Portland council votes 11-0 to start state process toward possible moratorium on drone delivery facilities

Amazon/Prime Air MK30

Portland's city council voted 11-0 on October 14 to begin the state process toward a possible moratorium on facilities that support commercial delivery drones. The vote pauses nothing yet; the project behind local opposition is Amazon's planned Prime Air drone center at its North Portland warehouse.

• The adopted resolution directs the city attorney to notify the state Department of Land Conservation and Development, which starts a 45-day notice period before a final council moratorium hearing.
• Under state law a moratorium on these grounds needs a demonstration of compelling need and lasts at most 120 days.
• Amazon asked to cancel its October 20 pre-application conference with city planners; no reason was reported and the meeting has not been rescheduled.
• Amazon told the Portland Business Journal in September that it plans to begin flying in Portland in early 2027.