighborhoods to understand the physical characteristics and design attributes that residents value the most. This analysis is summarized the “Neighborhood Character Report”. The Report also documents residents’ concerns about the potential for neighborhood change due to development of middle housing and provides strategies for how new housing can be integrated into the community based on distinct “character areas” and consistent with identified values. In addition, the Middle Housing Code Advisory Committee appointed by City Council included representatives from Lake Oswego’s neighborhood associations.

The City held their second virtual Community Forum event on March 22, 2022, and staff provided presentations to neighborhood associations upon request.

It’s too early to know for sure. While middle housing is permitted in some cities, currently, Oregon is the first state to adopt middle housing requirements on a statewide basis. This means that there are limited examples or case studies that might give us an accurate sense of how this change will impact the housing market at a neighborhood scale.

That being said, the data coming from “hot” housing markets in Oregon that currently allow middle housing – cities like Bend or Portland – indicates only small incremental increases in development due to middle housing of 1 to 3 percent over a period of twenty years.

While the bill was intended to permit middle housing in areas where it wasn’t previously allowed, it doesn’t prohibit the development of detached single-family homes. Though more housing types will be permitted within all residential zones, the overall scale or mass of middle housing buildings will still be subject to the same zoning requirements as detached single-family housing.

This means that middle housing developments such as duplexes, triplexes, quadplexes, and townhouses will need to work within the same three-dimensional zoning “envelope” – including setbacks, building height, floor area, lot coverage, etc. – as detached single-family housing. In other words, middle housing developments will not be permitted to be any larger than what is allowed for detached single-family housing, so any additional dwelling units constructed as middle housing would need to be contained within the same “envelope” as a single-family dwelling.

HB 2001 and Division 46 did not directly address existing private agreements, deeds, or covenants, codes, or restrictions (CC&Rs) that could impact the development of middle housing.

While the rules do prohibit new or future CC&Rs that prohibit the development of middle housing, they did nothing to alter existing agreements retroactively. City and state governments are not a party to private CC&Rs. It would be a monumental task for cities to understand where CC&Rs exist, what they prescribe, and whether they are actually enforceable through private legal action by a party to those CC&Rs.

For these reasons, DLCD has recommended that local governments not consider CC&Rs when formulating zoning code provisions for middle housing.

City Council directed staff to draft code amendments that comply with the minimum requirements of Division 46.

This means that middle housing must generally be subject to the same dimensional standards that apply to single-family dwellings in a given zoning district, including maximum height, minimum setbacks, maximum lot coverage, and other similar standards that establish the maximum bulk or “envelope” permitted on a site. With respect to design standards, the City must either apply the design standards of the DLCD Model Code or apply the same design standards that the City applies to single-family housing.

While many standards for middle housing must adhere to the same rules that apply to detached single-family dwellings in the same zone, there are certain areas where the City had more flexibility to uniquely adapt standards to middle housing.

For example, Division 46 provided cities with the flexibility to set a maximum floor area for individual units within a cottage cluster; the draft code amendments reflect that the City is proposing a maximum average floor area of between 1,000 and 1,200 sq. ft. for individual units within a cottage cluster, depending on the zoning district. The City has also proposed defining cottage cluster developments to include between five and eight cottage units, as allowed under Division 46.

The City also proposed enhanced design standards for garages and driveways in order to address the potential increased visual prominence of front-facing garages and driveways that could accompany middle housing. While these enhanced garage standards will apply to both middle housing and detached single-family dwellings, they represent a new approach that is designed to ensure garages and driveways on new buildings do not detract from existing neighborhood character in neighborhoods throughout the City.

Similar to development of single-family houses, middle housing developments will be required to connect to public water and sewer, meet stormwater requirements, receive permits for driveways, and pay all required fees, including system development charges. While the City is not allowed to prohibit middle housing in areas where sufficient infrastructure does not exist, the burden can and will be placed upon the developer to provide the infrastructure improvements necessary to support a proposed middle housing development.

Can middle housing lots be "divided"? (What is Senate Bill 458?)

