Neighborhood Association Program

Lake Oswego's neighborhood association program began in 1974 with the development of the original comprehensive plan.  Neighborhood Associations are an officially recognized channel for citizen participation in land use planning in Lake Oswego.

Today, there are 24 recognized neighborhood associations in Lake Oswego. These volunteer organizations bring neighbors together to improve the livability of Lake Oswego's neighborhoods. Neighborhood members elect boards to represent their views before the Planning Commission, City Council and other public bodies and to maintain ongoing communications with City government. The role of neighborhood associations and the process for recognition by the City Council is defined in the Citizen Involvement Guidelines.

Find your neighborhood, on the map of the city's neighborhood boundaries in the City's interactive mapping tool, LO Map. Find the contact information for your neighborhood association.

Resources for Neighborhood Associations
 

Neighborhood Association Resource Guide
This guide provides recognized neighborhood associations with information to help run a successful association. The guide describes the role of a neighborhood association, City requirements for maintaining recognition, resources and benefits of recognition, and helpful tips for your organization. A must read for any new board member or neighborhood pursuing official recognition by the City.

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.

Pre-application Conference Training for Neighborhood Representatives
In 2004, the City began inviting neighborhood association representatives to attend pre-application conferences for development projects occurring in their neighborhood. Representatives must attend a brief training session in order to attend; these are held approximately twice annually, or upon request.

Neighborhood Drop Box
Republic Services 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 Republic Services directly for these requests.

Neighborhood Association Insurance
The Neighborhood Coalition of Lake Oswego is a not for profit entity that provides general liability insurance at no cost to neighborhood associations for meetings and events. Insurance is available to all recognized 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.

Other Neighborhood Organizations
 

Homeowner's Associations
Within Lake Oswego’s neighborhood associations are many more homeowners associations (HOAs). Homeowners associations are private corporations typically established by a developer during the development process to provide for the ongoing management and maintenance of common areas and amenities, and in some cases to review the design of new or remodeled homes within the development. Membership in HOAs is typically limited to property owners, and during the subdivision build-out also includes the developer. Non-owners typically do not have association voting rights. The City does not require HOAs to maintain contact information with the City. Neighborhood associations are voluntary groups that typically represent a larger geographic area and include both renters and homeowners as voting members.

Community Planning Organizations (CPOs)
Community Planning Organizations (CPOs) are comparable to the City of Lake Oswego Neighborhood Associations and are recognized by Clackamas County. There are six CPOs in the Lake Oswego Urban Services Boundary and adjacent to the City limits. They are the Birdshill*, Forest Highlands*, Lake Forest*, Rosewood*, Southwood-Woodland Park, and Stafford-Tualatin CPOs.

* These CPO boundaries include homes within the Lake Oswego City limits and in unincorporated Clackamas County; they have dual recognition as County CPOs and City Neighborhood Associations.