City Status & News

City Declared Local State of Emergency

On March 22, 2020, the City of Lake Oswego declared a local state of emergency as a result of COVID-19 (novel coronavirus). The declaration allows more flexibility and authorization for the City Manager to take actions to help protect the health and safety of the community. This state of emergency is still in effect.

Reopening Lake Oswego and Clackamas County

On May 22, 2020, Governor Kate Brown approved Clackamas County to begin Phase 1 of reopening on Saturday, May 23. Entering Phase 1 meant that we could begin easing restrictions on local gatherings and that certain businesses could open as soon as they meet specific state safety guidelines. On June 17, Governor Brown grouped Multnomah, Clackamas, and Washington together as one region. The entire tri-county region will remain in Phase 1 until specific health indicators are met and  will move together through future reopening decisions. Governor Brown will make the determination when the three counties together will become eligible for Phase 2

On June 17, Governor Brown also announced plans for face covering requirements and outlined next steps in county reopening process. The face covering requirement is in effect statewide. Face coverings must be worn in indoor public spaces. Specific guidelines are available on the Governor's COVID-19 website.

On July 24, as a result of the continued rise in new COVID-19 cases, Governor Brown updated her earlier rules regarding face coverings (which had went into effect on July 15) and added new capacity limitations and closing time for bars and restaurants. The following rules are in place:  

• Indoor social get-togethers are limited to a maximum of 10 people. This includes: dinner parties, birthday parties, graduations, potlucks, book clubs, etc. that take place indoors. This doesn't apply to: civic, cultural, or faith-based gatherings, venues, restaurants, or gyms.
• Customers and visitors of businesses and of indoor and outdoor spaces open to the public are required to wear a mask, face shield, or face covering unless the individual is under 5 years of age, except as follows:
  • Masks, face shields or face coverings are not required while eating or drinking.
  • Individuals who have a medical condition that makes it hard to breathe or a disability that prevents the individual from wearing a mask, face shield or face covering can request an accommodation from the business or indoor/outdoor space operator to enable full and equal access to services, transportation, and facilities open to the public.
• Face coverings are now required when exercising indoors, plus outdoors when you can’t physically distance.
• Restaurants and bars must close at 10 p.m. statewide, regardless of phase.
• Capacity limit for restaurants, gyms, venues (e.g. concert halls, movie theaters) is reduced to 100 people indoors, including staff.

Confused about gathering limits? Please refer to this spreadsheet.

Details about Phase 2 of reopening.

• Counties that meet specific prerequisites may be able to enter Phase 2. Wider reopening includes recreational sports, venues like movie theaters, bowling alleys, and arcades, pools, and increased in-office work. Indoor social get-togethers are capped at 10 people with physical distancing. Capacity for restaurants, gyms, venues (e.g. concert halls, movie theaters) is limited to 100 people indoors, including staff.

It’s important to note that with more businesses opening and activities available, the risk for exposure to COVID-19 increases. It’s more important than ever to continue following the Centers for Disease Control’s recommendations! 

For additional information, refer to Executive Order 20-25: A Safe and Strong Oregon and state guidelines.  View Governor Brown's May 7, 2020 plan for rebuilding a safe and strong Oregon, including new guidance for counties and businesses on a phased reopening.

What does this mean for Lake Oswego?

For Lake Oswego, the health, safety, and wellness of our community and staff continues to be the City’s top priority. We will continue to comply with the Executive Orders and will work within the Governor’s framework for reopening Oregon.

The City will continue to provide essential services - such as police and fire protection, quality drinking water, and well-maintained infrastructure - to the people of Lake Oswego. 

The City has been planning on how to reopen. There are still many uncertainties and unknowns and we know that the virus is not going away. Therefore, the reopening will look different.  

The City will be taking a four-part approach to reopening. Taking a controlled-reopening approach gives the City adequate time to implement and evaluate protective strategies. It also allows us to manage the return to full City operations while ensuring the safety of employees and the public. 

• Planning: Planning/preparation. City facilities remain closed to the public.
• Part 1: City facilities remain closed to walk-in traffic. However, some City Hall services are available by appointment. For more information or to make an appointment, please contact the appropriate department directly. The public is still encouraged to take advantage of other methods of handling City business, such as by phone, email, virtual and online services, etc. Some additional Parks & Recreation services will also be restored during Part 1. 
• Part 2: Some City facilities reopen with strict physical distancing requirements and with occupancy limits.
• Part 3: City facilities reopen to public with strict physical distancing requirements.