In May of 2021, the Oregon Legislature adopted Senate Bill 458 (SB 458) as a follow-up to HB 2001 in order to facilitate lot divisions for middle housing that allow units to be sold or owned individually. As clarified by the State in an associated guidance document, “For any city or county subject to the requirements of House Bill 2001, Senate Bill 458 requires those jurisdictions to allow middle housing lot divisions for any HB 2001 middle housing type (duplexes, triplexes, quadplexes, townhouses, and cottage clusters)” built pursuant to the State’s minimum requirements for middle housing (ORS 197.758). SB 458 only applies to land divisions permitted on or after June 30, 2022, which is the same date as the State’s deadline for compliance with HB 2001.

The bill required that cities process middle housing land division applications using an “expedited land division” procedure, as long as the application includes a plan that:

• Complies with applicable middle housing land use regulations and the Oregon Residential Specialty Code;
• Provides separate utilities for each dwelling unit;
• Provides “Easements necessary for utilities, pedestrian access, common use areas or shared building elements, dedicated driveways/parking, and dedicated common area”; and
• Results in no more than one dwelling unit per each resulting lot or parcel.

The bill was intended to facilitate land divisions for middle housing where the original or “parent” lot complies with applicable middle housing requirements in order to make dwelling units in middle housing developments available for individual ownership. This was primarily intended to address the difficulty of making middle housing units available for ownership.

Unlike other partition or subdivision processes contained within the City’s current code, land divisions to create middle housing do not always increase in the density permitted on a lot or parcel. Because HB 2001 required that cities allow an increased number of dwelling units on parcels that meet minimum lot requirements regardless, land division applications are not necessary to develop middle housing with up to five units on parcels currently zoned for single-family residential use. New lots created through the SB 458 “expedited middle housing land division” process would not be granted additional development rights, and must be maintained to meet the standards applicable to the parent/master lot.

Cities still retain the ability to require or condition the following for middle housing land divisions:

• Prohibition of further division of the resulting lots or parcels;
• A notation in the final plat indicating approval was provided under SB 458 (later on, this will be the resultant ORS reference);
• Street frontage improvements where a lot or parcel abuts a street (consistent with House Bill 2001); and
• Right-of-way dedication, if the original parcel did not previously provide a dedication.

However, cities are not allowed to apply approval criteria beyond those provided in SB 458; this means that the City may not require additional driveways, vehicle access, parking, minimum or maximum street frontage, or other requirements that would not need to be met on the “parent” lot. While SB 458 did limit the ability for cities to condition or require such elements, compliance with all applicable middle housing regulations – including those related to vehicular access, parking, frontage width, etc. – still needs to be demonstrated on the “parent” lot prior to a middle housing land division. SB 458 specified that, in order for a middle housing proposal to be eligible for a land division, it must comply with all of the land use regulations applicable to the original lot or parcel allowed under ORS 197.758 (5) - including the full scope of administrative rules outlined in Division 46.

Yes. Though HB 2001 generally relates to duplexes triplexes, quadplexes, townhouses and cottage cluster housing, the bill also contained some provisions related to ADUs. For example, cities are not allowed to require owner-occupancy of, or minimum parking for, ADUs as of January 1, 2020; the City’s code has since been amended to reflect this change. The permit procedure for ADUs remains unchanged.

Pursuant to the minimum compliance provisions of Division 46, the City’s off-street parking requirements for all middle housing types was updated to require no more one parking space per dwelling unit – which is the current requirement for detached single-family dwellings. The adopted code amendments reflect the change to one required parking space per dwelling unit for detached single-family and middle housing dwellings.

HB 2001 required cities to amend their development codes by June 30, 2022.

The Planning Commission held a public hearing on Monday, April 11, 2022 to consider the proposed amendments. The code amendments were then presented at a City Council Public Hearing on May 17, 2022, and were adopted on June 7, 2022 - prior to the state-mandated deadline.

If the City did not adopt the standards in HB 2001 by the June 30, 2022 deadline, the City would have been required to apply the State’s Middle Housing Model Code standards, rather than its own.

As opposed to the State’s “one-size fits all” Model Code approach, City Council provided staff with direction to draft middle housing regulations unique to Lake Oswego that maintain the existing character of neighborhoods throughout the City to the fullest extent feasible.

