Frequently Asked Questions

Fill out the property record form, and submit it to our office for review. You may be contacted by a staff member from the Office of the City Assessor if there are questions concerning the information about your property.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the Office of the City Assessor at (269) 329-4433 or by email at assessingdept@portagemi.gov.

Almost all of the information in the Assessor’s Office is public record. The amount paid in taxes is also public record and is available online. Access the Assessor’s tax lookup site and look up information by name, address or parcel number. Square footage and 2025 values are available. 2026 values will not be posted online until the roll has been reviewed and confirmed following the March Board of Review. Preliminary information is available at the Office of the City Assessor beginning February 2026.

The Assessor is responsible for estimating the value of your property, which determines your assessed valuation. The Assessor does not determine your property taxes. Instead, the assessed valuation determines the overall share of taxes you pay. Because your assessment affects your property taxes, it is important that your assessed value be accurate and fair. It is also important that you understand how the value of your property is estimated and what can cause property values to change.

To change your email address, you need to send a written request by fax 269-324-8073, email or regular mail to:
7900 S Westnedge Avenue
Portage, MI  49002

OR use the fillable form under the Property Tax Forms tab, named Address Change Form.

This will change the address for both assessments and taxes.  It will not, however, change the water billing address.  You must contact the Portage Treasury Office at (269) 329-4455 separately, unless using the online fillable form.  

In March 1994, voters approved a new system for funding schools known as Proposal A. It led to three key changes:

• Eliminated the use of local property taxes as a source of school funding and created a new state education tax. School districts began to get per-pupil payments from the state.
• The state sales tax increased from 4 cents to 6 cents on the dollar. The extra two cents was to go to the school aid fund, the state budget for schools.
• Required the state’s lowest-funded school districts to receive a basic level of education funding, which raised the amount they received and significantly closed the gap between low-funded schools and others.

A very comprehensive report of Proposal A is provided by the State of Michigan here: SCHOOL FINANCE REFORM IN MICHIGAN PROPOSAL A: RETROSPECTIVE 

The State Tax Commission recommends using a period from April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2022.  This is considered to be a 24-month study.

The State Tax Commission recommends using a period from April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2023.  This is considered to be a 24-month study.

The State Tax Commission recommends using a period from April 1, 2022 to March 31, 2024.  This is considered to be a 24-month study.

The Assessor estimates the value of your property typically by first examining and collecting information on the physical characteristics of the property. Physical characteristics can include, among others:

• Amenities Such as Fireplaces
• Amenities Such as Swimming Pools
• Improvements Like a Garage
• Improvements Like the Number of Bathrooms
• The Square Footage of Land

A property's value can change for many reasons. The most obvious is that the property changes: a bedroom, garage, or swimming pool is added, or part of the property is destroyed by flood or fire. The most frequent cause of a change in value is a change in the market.

State Equalized Value (SEV): 50% of Market Value or True Cash Value, commonly referred to as your property assessment.

Capped Value (CV) has the formula of: Previous year’s Taxable Value minus Losses (physical changes to the property) times the Consumer Price Index (CPI) or 5%; whichever is less, plus Additions (physical changes to the  property), (TV-Losses x CPI (5%) + Additions = CV).

Taxable Value (TV) is the value upon which property taxes are based. TV  is the Lesser of State Equalized Value (SEV) or Capped Value (CV).  TV  in the year following a transfer of ownership (sale, gift inheritance,  etc.) is equal to the SEV. 

The simple answer is that it is against the law.  MCL 211.27 states that the purchase price is no longer the presumptive True Case Value of a property.  The assessment may be close to 50% of the purchase price but the property SEV is determined by investigating the other sales in the vicinity of the property. All of the SEV in the vicinity of the property is set using that sales study.

Sale prices going down in the neighborhood will not be reflected  immediately in your assessment.  The State allows for a two year sales study and an optional one year sales study.  In inflationary times, a two year study helps the taxpayer because sales used are older and  therefore lower in value.  In deflationary times, a one year sales study helps the taxpayer because it reflects the more recent sales.

The City of Portage has used one year sales studies for 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013.  The City used two year sales studies for 2014-2025.

The homestead exemption is more correctly known as the Principal Residence Exemption (PRE). The qualifications are simple; you must own and occupy the home as your principal residence on or before June 1st. A person or a married couple is allowed only one PRE in the state. You may not claim an exemption in any other state. The exemption continues until the use of the home as your principal residence changes.

When the change occurs, you must notify the Assessor’s Department in writing. Proposal A and state law does not allow for partial credit. As an example, even if you move into a non-homestead property on June 5th, the exemption does not begin until the following year. Recent legislation has allowed the granting of a second homestead in certain conditions. The “Conditional Rescission” is available when the previous homestead is not occupied or rented and is listed for sale. Please contact the Assessing Department at 269-329-4433 if you think you qualify.

By law, the only time you may appeal your assessment is at the March Board of Review meeting, which is held the Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday following the second Monday in March.  After you receive the Change of  Assessment notice, you may contact the City Assessor’s Department at (269) 329-4433 to schedule an appointment, or send a letter of appeal, including the Michigan Department of Treasury Form 618 - Petition to Board of Review (PDF), which is available at the Office of the City Assessor. 

Send to:
7900 S Westnedge Avenue
Portage, MI 49002

An assessment appeal is not a complaint about higher taxes. It is an attempt to prove that your property’s estimated market value is either inaccurate or unfair.

You may appeal when you can prove at least one of three things:

1. Items that affect value are incorrect on your property record. For instance, you have one bath, not two; you have a carport, not a garage; your home is 1,600 square feet, not 2,000 square feet.
2. The estimated market value is too high. You have evidence that similar properties have sold for less than the estimated market value of your property.
3. The estimated market value of your property is accurate but inequitable because it is higher than the estimated value of similar properties.

State law provides the next level of appeal at the Michigan Tax Tribunal.  A letter of appeal on residential property must be sent to the Tribunal:
PO Box 30232
Lansing, MI 48909

The deadline for commercial appeals is May 31, and the deadline for residential appeals is July 31.

State law provides for one time per year to protest the value of your property.  That protest may be made at the March Board of Review only.

Residents may register to vote online, by mail, at a self-service station, or at a Secretary of State office no later than two weeks before Election Day. Eligible citizens can register to vote or update their voter registration in person up to and on Election Day in person at the Office of the City Clerk.  

• Online at Michigan.gov/Vote: Register to vote online with their Michigan driver’s license or ID number.
• By mail: Download, print, and complete an application to register to vote, to return it to the City Clerk's Office. This form is also offered in large print.
• Self-service station: Voter registration is offered when completing a transaction at Secretary of State self-service stations across Michigan. Locate a self-service station at miselfservicestation.com.
• At a Secretary of State office: Eligible citizens will be registered to vote automatically anytime they complete a Michigan driver’s license or ID transaction, unless they opt out.
• At the City Clerk's Office: Visit the Office of the City Clerk at 7900 South Westnedge Avenue, Portage, MI 49002.