The City is working hard to make sure our facilities are ready for a few more people to be in them. As part of Planning, the City evaluated each facility for possible contact and physical distancing hazards. To minimize risk, strategies will be implemented before being reopened to the public. Strategies include:

• Providing hand sanitizer - at least 60% alcohol - at all counters and in shared work areas. 
• Setting public capacity limits. 
• Installing floor decals and signage denoting locations for customers to wait for service. 
• Installing shields or stanchions.
• Removing or limiting seating in waiting areas, lobbies and/or in hallways. 
• Requiring shared spaces be cleaned after each use. 
• Tracking employee attendance and visits to facilities for purposes of contact tracing. 
• Creating an area where the public can check-in and provide contact information and date/time of visit for purposes of contact tracing. 

As restrictions ease, we are committed to continuing to find innovative and creative ways to serve our community and work together to support each other. 

City Buildings Remain Closed to Walk-In Traffic 

On June 1, we entered Part I of our plan. While City facilities remain closed to walk-in traffic, some in-person City Hall and Maintenance Center services are available by appointment only. Additional Parks & Recreation services have also been restored.  For more information or to make an appointment, please contact the appropriate department directly.     

City Services Update

For specific service information, check Department pages.

Adult Community Center

• The Adult Community Center building is closed. All programs and classes are canceled.
• Meals on Wheels service will continue.

Building and Planning Departments

• The Building and Planning Department, including the Permit Center is closed to walk-in customers. However, staff are available to assist permit customers by appointment and via phone and email during regular Permit Center hours for each department.
• We encourage the use of electronic submittals:
  • Use electronic submittal through Accela or Email (as applicable) for all permit applications. 
  • If you need to deliver plans that cannot be sent electronically, use the dropbox at the south entrance to City Hall during business hours.
• For additional assistance, please contact department staff:
  • Lake Owego Building: permits@lakeoswego.city or 503-635-0390
  • Lake Oswego Planning: planning@lakeoswego.city or 503-635-0290

Boards, Commissions & Committees

• Some meetings of City Boards, Commissions, and Committees resumed in June.  Please check the online Events & Meeting calendar for updates:  www.lakeoswego.city

Engineering & Construction

• The Engineering Department, including the Permit Center, is open by appointment only (closed to walk-in customers). Staff continue to be available to assist permit customers via phone and email during regular Permit Center hours. All infrastructure construction projects continue to proceed as planned, using social distancing best practices. Inspections of all work will be conducted as usual. 

Finance Department

• The Finance Department is open by appointment only (closed to walk-in customers).
• Passport Services remain closed for walk-in customers.
• While this emergency is in place, the City will not send shut-off notices or shut off water for non-payment of unpaid water bills.

Library 

• The Library is closed to walk-in traffic, however, services are available virtually and curbside.  
• LOPL is now accepting the return of library materials. You are welcome to return materials to Lake Oswego Library at 706 Fourth St, using our automated return system or parking lot book drop.  
  Our remote book returns remain closed at this time. If you need to return a Library of Things item, you may bring it to the library front doors during curbside service hours, currently Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
  If you aren’t able to return materials yet, no worries; due dates have been pushed out again to July 15.
• Library staff welcome you to visit lincc.org to place holds on the items you would like to borrow.  You will be notified as your materials become available, with instructions for making a curbside pickup appointment.  Please contact the library with any questions. 

Municipal Court

• The Municipal Court is closed to walk-in customers, but is available for Virtual Court or by appointment only. Please call 503-635-0217 for specific questions.