Middle housing could take the form of either for-sale or rental housing.

As a response to concerns that it may be difficult to provide home ownership opportunities for middle housing allowed pursuant to HB 2001, the Oregon legislature adopted SB 458 in order to facilitate lot divisions for middle housing that allow units to be sold or owned individually. (For more, see the response to Question 13, above.)

By allowing cottage cluster homes, the City may encourage development of middle housing with smaller living spaces on a single level.

In addition, the Middle Housing Code Advisory Committee (MHCAC) appointed by City Council recommended that the City consider adopting financial incentives for middle housing projects that meet certain accessibility standards. While financial incentives were not within the scope of work for compliance with HB 2001 as directed by City Council, the City may consider incentives as part of a future update to the 2013 Lake Oswego Housing Needs Analysis (HNA) as required by House Bill 2003. The updated HNA is due in 2023.

Under the rules adopted by the state, cities were allowed to institute their own discretionary review processes for middle housing proposed in historic districts or on properties designated on the historic register. However, a city may not deny an application on the fact that the development is middle housing, especially based on standards related to use, occupancy, and density.

The court will excuse citizens from jury duty for a legitimate hardship on a case-by-case basis.  If you want the court to excuse you, please fill out the juror questionnaire in its entirety as soon as you receive it, and provide a written statement which explains the hardship.

Jury trials in the Lake Oswego Municipal Court occur for misdemeanor crimes only. No violation or felony cases are heard. Misdemeanor crimes are punishable by up to one year in jail and a maximum fine of $6,250. They may include Driving Under the Influence of Intoxicants, Reckless Driving, Hit and Run, Assault, Menacing, Harassment, Criminal Trespass, and certain Theft crimes.

When you report for jury duty, you will check in inside of the courtroom and be assigned a number, collect your juror fee if you so choose, and be provided a certificate of jury duty for your employer if you need it. The bailiff will assemble all of the prospective jurors into a room until jury selection begins. 

The next part of the process is jury selection, also referred to as voir dire. The judge and attorneys ask questions of the prospective jurors in order to discover any reason a particular juror might not be impartial in the case, or any other reason he or she should not serve. It allows all parties to get to know a little about the jurors before they make their jury selection. At the conclusion of voir dire, the attorneys may exercise challenges to certain prospective jurors, and a jury of 6 persons will be selected.

The jury is sworn in, and the judge will give instructions to the jurors before the actual trial begins and witnesses are called. At the conclusion of the evidence, the attorneys make closing arguments and the judge instructs the jurors on the law that applies to the case. The jurors then retire to the jury room to deliberate and reach a verdict. The verdict must be unanimous: all 6 jurors must agree either to convict or acquit the defendant of the crime. When a verdict is reached, the court receives it and excuses the jury.

The jury will not be excused until a verdict is reached. If there is no verdict by 7:00 p.m., the judge usually asks the jurors whether they wish to continue deliberating or return the following morning. Juries are usually able to reach their verdicts and be excused before 7:00 p.m., but each case is different. 

The court takes short breaks throughout the process of jury selection and trial. A recess of about 10 minutes is usually called mid-morning, and then for an hour around noon for lunch. One more short recess also occurs mid-afternoon. 

The court tries to time recesses so that they occur after a witness has finished testifying, rather than in the middle of testimony, so the actual time of the recess may vary. A phone is available in the jury room. If you need to make a phone call at a particular time, please let the bailiff know and the court will try to time one of the recesses accordingly.

No. Jury selection is intentionally random, and names are pulled from official lists (like voter registration) to ensure a large cross-section of citizens from all walks of life. This process ensures fairness by creating a pool of jurors who are called to serve as a matter of civic responsibility, as opposed to a pool of self-selected or volunteer citizens. 

Picnic shelter rentals are made on a first-reserved/fees paid basis through Parks & Recreation. Go to our online picnic shelter rentals at loparks.org.  

Permission to serve beer/wine ONLY is only granted if service is done by a caterer or OLCC licensed pourer in conjunction with a picnic shelter rental and if Host Liquor Liability Insurance of $2,000,000 is obtained. No "BYOB"

Selling of alcohol is not permitted in conjunction with a picnic shelter rental.  Alcohol is limited to beer and wine only, and serving must be restricted to designated, monitored area, and is subject to any and all OLCC rules & regulations.