Additionally, several state agencies and military recruitment centers also provide voter registration services.  

To learn more about voter registration requirements in Michigan, visit the Michigan Secretary of State's website. 

You can register to vote at your local clerk’s office through Election Day. You must be a resident of your city or township for at least 30 days prior to the election, a U.S. citizen, at least 18 years old when you will vote, and not currently serving a sentence in jail or prison.

Eligible citizens can register to vote or update their voter registration online, by mail, at a self-service station, or at a Secretary of State office up to two weeks before Election Day.  

When registering 14 days before an election and on Election Day, you must show proof of your address. The document must include your name and current address - and can be a digital copy. Acceptable documents include:  

• Michigan license or ID
• Current utility bill
• Bank statement
• Paycheck or government check
• Other government document

No. Michigan voters do not register by party affiliation.  

To update your voter registration, complete a change of address application online, by mail, at the Secretary of State office, or at the City Clerk's Office:  

• Online: Update your voter registration and address online at Michigan.gov/Vote or through Online Services.  
• By mail: Submit a Change of Address form to the Michigan Department of State.  
• In person: Update your voter registration in person at any Secretary of State office or at the Office of the City Clerk at Portage City Hall.  

Michigan voters must use the same residential address for voter registration and their driver’s license/ID. Consequently, if you change your address on your driver’s license or ID, it will automatically apply to your voter registration, and vice versa. Therefore, if the residence address you provide when registering to vote differs from the address shown on your license or ID, the Secretary of State will automatically change your license or ID address to match your address on your voter registration. The Michigan Department of State will mail you a corrected change of address sticker for your standard license or ID, or a new enhanced state ID or driver’s license with your updated address. 

Under Michigan's automatic voter registration law, when a voter updates the address on their voter registration, their address on their driver's license or state ID will also be updated. Additionally, if a change of address for a license or state ID is submitted to the Michigan Department of State, the address on the voter’s registration will also be updated. 

Learn more about Michigan driver’s licenses or IDs. 

Voters may view their sample ballot at Michigan.gov/Vote. 

You are not required to vote the entire ballot. You may pick and choose the races or ballot questions for which you want to vote. Skipping sections of the ballot does not invalidate your ballot. 

In Michigan, voters can only vote in one party column and cannot "split" their ticket (i.e., vote in more than one party column) if voting in a presidential (February) or statewide (August) primary. 

Voters may “split” their ticket in the general election (November). Per the passage of Proposal 18-3 in 2018, Michigan voters also have the option to vote straight-ticket by selecting the option on the side of their ballot with partisan races. Voting a straight ticket does not automatically include selections on the non-partisan side of the ballot. 

Registered Michigan voters may request an absentee ballot by submitting an absentee ballot application: 

• online at Michigan.gov/Vote 
• by mail
• in person at the City Clerk's Office at Portage City Hall.

To avoid the potential for mailing delays, voters who choose to request an absentee ballot are encouraged to submit their absentee ballot application no later than two weeks before Election Day.  

Voters may also request an absentee ballot in person at their local clerk’s office through 4 p.m. on the Monday before an election. 

You can track when the City Clerk mails your absentee ballot and when it is received by their office online. 

Track the status of your application 

You can also sign up to receive electronic notification on ballot status on Michigan.gov/Vote while updating your voter registration, when registering to vote for the first time, or when submitting an online ballot application. 

NOTE: If you chose to vote your absentee ballot in person at an Early Voting or Election Day location, this information will not update on Michigan.gov/Vote or send a notification if you are subscribed to notifications. Ballot tracking is limited to absent voter ballots and ballot application activity. Tracking your absentee ballot instructions 

Please return it to the City Clerk's Office by mail, in person, or at a designated absentee drop box in your city or township. 

Official City of Portage Absentee Voter Ballot Drop Box Locations are: 

• Portage Fire Station No. 2 (6101 Oakland Drive)
• Portage Fire Station No. 3 (8503 South Sprinkle Road)
• Portage City Hall (7900 South Westnedge Avenue)

To track the status of your absentee ballot, please click the following visit the Michigan Voter Information Center. 

Voters can securely track the mailing and receipt of their absentee ballot application and absentee ballot at Michigan.gov/Vote. Voters can contact the City Clerk's Office at (269) 329-4511 with questions about the mailing or receipt of their application or absentee ballot. 

You can also sign up to receive electronic notification on ballot status on Michigan.gov/Vote while updating your voter registration, when registering to for the first time vote, or when submitting an online ballot application. 

NOTE: If you chose to vote your absent ballot in person at an Early Voting or Election Day location, this information will not update on Michigan.gov/Vote or send a notification if you are subscribed to notifications. Ballot tracking is limited to absent voter ballot and ballot application activity. 

Tracking your absentee ballot instructions 

Voters who have submitted their absentee ballot application are encouraged to track their request online at Michigan.gov/Vote to ensure the City Clerk's Office received their request. The website will also securely track when a local clerk’s office sends an absentee ballot to the voter by mail and when the clerk has received the ballot back from the voter.  

Voters who have not received their absentee ballot as Election Day approaches are encouraged to visit Michigan.gov/Vote to confirm their voter registration information and address is up to date. If they confirm this is the case, they may contact the City Clerk's Office to check on the status of their absentee ballot application and requested ballot.  
 
Track the status of your absentee ballot 

Absentee ballots will be sent to a voter’s registered address unless the Clerk’s Office is otherwise notified. The United States Postal Service does not forward absentee ballots.  

Portage voters must make arrangements with the City Clerk’s Office to ensure their ballot is sent to the correct mailing address.  

Absentee Ballots can be delivered to the Office of the City Clerk at Portage City Hall or dropped in any of the Official Absentee Voter Ballot Drop Boxes located throughout the city. 

Official City of Portage Absentee Voter Ballot Drop Box Locations: 

• Portage Fire Station No. 2 (6101 Oakland Drive)
• Portage Fire Station No. 3 (8503 South Sprinkle Road)
• Portage City Hall (7900 South Westnedge Avenue)

All locations are on or near a Metro bus line.  The drop boxes are available 24/7 beginning forty days prior to an election.  

After receiving your absentee ballot, you have until 8 p.m. on Election Day to complete the ballot and return it to the City Clerk's Office. Your ballot will not be counted unless your signature is on the return envelope and matches your signature on file.  

If you receive assistance voting the ballot, then the signature of the person who helped you must also be on the return envelope. Only you, a family member or person residing in your household, a mail carrier, or an election official is authorized to deliver your signed absent voter ballot to the City Clerk's Office. 

