The Portland City Council voted unanimously earlier this month to update the city's Odor Code, giving businesses like restaurants and nail salons more leniency by easing previous regulations.
According to the City of Portland release, the Portland Bureau of Planning and Sustainability, the key change moves odor regulations from the zoning code (Title 33) to the operational code (Title 29), recognizing that odors are an operational issue, not a zoning one. As a result, businesses like bagel shops and bakeries will be exempt from these odor regulations.
The new code will increase the daily allowance for continuous odors from 15 to 30 minutes. Enforcement will require at least five separate complaints from five residents living within 150 feet of the property to take root.
Passed in a second reading by the City Council, Ordinance No. 191961 will take effect on March 1, 2025.