Groups or individuals ARE NOT allowed to bring coolers, kegs, or individual servings of beer, wine, or hard liquor to parks.

However, possession and consumption of beer and wine is allowed during designated City sponsored events in designated areas. Consumption and possession is limited to wine and beer brought to the site by event patrons for personal consumption and is limited in time to one hour preceding the event and during the event.

You can obtain event insurance that includes Host Liquor Liability coverage from online companies such as: ​

• http://www.theeventhelper.com/ 
• http://www.privateeventinsurance.com
•  http://www.specialeventinsurance.com/

Bounce Houses, inflatables and dunk tanks are not allowed at a picnic shelter reservation.  

Yes. Barbecues can be used in conjunction with your picnic shelter reservation. Coals and grease must be safely removed from the park and may not be dumped in trash receptacles at the park. A protective, absorbent surface under barbecues is required (cardboard is OK).

We can check to see if your date choice is available over the phone, but a reservation is only confirmed after an online reservation has been made with payment of fees.

For picnic shelter reservations, payments are taken in full at the time the reservation is requested. Guidelines for payments of refundable deposits and other non-refundable fees for rentals of Premier Parks (Foothills Parks Pavilion, Millennium Plaza Park Pergola and Roehr Park Amphitheater and Dolphin) are outlined in the rental information for each facility.

We cannot give reservation fee refunds due to inclement weather. We will, however, refund your deposit.

If a reservation is canceled 14 days or more prior to the reservation date, a full refund is given, less a $10 processing fee.  If a reservation is canceled less than 14 days prior to the reservation date only the refundable deposit will be refunded.  If you know in advance that you will not be able to use your reserved time, please call Parks & Recreation so we can allow another group to use that block. Your refundable deposit will be automatically returned by mail or credited to your credit card.

No, unless you are planning to serve alcohol or using a portable BBQ. Use of picnic shelters is on a first come, first serve use and is encouraged any time the park is open and not rented by another group. A rental assures your exclusive use of the picnic shelter. Many parks have picnic tables outside of the shelters that are available on a drop-in basis only.

What does it cost to reserve a picnic shelter (not applicable to Foothills, Millennium Plaza, and Roehr Parks)?
2026 fees (2027 fees will be updated in early January):

*Deposits will be automatically refunded the week following the event provided the picnic area is left clean, neat, with no damages and you do not exceed your time block.

Reserving groups accept responsibility/liability for any damage or accidents that occur during the reserved use. If damage occurs, costs over the deposit amount must be paid within seven days of notification by the City.

No repeated meetings, gatherings or commercial use are allowed.

No. Under the Oregon Revised Statutes, LOPD officers are prohibited from enforcing immigration law or assisting Federal agencies for the sole purpose of immigration status enforcement. We work with all community members—regardless of actual or perceived immigration status—to reduce crime and enhance safety.

No. The Lake Oswego Police Department does not participate in ICE’s 287(g) program.

Yes. LOPD works with federal partners when investigating major criminal offenses such as murder, crimes against children, human trafficking, or other federal crimes occurring in our region. If an investigation becomes focused solely on enforcing immigration law, LOPD discontinues involvement.

No. Sanctuary laws protect residents from local immigration enforcement but do not give local police authority over federal agents. Federal agencies ultimately answer to federal leadership: the President, Congress, and federal courts.

Rarely. Federal agents are empowered to enforce federal law. Local police cannot obstruct federal agents performing their duties. Alleged violations of rights by federal agents are addressed through the courts.

Federal law prohibits obstructing or interfering with federal officers performing their duties. Even well‑intentioned actions by local officers could later be interpreted as interference, creating legal risk for officers and the City.

Yes. Officers may speak with federal agents in a voluntary, non‑detained manner. A consensual conversation is lawful as long as the agent would reasonably feel free to decline or walk away.

Yes. Officers may request identification in a consensual encounter. If an agent’s badge or indicators of authority are visible, officers usually will not question identity unless circumstances are highly unusual.