The following individuals are legally permitted to return a voter’s absentee ballot:  

• The voter.  
• A member of the voter’s immediate family who has been asked to return the ballot. 
• A person residing in the voter’s household who has been asked to return the ballot.
• A mail carrier during the course of their official duty. 
• An authorized election official in the voter’s jurisdiction.

Voters interested in absentee voting for every election may sign up for the Permanent Ballot List.  Voters who have completed the one-time application can expect to receive an absentee ballot prior to each election.  

Status on the Permanent Absentee Ballot List is permanent unless a voter is cancelled or requests to be removed from the list. 

If you are on the Permanent Ballot List but need your ballot sent to an address other than your registered address, you must make arrangements with the City Clerk's Office. The United States Postal Service does not forward absentee ballots. 

Voters on the Permanent Ballot List who have not received their ballot should call the Office of the City Clerk at (269) 329-4511.  

Receiving an absentee ballot application does not obligate the voter to cast an absentee ballot for that election. They are still eligible to vote in-person so long as the absentee ballot is not received by the City Clerk’s Office.  

Voters with a disability who require assistance in completing their absentee ballot application may receive assistance from another person, provided that the person assisting the voter is not the voter's employer, agent of that employer, or an officer or agent of a union to which the voter belongs. The individual who provided the assistance must input their information in the provided space on the absentee ballot application.

Voters with disabilities can also request an accessible absentee ballot by submitting an accessible absentee ballot application online at Michigan.gov/Vote. When requesting an accessible absentee ballot, the voter will be emailed an electronic ballot and can mark the ballot on an electronic device, using their own assistive technology, and print and mail or otherwise return the ballot to the Clerk's Office by 8 PM on Election Day.

Voters can also download an accessible application to vote absentee and submit it to the City Clerk's Office by mail, email, or in person at Portage City Hall to request an absentee ballot in person. 
 
Accessible absentee ballot application

Learn more about accessible voting in Michigan

Additional information regarding accessible voting can be found online via this link: https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/Home/AccessibleVoting 

To learn more about the tabulators and voter assist terminals used by municipalities in Kalamazoo County, visit Elections Systems & Software. 

The polls are open from 7 AM to 8 PM for all elections. Voters who are in line at their polling location by 8 PM on Election Day may still wait in line to vote. 

Voters will be asked to present an acceptable photo ID, including: 

• Michigan driver's license or state-issued ID card
• Driver's license or personal identification card issued by another state
• Federal or state government-issued photo identification
• U.S. passport
• Military ID with photo
• Student identification with photo from a high school or accredited institution of higher learning
• Tribal identification card with photo

The ID does not need to include the voter’s address. 

Please note that voters who do not have an acceptable form of ID or failed to bring it with them to the polls still can cast a ballot and will be asked to sign a brief affidavit stating that they're not in possession of a photo ID.  

Learn more about Michigan driver’s licenses or IDs 

No. Michigan law prohibits the following within 100 feet of a polling place: 

• Campaigning for a candidate or ballot measure
• Wearing or bringing election- or campaign-related clothing or accessories
• Displaying or wearing candidate or election-related signage
• Bringing election, campaign, or partisan materials into a polling place
• Requesting signatures for or signing petitions

Michigan has prohibited the practice of displaying election-related materials at the polls for decades. This includes clothing and buttons as well as materials such as pamphlets, fliers, and stickers. If you go to the polls with a shirt or button bearing election-related images or slogans, you will be asked to cover or remove it.  

If you receive a notice of cancellation for your own voter registration, you can respond to the notification by mail or online in the following ways: 

• Request your voter registration be canceled. If you select this option, your voter registration will be canceled immediately.
• Update your voter registration. If you have moved, you can update your voter registration to your new address.
• Vote or request an absent voter ballot in an upcoming election. This will keep your voter registration active, and your registration will not be canceled.
• Do nothing. If you don’t respond and don’t have any voting activity, your registration will be canceled after the second federal (even year November) election from the time the notice is sent.

If you want to cancel your voter registration and you haven’t received a notice, you can contact the City Clerk's Office at Portage City Hall in writing and request that your registration be canceled.

Click here to complete a Cancellation Form.  Signatures must be in pen. 

If you receive election mail for someone who no longer lives at your address, you have the opportunity to assist the City Clerk's Office and the United States Postal Service in updating the voter rolls. You should write “no longer at this address” on the piece of mail and put it back in the mailbox. The U.S. Postal Service will then notify your local clerk that election mail for that registered voter has been returned as undeliverable. The clerk will then send a notice of cancellation, which will result in that registration being canceled after two federal elections have passed. 

If someone at the residence is deceased, you can write “deceased” on the piece of mail and put it back in the mailbox. If a family member in your residence has died, you can also contact your clerk in writing and inform them that the family member is deceased. You can also send an obituary or death notice to the clerk, who can use this information to cancel the voter registration, so your household no longer receives election mail for the person who has passed away. 

The State of Michigan hosts Presidential Primaries every four (4) years in the month of February. Below are some frequently asked questions about what makes this election different than others:

What is the difference between an Open Primary and a Closed Primary? 

Voters in an open primary, such as the state primary in August, are given a ballot with a column listing each qualified party’s candidates. Voters decide which party’s primary they wish to participate in by voting in the column of their party choice. Voting for candidates in more than a single party’s column will void the entire partisan section of the ballot.  

Voters in closed primaries, such as the Presidential Primary in February, must state the party’s primary they wish to participate prior to being issued a ballot. The ballot given to voters only has candidates of the party that corresponds to the voter’s choice. 

When I select a party ballot for the Presidential Primary, does that mean I have to vote in the same party primary in August?

No. The written selection made by a voter at the Presidential Primary has no bearing on how a person votes in the State Primary election. 

What if I have questions about the Presidential Primary Election? 

This election type only happens every 4 years - please visit this helpful guide or this Michigan guide. 

Why do I have to select a party ballot for the Presidential Primary?

Michigan Election Law (MCL 168.615c) guides the conduct of the Presidential Primary. The law requires that voters indicate in writing which political party ballot they wish to vote. This requirement only applies to Presidential Primary elections.

The right to vote is the basis for our democracy. People in the military and U.S. citizens living overseas have the right to cast a ballot and have their vote counted. This section provides information about voting while away from home for members of the armed forces and individuals living overseas. For more information on military and overseas voting, please visit the Michigan Department of State. 

Can a U.S. citizen currently in the military or overseas register to vote in Michigan if they have never lived in the state or country?

Yes, U.S. citizens who have never lived in the U.S. may register to vote in Michigan if they:

• Have a parent, legal guardian, or spouse whose last permanent residence (home) was located in Michigan, and
• Have not registered to vote in another state

How can registered Michigan voters serving in the military or living abroad request an absentee ballot?

