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UFSWQD reduces flood risk by maintaining our levee system, managing drainage and responding to emergencies. As part of these responsibilities, UFSWQD reviews development applications for projects within the District’s boundaries. These reviews ensure new development does not detrimentally impact the management or maintenance of the federally authorized levee or interior drainage systems we operate.
Our tiered review structure aims to provide developers with an upfront overview of the review process, based on the level of review required for a given development. The level of review – Tier 1, 2 or 3 – is based on the project’s proximity and potential impact to flood protection systems and the complexity of the review required. All projects start at the simplest level of review and move to more thorough review tiers if more information or engineering analyses are needed.
The District can set up a free pre-application meeting to help identify potential mitigation needs early and explain submittal requirements for complex projects. Contact our Development Review Team at reviews@urbanfloodsafetyor.gov to set up a free pre-application meeting.
What to Expect
The City managing your development application sends review requests to UFSWQD to identify any flood risk or necessary mitigation measures. In most cases, UFSWQD directly provides the City comments that are incorporated into the City’s final permits and no further contact or payment is required. For projects where flood risk or necessary mitigation measures are identified, UFSWQD will conduct a higher level of review. You will be notified if this is the case.
Please contact the appropriate city department for questions related to development in their jurisdiction:
Development Review at a Glance
Development Review Criteria
The District reviews development and construction projects proposed within the district boundaries. The respective city managing development applications requests our review for projects that fall within our overlapping boundaries. If an initial review finds a potential for flood risk or need for mitigation, the District conducts a deeper review. Development proposed on or near a levee in Zones A, B and C (see illustration below) are additionally reviewed by the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).
A Note on Public Involvement
UFSWQD does not obtain or use public comments or input in its development review process. Public involvement is the responsibility of the individual project’s developer.
Development Reviews Look Primarily at Three Categories:
1
Access to Operations and Maintenance
New development must allow access for the District’s operation and maintenance of levees and interior drainage systems.
2
Infrastructure Impacts
New development, such as utility installations, can often pass near or even modify assets the District maintains. These projects are reviewed for potential impacts to safety, accessibility, and maintainability.
3
Hydraulic Capacity
The District manages a series of complex systems that move water throughout the managed floodplain. Any changes that would reduce capacity or introduce new flows need a detailed review.
Levee Review Standards
The District follows standards defined by the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and complies with Federal law for development near federal projects. To learn more, the District can set up a free pre-application meeting to help identify potential mitigation needs and explain submittal requirements. To set-up a pre-application meeting, or for specific questions relating to development near the levees or waterways, contact us at reviews@urbanfloodsafetyor.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Last Updated 4/2/2025
What types of projects require a review?
Any project that requires digging, paving, placing gravel or concrete, grading, or might otherwise impact the levees or drainage within the UFSWQD boundaries is subject to review by the District.
What benefits does the District’s review provide?
The District reviews development applications for projects within the District’s boundaries to make sure development does not increase flood risk and complies with regulations.
Why does the District’s development review process have a tiered system?
The District reviews development applications with a tiered review system to allow for simple applications to be reviewed quickly and more complex reviews to be conducted more consistently. Complex reviews are subject to a service charge.
Why was the service charge established?
The District is reviewing more applications than ever before. Due to new regulations, these reviews are more extensive and require more time. The service charge allows the District to be more responsive to development review requests by ensuring adequate staffing is available to the District’s core services and application reviews. The service charge also allows the District to work with consultants, when needed.
How do I know what level of review my project will require?
The District’s review process is linear – all projects start at the simplest level of review (Tier 1) and move to more thorough review if more information or engineering analyses are needed. You will be notified by District staff if your project requires an additional tier of review.
The next level of review (Tier 2) is completed for projects that may affect levees or interior drainage systems within the District. Starting February 1, 2021, all Tier 2 reviews are charged a $710 Intake Fee which includes the intake processing to cover staff time and materials and an additional Tier 2 Fee of $1,510.
The highest level of review (Tier 3) is done on applications that require a lot of time or expense for the District, such as those with community interest and those requiring legal counsel or outside contractor expertise. This tier also includes projects that trigger U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) requirements for alteration of federal levees.
In all cases, the District provides comments and conditions for approval to the agency processing your permit application. Final development permits are issued by the agency processing your application.
What is the difference between the three tiers of review?
The level of review (Tier 1, 2 or 3) is based on the complexity of the review required, which accounts for the project’s proximity and potential impact to flood protection systems (including levees).
General triggers for escalating to Tier 2 include:
- The District owns or maintains infrastructure on the property
- The District holds an easement on the property
- The proposed development potentially impacts UFSWQD’s staff ability to access or maintain the internal drainage system
- The proposed development potentially impacts UFSWQD’s staff ability to respond to a flood event
- The proposed development is on or adjacent to a federally authorized flood control levee
General triggers for escalating to Tier 3 include:
- The development proposal requires complex easement negotiations or modifications
- The development proposal requires evaluation and additional engineering analysis of impacts to the interior drainage system, including potential mitigation measures
- The development proposal changes, or significant additional issues are discovered during the development review process
- A Section 408 Review by the USACE or a levee review to permit an alteration of a levee constructed by a local interest (non-federal) is required
- The development proposal requires construction verification
How much is the service charge?
- Tier 1 = No charge; cost covered as part of the District’s operating budget
- Tier 2 = $710 Intake Fee + $1510 Tier 2 Fee
- Tier 3 = Tier 3 Fee that is invoiced monthly for total hours required for the review
How do I submit payment to my corresponding District?
- Check: Make checks payable to Urban Flood Safety & Water Quality District. Add your Development Review ID # to the memo line. Mail to Urban Flood Safety & Water Quality District, 1880 NE Elrod Drive, Portland, OR 97211
- Credit card: Contact your Development Review project manager or reviews@urbanfloodsafetyor.gov for more information.
Can I get an early estimate of how much my project review might cost?
The District can set up a pre-application meeting to help identify potential mitigation needs early and explain submittal requirements for complex projects. Contact us at reviews@urbanfloodsafetyor.gov to set up a pre-application meeting.