A consensual encounter is a voluntary interaction. An officer may ask questions, but the person is free to leave and does not have to answer.

A detention occurs when an officer communicates by their words or actions that a person is not free to leave. Detentions require reasonable suspicion of criminal activity or a violation, or probable cause for a traffic stop.

A Terry stop is a brief detention supported by reasonable suspicion that a person has committed, is committing, or is about to commit a crime. It must be limited in duration and scope.

Generally, no. A refusal to show a badge does not create reasonable suspicion of a crime. Detaining a lawful federal agent could be considered unlawful interference and could create serious legal consequences.

Laws governing interactions between local police and federal agents are complex. Misconduct by federal agents is addressed through federal courts and investigations—not local police intervention.

These situations can be emotionally difficult. Stay safe, call 911 if there is a life‑threatening emergency, and document the situation only if it is safe to do so.

The highly protected and pristine Clackamas River is the drinking water source for the City of Lake Oswego. This high-quality water source receives runoff and snowmelt from a 940 square mile area located on the western slopes of Ollalie Butte, near Timothy Lake, in the Mount Hood National Forest. Learn more here. 

The water treatment plant utilizes a state-of-the-art water treatment process, known as conventional filtration plus ozone. Learn more here. 

Sediment often settles in our water pipes and from time to time that may be disturbed which can color the water coming out of our taps. We recommend running your bath tub at full speed with cold water at for about ten minutes or until the water runs clear, to help flush the water in your lines. If the discoloration continues, please call Public Works on 503-635-0280.

Water naturally varies in taste and odor at different times of the year. Taste and odor problems can come from new or old pipelines, plumbing fixtures, or changes in water quality. Customers may notice changes predominately during weather/seasonal changes. These changes are closely monitored to ensure that they do not affect the safety of the water.

We recommend running your bath tub at full speed with cold water at for about ten minutes or until the odor improves, to help flush the water in your lines. If the odor continues, please call Public Works on 503-635-0280.

Public water systems are required by state and federal safe drinking water laws to maintain a residual chlorine level in the water to keep it safe from microbial contamination. Low levels of chlorine, below 4 ppm, are considered safe for drinking water by the EPA.

If you do not like the taste of chlorine in the water, you can remove it by placing an open pitcher of water in the refrigerator to let the chlorine dissipate for at least 48 hours or run the water through a granular activated carbon filter that is rated to remove chlorine.

Yes! Please call the Water Treatment Plant to obtain a copy 503-635-0394.

The water from the Clackamas River is considered soft. It is around 25 ppm or 1.5 grains per gallon of hardness.

No. The Lake Oswego Tigard Water Treatment Plant does not add fluoride to the water and there is no detectable natural fluoride in the Clackamas River source. Fluoride is a naturally occurring trace element in surface and groundwater. You may want to consult with your dentist about fluoride treatment to help prevent tooth decay, especially for young children.

Who do I contact if...

Complete this form or view this page for more information.

Visit Utility Billing. 

If you have an emergency or would like to schedule an appointment to have your water turned off for needed leak repairs, please call Public Works at (503) 635-0280. If you have an emergency after business hours and need to get your water turned off, please call the non-emergency dispatch at (503) 635-0238.

If you have any other reason for needing your water turned off, please call Utility Billing at (503) 635-0265. Appointments can be made Monday through Friday from 8 am - 2:30 pm. There is no charge for this service during regular business hours, however, if you require after hours assistance there is a charge of $80.00.

The City prefers to make a physical reading onsite to ensure the most exact pressure reading possible. If you would like to meet a Water Utility worker at your residence, appointments can be made Monday - Friday from 8 am to 2:30 pm. Contact Public Works at (503) 635-0280 to request a water pressure test.  

Please call Public Works at (503) 635-0280. 

Yes. Your drinking water contains disinfectants to prevent bacterial growth. These disinfectants can kill fish. Chlorine may be defused by adding appropriate chemicals that are available at most pet stores. Chlorine may also be removed with a granular activated carbon (GAC) water filter or by letting a container of the water sit exposed to the atmosphere (uncovered) for at least 48 hours.