Registered Michigan voters serving or living abroad can request an absentee ballot be sent to them by email, fax, or postal mail by downloading and completing a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) from the Federal Voting Assistance Program website, fvap.gov. Once completed, voters should mail, fax, or scan and email their FPCA application to the City Clerk’s Office.

To avoid possible postal delays, the Michigan Department of State advises that Michigan voters overseas return their FPCA application to the City Clerk’s Office by email or fax, rather than by mail, in order to receive their absentee ballot in time.

Explore military and overseas voting

Registered voters in Michigan using a Michigan Absent Voter Ballot Application have the option to join the permanent absentee ballot list and will receive an absentee ballot in every election going forward. However, MOVE voters must complete a FCPA every year to ensure that they are sent a ballot early enough to allow for overseas mail applications that are received after the November election will apply to all of the next year's elections.

Once an absentee ballot application has been submitted, voters can securely track the status of their absentee ballot application and the mailing of their absentee ballot online at Michigan.gov/Vote. Please note, absentee ballot applications must be received no later than 2 p.m. on the Saturday before Election Day in order to vote on Election Day.

Michigan.gov/Vote

Can military and overseas voters submit their ballots electronically?

While Michigan voters serving overseas or living abroad can elect to receive their absentee ballot electronically by email, online, or by fax, all completed absentee ballots must be returned by mail under current Michigan law. Guidance on mailing a completed absentee ballot from an overseas address is available at fvap.gov.

How can Michiganders overseas register to vote to participate on Election Day?

Michiganders who are overseas can register to vote by downloading and completing a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) or by registering online at Michigan.gov/Vote. After returning this postcard to the City Clerk’s Office by email, fax, or mail, they will be registered to vote and will receive an absentee ballot by email, fax, or mail.

You can contact the City Clerk’s Office at (269) 329-4511 or at elections@portagemi.gov.

How can military and overseas voters ensure their absentee ballot is received by Election Day?

Pursuant to state law, registered Michigan voters abroad must return their absentee ballots by mail. So long as their ballots are valid, have a matching signature, are postmarked no later than Election Day, and are received within 6 days after Election Day, they will be tabulated. The Michigan Department of State advises Michigan voters overseas to request and return their absentee ballot as early as possible. To securely track an absentee ballot and ensure it is received, voters should visit Michigan.gov/Vote

How can registered Michigan voters overseas confirm they will receive an absentee ballot in time for Election Day?

Any registered Michigan voter serving or living abroad who has registered and requested to vote by absentee ballot any time after November of the previous year will be mailed an absentee ballot for all of the current year’s elections. Those who have not yet requested an absentee ballot may do so by downloading and completing a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) from the Federal Voting Assistance Program website and return it to their City Clerk’s Office via email, mail, or fax.

Overseas voters can verify their Michigan voter registration information and confirm whether they are registered to receive an absentee ballot by visiting Michigan.gov/Vote. Once there, voters can track the status of their absentee ballot application and the mailing of their absentee ballot, as well as view contact information for the City Clerk’s Office in the event follow-up is required.

Michigan.gov/Vote

How can registered Michigan voters serving in the military or living abroad request an absentee ballot?

Registered Michigan voters serving or living abroad can request an absentee ballot be sent to them by email, fax, or postal mail by downloading and completing a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) from the Federal Voting Assistance Program website, fvap.gov. Once completed, voters should mail, fax, or scan and email their FPCA application to the City Clerk’s Office.

To avoid possible postal delays, the Michigan Department of State advises that Michigan voters overseas return their FPCA application to the City Clerk’s Office by email or fax, rather than by mail, in order to receive their absentee ballot in time.

Explore military and overseas voting

Registered voters in Michigan using a Michigan Absent Voter Ballot Application have the option to join the permanent absentee ballot list and will receive an absentee ballot in every election going forward. However, MOVE voters must complete a FCPA every year to ensure that they are sent a ballot early enough to allow for overseas mail applications that are received after the November election will apply to all of the next year's elections.

Once an absentee ballot application has been submitted, voters can securely track the status of their absentee ballot application and the mailing of their absentee ballot online at Michigan.gov/Vote. Please note, absentee ballot applications must be received no later than 2 p.m. on the Saturday before Election Day in order to vote on Election Day.

Michigan.gov/Vote

How is the Michigan Department of State ensuring the security of the absentee ballot process for Michigan voters overseas to reduce the risk of voter fraud?

Registered Michigan voters serving overseas and living abroad are subject to the same signature verification requirements as Michigan voters in the United States. A voter’s signature must match their recorded signature in the Qualified Voter File in order to be issued an absentee ballot.

Additionally, as is the case for all Michigan voters, only one ballot may be tabulated for a military or overseas voter. Michigan’s election system has a robust structure of checks and procedures to ensure no Michigan voter can cast a ballot twice. Michigan has implemented several measures to strengthen election security and integrity, which have since consistently resulted in accurate and secure election results. More information about election security measures in Michigan is the Department of State’s website.

If an overseas Michigan voter does not receive their absentee ballot in time to return it to their local clerk by Election Day, can their vote still be counted?

Military service members, their families, and civilians overseas who are registered Michigan voters and are concerned they may not receive their absentee ballot in time may complete a Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) and return it to the City Clerk’s Office by mail. The FWAB is available online at fvap.gov and serves as a backup ballot in case the regular absentee ballot does not reach the local clerk’s office in time. The FWAB will also serve as voter registration for Michiganders abroad who are eligible to register to vote and request an absentee ballot for future elections.

If both the FWAB emergency ballot and the requested absentee ballot are returned to the clerk in time, only the requested ballot will be tabulated.

Overseas voters can download an FWAB and view instructions on completing and returning the write-in absentee ballot by visiting the Federal Voting Assistance Program website. Write-in absentee ballots must be returned by mail to the City Clerk’s Office.

Please note, all valid absentee ballots with a matching signature that are postmarked by Election Day and received within 6 days after Election Day will be tabulated.

Plots are available in Central and South Portage Cemeteries, but space in Central Cemetery is limited. 

Interested purchasers may arrange an appointment with a cemetery sexton to tour the cemetery and learn about availability regarding burial rights. You may then purchase the burial rights and complete the necessary paperwork at the Office of the City Clerk at: 

7900 South Westnedge Avenue
Portage, MI 49002 

The cost covers not only the plot but helps with the perpetual care and maintenance of our cemeteries. 

Those interested may reserve a plot for up to six (6) months, at which point they must purchase the plot or end the reservation.  

No. Burial rights may only be transferred to a relative or designee of the burial rights purchaser. Any transfers must be submitted in writing to the City Clerk’s Office, and final decisions regarding burial rights belong to the City Clerk. Burial rights may only be sold back to the City of Portage.

