City of Lake Oswego: Planning: Neighborhoods

The city has a long-standing partnership with its neighborhood associations. Neighborhood associations provide an officially recognized channel for citizen participation in Lake Oswego.

Twenty-two formally recognized neighborhood associations offer an opportunity for citizens to participate in decision-making in the geographic area in which they live. Participation in a neighborhood association is voluntary and open to all who live in or own property or a business within the neighborhood's boundary.

Neighborhood Planning
The Neighborhood Plan elements of the Comprehensive Plan and the Community Development Code are intended to mutually support one another. The neighborhood plans do not contain specific standards for development. Instead, they provide the policy basis for specific standards and procedures of the Community Development Code that are used to review new development and modifications to existing development.

Neighborhood Associations
The Lake Oswego Neighborhood Association program began in 1974 with the development of the original Comprehensive Plan. Today there are 22 recognized neighborhood associations within the City of Lake Oswego.

Neighborhood Enhancement Grants
The Neighborhood Enhancement Program supports partnerships between the City of Lake Oswego and its neighborhoods by providing opportunities for neighborhood organizations to propose projects that will provide a public benefit to the neighborhood and community. Through an application process, qualifying neighborhoods and organizations are awarded funds for specific projects that otherwise may not be done by the City.

In October 2004, the City began inviting residents to attend pre-application conferences for projects occurring in their neighborhood. Attendees are limited to two people per meeting and are required to attend a City training on pre-application conferences.

Allied Waste Services of Lake Oswego will provide up to 15 donated drop boxes per year to be used for neighborhood cleanups or other special events with a neighborhood/community benefit. Please use the Neighborhood Drop Box Application form to apply for a free drop box through the City, and do not contact Allied Waste directly for these requests.

The Neighborhood Coalition of Lake Oswego is a not for profit entity that provides insurance at no cost to neighborhood associations for meetings and events. Insurance is available to all neighborhood associations within the City of Lake Oswego. An application must be completed for participation in the program. One application may be used for all meetings in a one year period, events require an application for each event. For an application, click here.