Parks & Recreation

• The following have reopened:
  • Athletic Fields for individual, family and small groups.  Organized games are not allowed per state guidelines.  Camps and clinics permitted with approved field reservation when following OHA COVID-19 guidelines.
  • Dog Parks (Read the CDC guidance for pets)
  • Drinking Fountains
  • Golf Course (safety modifications noted below)
  • Off Leash Dog Areas at Pilkington Park (McNary remains closed due to construction)
  • Multiple restrooms at each park facility
  • Parking lots at Bryant Woods, East Waluga, Foothills, Freepons, George Rogers, Hazelia, Luscher, Roehr, Rosemont/Brock, Stafford Trailhead, Tryon Cove, Westlake and West Waluga
  • Pickleball Courts at George Rogers Park with singles play or doubles play when from same household and wearing face coverings.
  • Quarry Bike Park
  • Tennis Center with reduced hours and additional safety protocols (Hours are Monday-Friday from 7am-6pm, Saturday-Sunday 8am-1pm)
  • Tennis Courts at South Shore & Westlake with singles play recommended.
  • Water Sports Center permitted activities by Lake Oswego Community Rowing with additional safety protocols. 
• The following remain closed:
  • Basketball Courts (due to Governor Brown's Executive Order)
  • Playgrounds (due to Governor Brown's Executive Order)
  • Indoor Facilities remain closed to the public, including Adult Community Center, CCP, Golf Course Clubhouse, and Luscher Farmhouse 
  • Picnic Shelter & Premier Park Reservations:  Due to the uncertainty of when the county will enter Phase II of Reopening and for the safety of customers and staff, we are not taking reservations for the 2020 season (through October).  
  • Roehr Park is closed due to pathway renovation and the dramatic increase in park traffic and lack of physical distancing.
• Food security programs, including Meals on Wheels and CSA operations continue.  
• The Lake Oswego Public Golf Course has reopened from 7am-9pm.
  • Clubhouse:  The clubhouse remains closed to the public. Access is limited to restroom use only at entry through the doors facing the parking lot. There is also a portable restroom behind the 7th Green.
  • Tee Times:  Customers are advised to reserve tee times online or call the Golf Front Desk at 503-636-8228. Credit card payments only. Payments accepted online, over the phone, or at the check-in station. Balls & accessories may be purchased at the check-in station also.
  • Range:  The range is open with adequate space allowed for physical distancing requirements. Tokens available for purchase at the check-in station or by using the card reader on the range ball machine. Only one spectator is allowed at each hitting station.   
  • Please continue to practice physical distancing of six feet or more at all times.  View additional safety protocols. 
• Reservations for park facilities are not being taken at this time. For specific questions, please call 503-675-3901.
• Large Summer Event Cancelations:  Following Governor Brown's May 7, 2020 recommendation to cancel all large gatherings through September, the City made the challenging decision to cancel the following summer community events:
  • Memorial Day Celebration, May 25
  • Millennium Concert Band, July 3
  • Star Spangled Parade & Celebration, July 4
  • Independence Day Concert & Laser Light Show, July 4
  • Summer Concerts, July 5-August 26
  • Movies in the Park, July 23-August 5
  • Howl at the Moon Adventure Run, August 1
• Summer Camp Programs:  On Friday, May 15, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), in conjunction with the Governor’s Office, released guidelines on safely presenting summer camp programs in the state during the COVID-19 pandemic.  The Department has carefully reviewed these guidelines with safety as the top priority.  Some camp programs and support services will be unavailable due to required restrictions such as group size, personal protective equipment, physical distancing, and sanitation protocols.  Please visit the website for updates on cancelations, modifications and additions.
• We are committed to continue serving our community during this public health crisis, but we will continue to follow the guidance of health officials and the direction of State and City government.  We recommend the following:
  • Refrain from using parks or trails if you are exhibiting symptoms. (Feel Sick, Stay Home)
  • Follow CDC’s guidance on personal hygiene prior to, during, and after use of parks or trails.  (Wash Your Hands, Don’t Touch Your Face)
  • While on trails, warn other users of your presence and as they pass, and step aside.  (Give Other Users Respect and Space)
  • Observe CDC’s minimum recommended physical distancing of 6 feet from other individuals at all times. If this is not possible, find an alternate location or find another space.  (Move To Find Your Own Space)

Public Works & Utilities

• Our drinking water is safe. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention has found that “the COVID-19 virus has not been detected in drinking water.” We will continue to deliver safe drinking water to your tap throughout the COVID-19 emergency. It is not necessary to stock up on bottled water, our drinking water is of very high quality, is reliable and is a much better value than bottled water. 
• The Maintenance Center is closed to walk-in traffic. However, services are available to the public via appointment only by calling 503-635-0280.
• Water Treatment Plant is closed to the public, but is available by appointment only. Currently, no tours are being allowed for public groups.