Applicants looking to host a block party may make a request to the City Clerk that includes the City's block party application and petition sheet , and a copy of the host's homeowner's insurance. The neighborhood must abide by the following:  

• Abide by the noise ordinance
• All streets to be blocked will be blocked so that emergency equipment, such as police, fire, and ambulances, can enter if needed
• If alcoholic beverages are served, it must be done in compliance with local and state ordinances
• A time limit of 11 p.m. (This includes any teardown time)

Barricades are available on request from the Department of Public Works at (269) 329-4444.  View the Block Party page for more information. 

Liquor licenses must have a specific property associated with them before the application process may commence.  File an application with the City of Portage, along with a fee of $850, and file an application with the State of Michigan Liquor Control Commission, along with an inspection fee of $70.  There are other fees charged by the state depending on the type of license(s) being sought and services being provided.  The State of Michigan Liquor Control Commission has a listing of all Class C liquor licenses available in the County, which is what you will need to serve alcohol in your place of business.  

You may transfer a license into Portage from another municipality, and some licenses can be found in escrow.  Liquor licenses are a commodity and have a market price associated with them, and the State currently offers Class C Licenses for $20,000 if located within a Downtown Development Authority (DDA).  Resort Licenses for qualified applicants are also available.  The only DDA in Portage is located generally along Westnedge Avenue north of I-94 and south of Kilgore Road.  You may call the Michigan State Liquor Control Commission for further information at (517) 322-1400. 

Liquor licenses must have a specific property associated with them before the application process may commence.  File an application with the City of Portage and file an application with the State of Michigan Liquor Control Commission, along with an inspection fee of $70.  There are other fees charged by the state depending on the type of license(s) being sought and services being provided.  

The State of Michigan Liquor Control Commission has a listing of all Specially Designated Merchant (SDM) liquor licenses available in the County.  You may transfer a license into Portage from another municipality, and some licenses can be found in escrow.  Liquor licenses are a commodity and have a market price associated with them.   

Liquor licenses must have a specific property associated with them before the application process may commence.  File an application with the City of Portage and file an application with the State of Michigan Liquor Control Commission along with an inspection fee of $70.  There are other fees charged by the state depending on the type of license(s) being sought and services being provided.  

The State of Michigan Liquor Control Commission has a listing of all Specially Designated Distributor (SDD) liquor licenses available in the County.  You may transfer a license into Portage from another municipality, and some licenses can be found on escrow.  Liquor licenses are a commodity and have a market price associated with them.

A Solicitor’s Permit (PDF) is required for any individual or organization that goes door-to-door and for the sale of goods, wares, and merchandise, or other personal property for future delivery or for services to be furnished or performed in the future.  

Please view the iChat Tutorial for assistance in completing the background check.  

Citizens are encouraged to contact the City Manager with concerns or complaints about city services by calling Complaint Resolution at (269) 329-4404 or by visiting reportit.portagemi.gov.

The City Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the city. The City Manager is the Chief Administrative Officer of the City of Portage and oversees all city departments. The mission of the Office of the City Manager is to deliver superior city services and unsurpassed customer service to Portage citizens and business owners and to respond to the needs of the community. The City Administration carries out its mission under the direction of and on behalf of the Portage City Council.

The Portager newsletter is the official publication of the City of Portage used to inform residents of city services and events and city projects that have significance to Portage citizens. The Portager is published monthly.  The Portager is mailed to all residences and businesses within the City of Portage.  Read the most recent Portager newsletter and view the archive of past newsletters.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a large group of man-made chemicals that include perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS). PFAS have been used globally during the past century in manufacturing, firefighting, and thousands of common household and other consumer products. These chemicals are persistent in the environment and in the human body – meaning they don’t break down and they can accumulate over time.  In recent years, experts have become increasingly concerned about the potential effects of high concentrations of PFAS on human health.

The main way people are exposed to these chemicals is by swallowing them. PFAS chemicals are sometimes found in drinking water and in cooking or food packaging products. PFAS can be swallowed along with the water or food, and from there they can enter the bloodstream. Touching products made with PFAS or touching water that contains PFAS is not the main way people are exposed to these chemicals. The PFAS chemicals do not easily absorb into the skin.  (Source: https://www.michigan.gov/pfasresponse/)

The PFAS chemicals do not easily absorb into the skin.  It is safe to bathe, as well as do your laundry and household cleaning.  It is also safe to swim in and use the water recreationally. Getting water with PFAS on your skin will not harm you. (Source: https://www.michigan.gov/pfasresponse/)

Residents on municipal water have no risk of contamination in their drinking water as a result of this discovery.  Municipal water in the City of Portage is continually analyzed, monitored, and tested to ensure compliance with standards prescribed by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Out of an abundance of caution, the city tested 22 private wells in the close proximity of the former landfill.  All results from this testing were found to be well under the EPA Lifetime Health Advisory Level of 70 PPT for PFOA + PFOS and under the proposed Michigan Safe Drinking Water PFAS Standards. A Portage resident with concerns about contamination of a private well can contact the Kalamazoo County Health and Community Services Department at (269) 373-5210.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set a lifetime health advisory (LHA) level for two PFAS in drinking water: perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). The PFOA and PFOS LHA is the level, or amount, below which no harm is expected from these chemicals. The LHA level is 70 parts per trillion (ppt) for PFOA and PFOS individually or combined. The LHA, protective of everyone, especially pregnant women, young children, and the elderly. Currently, the EPA has not set health advisory levels for the other PFAS chemicals.  (Source: https://www.michigan.gov/pfasresponse/)

The first step is to contact the City of Portage Department of Community Development at (269) 329-4477.  Connecting to City of Portage Municipal Water:  http://www.portagemi.gov/DocumentCenter/View/160/Connecting-to-City-of-Portage-Water-PDF?bidId=

While the exact source of the contamination has not been determined, a landfill was operated at 9010 South Westnedge Avenue from the early 1950s through 1977.  In 1978, the site began operating as a transfer station and recycling center.  Materials were brought to the site, sorted, and trucked to other area facilities.

In 1989, the City of Portage began a major groundwater cleanup effort, including groundwater recovery pumping. Efforts also began to connect downgradient residential properties from the landfill to Crockett Avenue to municipal water. In 1999, cleanup efforts were complete, and the city began a comprehensive groundwater sampling and monitoring program, which continues today. All testing has been performed by a highly-qualified environmental consulting firm retained by the City of Portage, American Hydrogeology Corporation (AHC). With the emergence of PFAS across Michigan, the city began self-initiated and precautionary testing at the former landfill for PFAs in the spring of 2019. The city learned that there were concentrations of PFAS in the southwest corner of the site that exceeded drinking water health advisories. The city expanded the scope of testing, following accepted scientific protocols, to determine if the PFAS contamination was migrating off the site.