Some fish, particularly tropical fish and koi, are also sensitive to rapid changes in the temperature and pH of the water, even small changes. If you are going to change the water in an aquarium or pond, or add a significant amount of new water, consult an experienced fish care expert for tips on how to accomplish this without shocking or killing the fish.

Yes, the City offers free lead testing to its water customers. The main source of lead in drinking water is typically from household plumbing or components associated with service lines.

If you are concerned about the levels of lead in your home, you can pick up a test kit and instructions at the main reception desk at City Hall, 2nd floor. This testing kit is for water only, not paint or other surfaces (test kits for lead paint are available at most hardware stores). For questions about lead testing or your drinking water, call the Water Treatment Plant at 503-635-0394.

No, there have never been any cyanotoxins detected in Lake Oswego’s drinking water. The Lake Oswego Tigard Water Partnership and the Clackamas River Water Providers have monitored the Clackamas River Watershed for many years for cyanotoxins. Although we have detected low levels of these compounds in the North Fork Reservoir and on the Clackamas, no toxin has been detected in Lake Oswego’s finished drinking water. 

Yes! The water treatment plant’s robust state-of-the-art treatment provides multiple barriers to remove algal toxins, including ballasted flocculation, ozone treatment, biological treatment, and final disinfection with chlorine to effectively treat these compounds. 

Yes, the fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR 5) requires sample collection for 30 chemical contaminants, including 29 PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) and lithium in Lake Oswego’s drinking water. There have been no detectable amounts of these chemical contaminants listed in UCMR 5 in Lake Oswego’s drinking water. For more information about PFAS, click here. 

Cryptosporidium is a microorganism (protozoan) naturally present in surface water supplies throughout the world. Surface water supplies are particularly vulnerable if they receive runoff or pollution from human or animal wastes. Since wildlife inhabit the Clackamas River Watersheds, managing agencies regularly monitor for Cryptosporidium. Occasionally, this monitoring detects low levels of Cryptosporidium, however, Cryptosporidium has never been detected in Lake Oswego’s drinking water.

Yes, here is a link on LO Maps. 

• AWWA 
• OHA
• EPA 
• Just for Kids 
• USGS
• Regional Water Providers Consortium
• Clackamas River Water Providers Consortium 

During the Task Force’s research, they identified 15 comparable fire station projects to estimate project costs. This project estimate was only based on the average cost per square foot of constructing these fire stations. The estimate did not include the costs for our actual project, like securing space to temporarily house the fire station, or site constraints like large rock removal costs.

The City has gone through a preliminary design process that included contracting for an owner's representative and architect to create preliminary facility designs, and subsequently, a general contractor or cost consultant to generate a detailed, line-item cost estimate specific to our project. It was these estimates that were used to determine the final bonding authority requested in Measure 3-635.
 

A permit is required to remove a tree with a trunk that is 6 inches in diameter at breast height (DBH) or greater. Stumps, shrubs and hedges, including rhododendrons, camellias, English laurel, Portuguese laurel, Photinia, arborvitae, and hazelnuts, are not considered trees.

Click here to access the Tree Removal Permit Types Fees

• Invasive and Emergency tree removal permits are free.
• Type I, Dead, and Hazardous tree removal permits 
• Type II tree removal applications 

DBH is determined by measuring the circumference (all the way around the trunk of the tree) in inches of the main trunk at 4.5 feet above the ground and dividing by pi (3.14). If the main trunk splits into smaller leaders below 4.5 feet, measure the circumference just below the trunk split.

No, normal pruning and maintenance does not require a permit. Topping, removing 50% or more of the tree (crown, trunk or root), or damaging a tree resulting in its death are all considered removal and can be subject to enforcement action.

Invasive and Dead tree removal permits do not expire. Type I, Type II, Hazard and Emergency tree removal permits are valid for 60 days from the date of issuance. A one-time 60-day extension can be granted if a written request is received by the Planning Department before the permit expires.

