Enhanced Service Districts (ESDs) are defined zones where local property owners invest in services beyond what the City of Portland provides. These districts fund additional cleaning, safety programs, economic development, public space activation, and community events—creating more vibrant, economically healthy neighborhoods.
Collectively, Downtown Portland Clean & Safe, Lloyd ESD, and Central Eastside Together serve and support Portland’s central city. From local shops and restaurants to hotels and music and art venues, these three ESDs work together to make our districts better places to live, work, and visit.
Downtown Portland Clean & Safe
Downtown Portland Clean & Safe has operated since 1988, making it one of the oldest, largest, and most successful ESDs in the nation. Clean & Safe provides enhanced services to the people, places, and businesses within a core 273-block area of downtown Portland.
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Lloyd ESD
Lloyd ESD was established in 2001 to encourage growth and ensure the continued health and development of the Lloyd neighborhood. The district focuses on public safety, transportation access, sustainability, economic development, and neighborhood advocacy.
Learn MoreCentral Eastside Together
Central Eastside Together was formed in 2019 to promote safety for all, improve pedestrian experiences, support economic viability, and celebrate the district’s unique identity through innovative, trauma-informed programs.
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How ESDs Work
ESDs are established when property owners within a specific district petition the City of Portland, followed by approval by City Council. Once established, property owners and managers within the district pay an annual property management license fee. This fee is collected by the City’s Revenue Division and redistributed to the ESD for reinvestment directly back into the district.
Each ESD is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of ratepayers who determine which programs and services best meet their community’s needs. ESDs operate on renewable 10-year lifecycles and must regularly report progress to City Council and ratepayers.
This represents a true public-private partnership. ESDs fund services that go beyond the city’s basic offerings—including non-emergency safety teams, graffiti and trash removal, sustainability initiatives, transportation access improvements, and community events that bring people together.
Typical ESD Services Include:
- District cleaning and beautification
- Non-emergency safety programs and ambassadors
- Community events and public space activation
- Public art and placemaking
- Business attraction and retention support
- Marketing and advocacy
City of Portland's ESD Program
For detailed information about Portland’s ESD Program, including the ESD Handbook, program statistics, and Annual Reports, visit the City of Portland’s ESD Program webpage.