In 2025, the Portage City Council approved a change from an open-market system (where residents choose among multiple haulers) to a single contracted provider for the entire city. 

After that decision, a citizen petition met the legal requirements to place the issue on the May 5, 2026 ballot. As a result, voters will decide which system the city will use long term. 

The ballot question asks whether the City of Portage should: 

• Continue using a single-hauler system for residential trash collection, or
• Amend the ordinance to prohibit exclusive collection contracts and return to an open-market system.

This vote determines the long-term structure of residential trash collection in Portage. 

The Michigan Construction Code Act 230 of 1972 was amended in 1999 to create the Stille-DeRossett-Hale Single State Construction Code Act.  This action created a single state building, electrical, plumbing, and mechanical code for the State of Michigan.  All communities within the state utilize the same construction code and standards, which are updated on a three-year cycle.  The current construction codes include:

• The 2015 Michigan Residential Code
• The 2015 Michigan Building Code
• The 2023 National Electrical Code with Part 8 Technical Amendments
• The 2021 Michigan Mechanical Code
• The 2021 Michigan Plumbing Code

Most construction projects require a building permit to ensure compliance with the Portage Zoning Code and Michigan Construction Codes. With regard to zoning requirements for one-family residential building projects, please review the One-Family Zoning Regulations (PDF) and the Lakefront Construction Guide on residential property (PDF). Before the construction, enlargement, alteration, moving, or demolition of a building or structure, an owner, or the owner's builder, architect, engineer, or agent, shall submit an application for a building permit.

A permit is not required for ordinary repairs or maintenance. Ordinary repairs to structures do not include the cutting away of any wall, partition, or portion thereof, the removal or cutting of any structural beam or bearing support, or the removal or change of any required means of egress, or the rearrangement of parts of a structure affecting the exit requirements.

Click the following links to view the residential permits and the commercial permits.

A person shall not equip a building with electrical conductors or equipment or make an alteration, change in, or addition to, electrical conductors or equipment without receiving a permit to do the work described. Work should not be started until a permit has been issued. Electrical permits are not required for the following:

• Repairs and maintenance: Minor repair work, including the replacement of lamps or the connection of approved portable electrical equipment to approved permanently installed receptacles.
• Radio and television transmitting stations: Provisions of the code do not apply to electrical equipment used for radio and television transmission, but do apply to equipment and wiring for power supply and to the installation of towers and antennas.
• Temporary testing systems: A permit is not required for the installation of any temporary system required for the testing or servicing of electrical equipment or apparatus.

Click the following link to view the Electrical Information Sheet. for an Electrical Permit please see the icon at the bottom of the page.

A plumbing permit is required for the erection, installation, enlargement, alteration, repair, removal, conversion, or replacement of any plumbing system regulated by the plumbing code. Work should not be started until a plumbing permit has been issued.

Plumbing permits are not required for the following:

• The stopping of leaks in drains, water, soil, waste, or vent pipes. However, if any concealed trap, drainpipe, water, soil, waste, or vent pipe becomes defective and it becomes necessary to remove and replace the drain or pipe with new material, then the work is considered new work and a permit shall be obtained and inspection made as provided in the code.
• The clearing of stoppages or the repairing of leaks in pipes, valves, or fixtures, and the removal and reinstallation of water closets, if the repairs do not involve or require the replacement or rearrangement of valves, pipes, or fixtures.

Click the following link to view the Plumbing Information Sheet and for a Plumbing Permit please click the icon below.

A mechanical permit is required for the erection, installation, enlargement, alteration, repair, removal, conversion or replacement of a mechanical system governed by the mechanical code. Except for the replacement of minor parts, mechanical work shall not be started until a permit for such work has been issued.

Mechanical permits are not required for the following:

• Portable heating or gas appliances that have inputs of less than 30,000 BTUs per hour.
• Replacement of any minor part that does not alter the approval of the equipment or make the equipment unsafe.
• Portable ventilation equipment and appliances.
• Portable cooling units.
• Portable evaporative cooler.
• Steam, hot or chilled water piping within any heating or cooling equipment regulated by the code.
• Replacement of any part that does not alter its approval or make it unsafe.
• Self-contained portable refrigeration units that contain 10 pounds or less of refrigeration or not more than 1.0 horsepower.

Click the following link to view the Mechanical Information Sheet and for a Mechanical Permit please click the permit icon below.

Yes. The State of Michigan allows two entities the authority to obtain a permit for residential construction work: a contractor licensed by the State of Michigan or the homeowner if that is their place of residence and they will be performing the work.

Yes. Driveway permits are issued by the Department of Community Development. Please contact the Building Services Division at (269) 329-4477 with questions. Permits to work in the public right-of-way are issued by the Department of Transportation and Utilities.  Please contact the Transportation Division project manager at (269) 329-4422 with questions.

A building permit will be required in the event that you wish to replace more than four sheets of decking (8x4) or any structural component during the roofing activity. No permit is required to remove and replace shingles only. Find information on how to obtain a residential building permit (PDF).

The city permits businesses to operate from a home under certain circumstances. Find more information on the standards for Home Occupations and obtain a permit application (PDF). Contact and address information are on the Community Development Department page.

No permit is required for a seven-foot-high or lower fence located on non-lakefront residential property. Consideration must be given, however, to ensure that the new fence does not create a vision obstruction for vehicles or pedestrians. Specific rules apply to fencing in the rear (lakefront) yard for lakefront properties. 

A  sign permit application is required prior to the installation of a new wall sign, freestanding sign, directional sign, non-accessory billboard sign and for many temporary signs. In addition, changes to existing wall and freestanding sign faces require a sign permit prior to making sign modifications. 

To apply for a sign permit: Online sign permit  

The city permits commercial outdoor promotional events under certain circumstances.  Find more information on the standard for Business Special Events and obtain a permit application (PDF). Contact and address information are on the Community Development Department page.

Construction of all sheds greater than 200 square feet requires a building permit to determine compliance with the City of Portage Zoning Code and Michigan Residential Building Code. Review the following brochures for additional information. Guidelines for Accessory Buildings brochure (PDF) and How To Obtain A Residential Building Permit brochure (PDF).

Most construction projects require a building permit to ensure compliance with the Portage Zoning Code and Michigan Residential Building Code. With regard to zoning requirements for one-family residential building projects, please review One-Family Zoning Regulations brochure.

The Department of Community Development provides a full range of services to the business community.  If your business is contemplating a new or expanding facility in Portage, the Department of Community Development will provide the support needed to see your project through to completion.

