Portland increasing neighborhood parking enforcement amid 'alarming' number of violations

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – The Portland Bureau of Transportation is increasing parking enforcement in neighborhoods across the city amid an "alarming" spike in violations, the bureau announced Tuesday.

The increased enforcement is part of a large expansion of PBOT's parking operations after the Portland City Council recently approved plans for the bureau to hire 22 officers. So far, PBOT has hired seven new officers.

Those officers will focus on citations for expired tags, missing license plates, wrong-way parking, and vehicles blocking visibility at intersections, along with increased enforcement in metered and parking districts.

Officers will also start booting vehicles that have tow orders issued by Multnomah County Circuit Court.

"Addressing expired tags and other parking violations is of critical importance as we seek to maintain order and ensure safety in the public right-of-way," said PBOT Director Millicent Williams.

Citing the Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles, PBOT said an “alarming” number of Portland vehicle owners have expired registrations and say violations may have been exacerbated by DMV delays, financial reasons, and the pandemic as the Oregon legislature passed a bill in 2020 banning enforcement of registration, driver's license and other DMV permits, a PBOT spokesperson said. The enforcement ban was lifted by former Oregon Gov. Kate Brown in 2021.

In May, officers cited 2,400 vehicles for expired registration and 670 vehicles for missing license plates, according to PBOT.

"Every Portlander deserves safe, well-maintained roads," said Commissioner Mingus Mapps. "When everyone follows the rules of the road and pays their fair share, we can keep our city moving smoothly. Vehicle registration fees are a crucial part of funding our transportation system. Plus, valid registration has been a requirement to legally drive in Oregon since 1905, ensuring our roads stay safe and reliable for everyone." 

Per city code, all vehicles in the right-of-way should be registered or have a valid temporary registration placard displayed.

Additionally, vehicles should display front and rear plates, face the correct direction on the street, and park no further than one foot from the curb in a legal parking space.

Vehicle owners who do not have a current vehicle registration could face a $70 or $145 citation for tags expired between 0-90 days or 91 days or more respectively. Vehicles missing a front or rear plate or blocking the view at an intersection could be cited for $85, and wrong-way parked cars can be cited for $55.