Welcome to the Downtown Portland Clean & Safe Enhanced Service District!
We are excited to welcome you to the Downtown Portland Clean & Safe District (DPCS) as part of our first district expansion since our founding in 1988. Starting October 1, our enhanced services will expand to 70 additional blocks—bringing vital safety, janitorial, and business support services to new areas of downtown Portland.
Our Board of Directors and operations team are dedicated to maintaining the high standards of service we have provided for over three decades. We are expanding our vendor teams to meet the specific needs of each block, ensuring consistent support for businesses and organizations—many of which have requested to be included in our district.
A key element of our work is our collaborative relationship with the City of Portland. Our public safety program is closely integrated with the Portland Police Bureau’s Bike Squad, whose officers continuously monitor our security radio network. This partnership allows for quicker, more effective responses than traditional 911 or non-emergency systems.
Our senior leadership maintains ongoing coordination with important city programs, including the Street Services Coordination Center, which addresses issues such as illegal camping, and Portland Solutions, a resource hub providing support and strategic problem-solving for challenges impacting the downtown core.
As we grow together, we look forward to listening, collaborating, and delivering services that improve the safety, cleanliness, and vibrancy of our downtown environment.
Thank you for joining us in making Portland great!
Eric Farley
Board Chair
Mark Wells
Executive Director
Our District
Download the printable map (pdf)
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is an Enhanced Service District?
A: Enhanced Services Districts (ESDs) are defined zones where local property owners and managers elect to pay a license fee to fund extra services such as trash cleanup, graffiti removal, community safety, public space activation, business support, etc. with the aim of improving their district’s vitality and resilience.
There are thousands of these districts across North America that go by many different names, including Business Improvement Areas (BIAs), Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), Community Benefit Districts (CBDs), Economic Improvement Districts (EIDs), Public Improvement Districts (PIDs), and so forth; in Portland, they are known as Enhanced Services Districts or ESDs.
Portland has three ESDs:
- Central Eastside Together
- Downtown Portland Clean & Safe
- Go Lloyd
Q: How is Downtown Portland Clean & Safe funded?
A: Property owners or managers in our district pay an annual property management license fee (ESD fee). The City of Portland invoices ratepayers to collect this fee and gives it back to the ESD to run programs and services within the district.
Q: How old is the Downtown Portland Clean & Safe district?
A: The Clean & Safe district was originally founded in 1988 as an informal group of downtown property owners and managers, the Downtown Portland Clean & Safe District was later codified as an Enhanced Service District in 1991.
Q: What programs and services does Downtown Portland Clean & Safe provide?
A: Downtown Portland Clean & Safe continues to drive downtown Portland’s revitalization through programs that enhance safety, cleanliness, and economic vitality across the 273-block district. We deliver enhanced services that complement the City of Portland’s basic services. For more information about the services listed below, check out our Programs & Services page.
- Janitorial Program:
- Sidewalk Cleaning
- Graffiti Removal (limited scope)
- Crow Abatement (seasonal)
- Street Tree Lighting
- Public Safety Program
- Street Outreach Program (referral only)
- Downtown Advocacy
- Business Support and Marketing:
- Downtown Retail Council
- Marketing & Media Campaigns
- Seasonal Placemaking Events
- PDX Pop-Ups Shops
- Public Space Activation in Director Park and Darcelle XV Plaza (coming 2026)
- Reports and Data
Q: How do I know if I am within the Downtown Portland Clean & Safe district?
A: If your business or property lies within the expanded district boundary (see map above) then you are eligible to request services through our dispatch number, 503-388-3888. Those services may include; sidewalk cleaning, graffiti abatement, security escort to and from your business, trespass response, disturbance de-escalation and more.
Q: When should I call Downtown Portland Clean & Safe for service?
A: Downtown Portland Clean & Safe provides cleaning and security services in the public right-of-way. If you see trash, biohazards, drug paraphernalia, or other debris on the sidewalk, give us a call at 503-388-3888.
Additionally, if someone on the street is exhibiting aggressive behavior, trespassing on your property, or seems to be in need of assistance, our Public Safety Coordinators will respond with respect and kindness to problem solve and de-escalate the situation.
Downtown Portland Clean & Safe DOES NOT provide emergency response services. If you find yourself in a life-threatening or emergency situation, please call 9-1-1.
Q: I noticed my bill includes a line item for holiday lights, what is this program and what does this pay for?
A: Downtown Portland Clean & Safe has long managed a street-tree lighting program to brighten the district during the holiday season. Originally limited to about 70-blocks in the core retail district, the program proved to not just create a festive atmosphere but also enhance safety and walkability. With this success, we have expanded the program significantly in the past several years.
In partnership with the City of Portland, we’ve been able to expand the program’s geography and now keep lights in street trees year-round. Recent expansions have placed a special emphasis on lighting in the Old Town neighborhood as well as the Yamhill and Morrison corridors. Along with street trees, the program has expanded to also include special lighting installations like starbursts, stars, cafe lights, and lighted canopies.
The costs for the lights themselves—permits, maintenance, and installation—are fully covered by the program fee noted on your bill. To power them, we rely on electricity from neighboring properties. The lights are highly energy-efficient, with the cost estimated at less than $3 per tree per month.
Q: Is Downtown Portland Clean & Safe part of the Portland Metro Chamber?
A: No, Downtown Portland Clean & Safe is an independent nonprofit with their own board that contracts with the Portland Metro Chamber (also an independent nonprofit) to cost share administrative and staff expenses. This is a national best practice and consistent with recommendations for governance by the City of Portland ESD audit. By sharing costs, Clean & Safe can redirect more funds to the front line with 80% of the annual budget going to direct services.
Q: Who should I contact if I have a question about my bill or how the district fee is calculated?
A: For questions regarding how your fee is calculated, if you are the correct recipient for the bill, or any other logistical questions regarding billing, please contact Roger Koppy at [email protected].
Q: Who should I contact about general, non-billing related questions about the city’s ESD program?
A: For general ESD program questions, please contact the City of Portland’s Enhanced Service District Coordinator, Devin Reynolds at [email protected].
Other Resources:
Check out the City of Portland’s ESD webpage to learn more about Portland’s other ESDs and learn how to start an ESD in your neighborhood.
For Service, call 503-388-3888
HOURS OF SERVICE:
- Cleaning: Mon. – Fri., 7 am – 6 pm & Sat. – Sun., 7 am – 3 pm
- Public Safety: 24/7