To ensure that your projects proceed on schedule, a four-step Development Review process is followed that begins with 1) Development Plan Approval, 2) Building Plan Approval, 3) Construction Inspections, and finally 4) Final Occupancy Approval.  The City of Portage Development Review Team is ready to work with your team through the four-step process.  The Development Review Team meets on a weekly basis to review ongoing projects that keep work moving along in a timely manner.  This comprehensive approach to planning and executing projects enables business owners to save time and minimize costs.  Team members work with designers and builders to solve complex issues and ensure that project planning, zoning, engineering, utility, and fire safety details are consistent with standards adopted by the City of Portage.

In business, time is money, and it is important to know that the Department of Community Development is working expeditiously for you to provide a thorough, consistent, and efficient process for the review and approval of your important project.  For further information on the Development Review process, view our Guide to Development (PDF) or contact the Development Officer at 269-329-4474.

The City of Portage has several business incentives and innovative financing tools available to businesses with business (re)investment. These tools include:

• Industrial Tax Abatements (PDF)
• Brownfield Redevelopment Incentive Policy
• Local Development Finance Authority (PDF)
• Economic Development Corporation/Tax Increment Finance and Brownfield Redevelopment Authority
• Downtown Development Authority

The most commonly used business incentive is the Industrial Tax Abatement for eligible businesses. For further information regarding the incentives and financing tools listed above, please contact the Department of Community Development at (269) 329-4477.

Complete the City of Portage Contractor License Registration/Renewal Information form and provide it with a photocopy of your contractor's license to the Department of Community Development.  For convenience, the form can also be mailed or faxed.

The city offers assistance to income-eligible Portage home owners with emergency repairs and housing rehabilitation in order to maintain decent, affordable housing and to promote neighborhood quality.  In addition, the city offers residents of Kalamazoo County assistance with the purchase of affordable houses within target Portage neighborhoods. Click on housing programs for more information.

The City of Portage Zoning Board of Appeals meets once per month to hear and act on applications for variances from the requirements of the Zoning Code. A review and consultation with staff can provide information regarding proposals for variances and is recommended prior to submitting an application. A Zoning Board of Appeals Application must be completed and submitted to the Department of Community Development for consideration by the Zoning Board of Appeals.

The City of Portage Neighborhood Support Program seeks to improve the livability of Portage neighborhoods.  Being a good neighbor and properly maintaining property in accordance with the City Codes is an important part of maintaining a high quality of life for those who work and live in our community. Click the following link to Report a neighborhood concern by address to the Department of Community Development.  For additional information, please see the Housing & Neighborhood Services section.

Zoning is the primary tool used to regulate the use of land in most communities. Zoning classifies land uses into certain categories referred to as zoning districts. Some uses are permitted by right while others, referred to as special land uses, require review and approval by the Planning Commission. The zoning districts are then geographically displayed on a map of the community areas determined appropriate for the various types of land uses. Each zoning district has its own set of regulations that control the intensity of development by regulating, for example:

• Accessory Signs
• Building Height
• Maximum Lot Coverage
• Minimum Lot Sizes
• The Number of Off-Street Parking Spaces
• Setback Distances

Information regarding the zoning designation for all properties located within Portage city limits is available on the GIS/City Maps. Land uses permitted within specific districts are found in the Zoning Code.  A review and consultation with staff can provide information regarding current and planned future land use for specific areas, which may help clarify potential uses within zoning districts or whether a potential change in zoning is feasible. View the City of Portage Comprehensive Plan (PDF) to learn about recommended future land uses throughout the city.

The best way to determine the exact location of property lines is to locate the property line markers (or monuments) that were installed at each property corner at the time the property was platted or surveyed.  Property lines indicated on the City of Portage GIS/City Maps page are for reference purposes only and may not be precise in relation to structures on your property.  It is the responsibility of the property owner to make sure that minimum setbacks from property lines are maintained according to zoning district regulations for new construction or alterations to existing structures.

Payments to vendors are batched and processed on a two week cycle. 

The city offers free ACH electronic payments for any City of Portage vendor. Payments can be made directly to your financial institution and deposited in your account. Electronic deposits are made the same day that checks are mailed. Complete and submit the ACH Application Form (PDF) to receive ACH payments from the City of Portage. Payments to vendors are batched and processed on a two-week cycle.

The Treasury Office, located in City Hall, 7900 South Westnedge Avenue, Portage, MI 49002, is open Monday through Thursday from 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM and Friday from  8 AM - 12 PM. We are closed Saturday and Sunday, except on legal holidays. 

You can use a credit/debit card to pay at the City of Portage. These payments can be made in person at the Treasury counter, online through the City's Access website, or via phone at (866) 270-5701. These payments are processed through a third party, Point and Pay, which charges the customer $3.95 (for up to a $500 charge) for utility bills and charges a 3 percent fee on all other payments.

The city takes actual readings for each utility customer and bills for all the water consumed. For residential customers only, the city automatically provides a “lawn sprinkling allowance” that limits the sewer charges assessed. The “cap,” as it is known, is based on each customer’s “winter-quarter” water use, which is defined as the billing cycle that includes the month of January. The “cap” is automatically computed and applied to all residential customers and does account for water deemed not to have been added to the city’s sanitary sewer.

Credit/debit card payments can be made in person at the Treasury Office, located at the City of Portage City Hall, 7900 South Westnedge Avenue. To pay with a credit/debit card via phone call (844) 943-3997 option 1, you must have your Utility account number, or to pay via the internet, visit www.portagemi.gov and click on $ on the home page. Invoice Cloud (third-party vendor) charges a processing fee for all credit/debit payments. The processing fee via online or in-person is $3.95, and payment via phone is $4.70. The maximum payment per transaction is $500.00.

All Portage water/sewer customers receive billing statements quarterly. When your billing cycle is being billed, you should receive the billing statement before the 10th of the month.  The billing statement is generally due on the last business day of the month, but it can vary slightly. If you don’t receive your utility bill before the 15th of the month, please contact the Treasury at (269) 329-4455 for the balance and the due date of your bill.

Find related links to the Paperless Billing page and the Bill Payment Options page.

• The City of Portage Treasury Office accepts payments via cash, check, money order, or credit/debit card.  Payment by credit or debit card can be made electronically through a third-party vendor on our website, portagemi.gov/142, or by calling (844_ 943-3997. Please note that the third party charges a processing fee.
• Please make checks payable to:  City of Portage.  Payment by check authorizes the City of Portage to convert the check into an electronic funds transfer.  Please be aware that your bank account may be debited as soon as the same day the City receives your payment.
• Payment can be made in person at the Treasury Office at City Hall.  
• A drop box is available at the south exit only door at City Hall, 24 hours per day, for your convenience. The payment drop-box is opened once a day at 8 a.m.  Payments placed in the drop-box after 8 AM will be processed the next business day.
• If mailing payment, please mail payment to the Treasury office, 7900 South Westnedge Avenue, Portage, MI 49002.  To receive proper credit, please include the bottom remittance portion of your billing statement.
• When mailing your payment, if you wish to receive a paid receipt, please include the full billing statement along with a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Summer bills are mailed by the middle of July and are due September 14. Winter bills are mailed the day before Thanksgiving and are due February 14. Any year those dates fall on a weekend, the due date becomes the following Monday. Property owners will always receive the original billing statement. If you have a tax arrangement with your mortgage company, they can receive a copy of your tax bill, provided they have requested it. This request status is noted on your original billing statement.

