Street Lighting is a crucial aspect of community safety and development, and in Happy Valley and unincorporated Clackamas County, it’s managed through a dedicated street lighting district. This district ensures that areas within the Metro Urban Growth Boundary (UGB) are well-lit, contributing to safer streets and neighborhoods. While primarily focused on areas inside the UGB, some installations exist outside this boundary as well. To quickly check if your property falls within the district, you can utilize the Clackamas County online mapping tool by entering your address and looking at the “Utilities & Districts” section.
Understanding Street Lighting District Funding
The operation of the street lighting district is a partnership with Portland General Electric (PGE). PGE is contracted to handle all aspects of street lighting, from initial design and installation to ongoing maintenance and operation within the district. For these comprehensive services, PGE bills Clackamas County based on tariffs approved by the Oregon Public Utility Commission. The costs incurred by the county are then directly passed on to the residents and property owners who benefit from the street lighting services. This is achieved through a special assessment included on annual property tax statements, ensuring that street lighting services are directly funded by those they serve.
Street Light Requirements and Local Ordinances
Within the street lighting district, the presence of street lights isn’t just a recommendation—it’s a requirement for all new developments. This mandate is clearly outlined in the Clackamas County Zoning and Development Ordinance (ZDO), specifically in Section 1006. For established neighborhoods that currently lack adequate street lighting, there’s a formal process to request installations through a neighborhood petition. This ensures that residents have a voice in enhancing the lighting infrastructure in their communities.
Reporting Street Light Problems and Outages
Encountering a street light malfunction? Whether it’s a light that’s out, flickering, or constantly on, reporting issues promptly helps maintain effective street lighting. The most direct way to report a street light outage or any repair needs is to contact PGE directly through their dedicated online reporting system.
When you report a problem, providing detailed information will expedite the repair process. Please be ready to share:
- Your name and a phone number where you can be reached, in case PGE needs to clarify the light’s location.
- The precise street address closest to the malfunctioning street light.
- A clear description of the problem, such as “burned out,” “always on,” or “cycles on and off.”
- If you have previously reported the same issue, mentioning this can also be helpful.
Requesting New Street Lights in Your Neighborhood
If you and your neighbors believe your established neighborhood would benefit from improved street lighting, you can initiate a request for new installations. It’s important to understand that when new lights are installed, the approach is to light entire street segments—from one intersection to the next—rather than placing individual lights sporadically. This uniform lighting approach is a key safety feature, significantly improving visibility for drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians alike. A prerequisite for new street light installation is the presence of utility poles along the street that are suitable for supporting street lights.
To start the process of requesting street lights, a petition supported by a majority of the benefiting property owners is required. If your neighborhood is interested in pursuing this, Clackamas County can assist by preparing a petition package. This package includes all the necessary documents and information to help you gather support and understand the process:
- The official petition document.
- A list of property owners in the area who would benefit from the street lights.
- A map of the proposed lighting area.
- Information regarding the estimated yearly cost for property owners associated with the new street lights.
For any questions about street lighting requests or to begin the petition process, please contact Clackamas County directly at 503-742-4657.