Mitigation for removal of a native tree species under a Type II permit requires replanting with a native tree species. The species of the native mitigation tree must be selected from the Native Tree Mitigation List for Type II Tree Removal. If you are not removing a native tree, the species of the mitigation tree is generally the applicant’s choice; however, a condition of approval specifying a specific mitigation species type can be required for Type II permits if significant trees are removed. Additionally, Invasive Trees cannot be used as mitigation trees.  Other resources for picking out your mitigation tree include Right Tree in the Right Place and the Tree Mitigation Handout.

Yes, you can trim portions of the tree that hang on to your property; however, you must obtain permission from your neighbor to trim portions of the tree on your neighbor’s property. Normal pruning and maintenance of trees does not require a permit. Topping, removing 50% or more of the tree, or damage to a tree resulting in its death are all considered removal and can be subject to code enforcement without a permit. If you want to apply to remove a tree that straddles a property line, the tree removal application must be signed by both property owners.

1. The applicant submits their application to the City and posts a public notice sign of the pending tree removal application on the property. The City posts the application on the Pending Type II Permit Applications page and emails a notice of the application to the neighborhood association in which the site is located.
    
2. A 14-day comment period starts from the date of the posting of the public notice.
    
3. Typically, within two business days after the end of the comment period, City staff makes a tentative decision on the application, which is posted on the Pending Type II Permit Applications web page. A notice of the tentative decision is emailed or mailed to the applicant, the recognized neighborhood association where the property is located, and to anyone who submitted comments during the comment period and provided a valid email or mailing address.
    
4. A 7-day appeal period starts from the date of the tentative staff decision. Only those persons that submitted a comment during the 14-day comment period, the applicant, and the neighborhood association in which the site is located may appeal the tentative staff decision.
    
5. If no appeal is filed within the 7-day appeal period, the decision is final.
    
6. If an appeal is timely filed by an eligible party, an appeal notice sign will be posted on the property and a hearing will be scheduled before the Development Review Commission (DRC). The DRC makes the final decision on the application, which may be appealed to the City Council.

You can submit comments online from the Pending Type II Permit Applications page by selecting an active tree removal application from the map or list view and selecting “log in to submit a comment.” You can also mail comments via US mail to the following address:

                City of Lake Oswego
                Planning Department
                PO Box 369
                Lake Oswego, OR  97034
                [email protected]

The applicant, the neighborhood association, or any person who submitted written comments during the comment period may request a hearing before the Development Review Commission (DRC) by submitting a written request along with the hearing fee to the City Recorder within seven days of the date of Notice of Tentative Decision.    

A leaning tree could be classified as an Emergency, Hazardous, Type I or Type II tree removal application. Please contact the Planning Division to help identify the appropriate application. Staff will ask for a photo of the tree that shows the lean. The photo can be emailed or submitted in person on the third floor of City Hall.  

A dead or declining tree means a tree is lifeless or is in a state of progressive and irreversible decline. Please take a photo of the tree that shows the whole tree’s crown (top) and submit with the application. Staff will conduct a site visit for the removal of dead deciduous trees between November 1 and April 15th.

Type II tree removal applications that involve the removal of a native tree requires that the mitigation tree is also native. You can choose a tree from the Native Tree Mitigation List for Type II Tree Removal. Additional information regarding native trees can be found on the Oregon State University, Department of Horticulture website here: https://horticulture.oregonstate.edu/category/nursery/crop-categories/native-plants

Many local nurseries stock trees for sale, but availability varies during the year. We recommend you call ahead before visiting the nursery to be sure they have the type of tree in stock you are looking for and that meets the City’s minimum mitigation tree size requirements. The City of Portland provides a list of nurseries that stock trees for sale at the following link: https://www.portland.gov/trees/tree-planting/wheretopurchasetrees. Some local options not found on Portland’s list include Al’s Garden Center, Bosky Dell Natives, Kordell’s Garden Center, and Dennis’ 7 Dees. Additionally, landscape contractors and tree service providers may have access to wholesale nurseries with a wider variety of species options than retail stores.

There is a list of prohibited street trees that can be found in the City’s Master Plant List. A list of appropriate street trees can be found in the Right Tree Right Place guide.

Please visit the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) website to search for local arborists and to check arborist credentials, including whether the arborist is a TRAQ arborist. City staff cannot make specific recommendations for arborists or other professionals.