The Treasury Office, located in City Hall, 7900 South Westnedge Avenue, Portage, MI 49002, is open Monday through Thursday from 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM and Friday from 8 AM - 12 PM. We are closed on Saturdays and Sundays, and hours may vary on legal holidays. Please click here to view the City Hall holiday schedule.

You can use a credit/debit card to pay at the City of Portage. These payments can be made in person at the Treasury counter, online by visiting our Online Bill Pay page, or via phone at (844) 943-3997 for a $0.75 service fee. These payments are processed through a third party, InvoiceCloud, which charges the customer $3.95 (for up to a $500 charge) for utility bills and charges 3% on all other payments with a minimum of $2.95 charged.

Postcards will save on postage, envelopes, and processing costs. It also supports the city’s commitment to environmental sustainability.

To promote additional efficiencies, utility customers are encouraged to transition to paperless billing and utilize the Pay-by-Text option for convenience.

Contact the City of Portage Purchasing Department at 269-324-9284 or via email at purchasing@portagemi.gov.

• Contact any Purchasing Department representative at 269-324-9284 or via email at purchasing@portagemi.gov.
• All Request for Proposals (RFPs) and Invitation for Bids (IFBs) are advertised in the Kalamazoo Gazette.
• All RFPs and IFBs are posted on BidNet.  Bids are available for viewing and downloading from this site.
• You may also make direct contact at the division level if you have a product or service that may be of value to the department.

Yes, the City of Portage maintains a “general” vendor list.  Contact the Purchasing Department at purchasing@portagemi.gov to be added to list. No forms are required. These may be used to solicit bids or proposals for products and projects that exceed $74,000. With your request to be added to the vendor list, please list the products and services you are able to provide.

The City utilizes an on-line auction firm, Biddergy http://www.biddergy.com.  For more information, please contact the Purchasing Manager at 269-324-9284 or via email at purchasing@portagemi.gov. 

All job openings are listed on the City of Portage Career Portal.

We have several ways for you to apply: 

You may apply online through our Career Portal.   

An employment application (PDF) can be downloaded, completed, and mailed to the Human Resources Department at:

Human Resources

City Hall
City of Portage
7900 S Westnedge Avenue
Portage, MI  49002

Or an application may also be completed in person at the Human Resources Department located in City Hall.

A person is not prohibited from working for the city if they have a felony conviction. However, there are certain positions where individuals convicted of a felony cannot be employed. For other positions, the relationship between the type of felony conviction and position is considered, as is the number and nature of felony convictions, the amount of time since the felony conviction, and the potential risk the applicant would pose to the city or public.  

Call (269) 329-4533 for more information.

For most positions an applicant must be at least 18 years old.

No, applicants are welcome to apply online through our Career Portal.

Each applicant receives an email acknowledging that their application has been received. An email is sent to each applicant after their application is carefully reviewed, updating their status.  Applicants may call the Human Resources Department at (269) 329-4533 to check on an application, but there is very little information that can be given over the telephone.

The City tests approximately twice a year for Firefighter positions and on an as-needed basis for Police Officer positions to create a candidate pool for upcoming openings. Applications are always accepted.  The City will email all candidates who have applied since the most recent test date to notify them of upcoming testing opportunities. Candidates will receive instructions on how to register for the test via email.

Approximately ten weeks prior to an election, the city contacts individuals who successfully worked the previous election to confirm their interest in working the upcoming election. If additional workers are required, applications on file are reviewed, and if necessary, the city recruits new election officials. Any person registered to vote in Kalamazoo County can fill out an Election Official application (PDF) and submit it to the department or visit the Human Resources Department at:

Human Resources
City of Portage
7900 S Westnedge Avenue
Portage, MI  49002

The city provides Election Official training within two weeks prior to the election. In order to work the election, Election Officials must receive training at least every two years.

Yes, election workers are paid $140 for working the day of the election and $20 for attending training. 

Volunteer opportunities are posted, including Boards and Commission opportunities. Volunteer applications can be completed online or at the Human Resources Department at:

Human Resources
City of Portage
7900 S Westnedge Avenue
Portage, MI  49002

Individuals interested in volunteering with the city are encouraged to complete a volunteer application, even if there is not a volunteer opening listed, since the skills and abilities of a potential volunteer may spark the identification of a volunteer opportunity.

No, any person 21 years or older can rent a pavilion or one of the Portage Historical buildings in Celery Flats. Learn more on our Facility Rentals page.

Facilities may be reserved up to one year in advance. Learn more on our Facility Rentals page.

Click the Purple View Facilities & Register Online button on our Facility Rentals page. That will take you directly to our Reservation site, where you can view all of our facilities, the availability, as well as make a reservation. Feel free to contact Portage Parks & Recreation with questions at (269) 329-4522.

For additional information, see our Facility Rentals page.

Yes, during the months when the lifeguards are on duty (Memorial Day through Labor Day), there is an admission fee to the park for Non-Residents. The 2025 Season is offered FREE to Residents. Prior to Memorial Day or after Labor Day, there is no admission fee. Contact Portage Parks & Recreation at (269) 329-4522 for fee information.

It is not permitted to charge entrance into a city park; however, you are able to charge specifically for your event prior to the event.

No. Additional picnic tables are not available for rental. 

Tents and canopies are allowed; however, an additional security deposit and rental fee are required for anything larger than a 10-foot by 10-foot pop-up tent. Call Portage Parks & Recreation at (269) 329-4522 or visit our Facility Rentals page for more information.

Single-use inflatables (no bouncing inflatables) and climbing towers are allowed when provided by a licensed, commercial vendor meeting city insurance requirements. No residential units are permitted. All requests for inflatables, climbing towers, and dunk tanks must be approved by Portage Parks & Recreation prior to installation. Call (269) 329-4522 for more information.

Alcohol is allowed in most city parks, with the exception of Ramona Park due to the beach operation and Westfield Park due to a neighborhood initiative. However, alcohol consumption is not allowed in parking lots to prevent safety concerns, nor is alcohol allowed in the dugouts of any softball diamonds. The serving of alcohol for rentals requires a city permit, which can be obtained by calling Portage Parks & Recreation at (269) 329-4522.

The  City of Portage does not regulate, set or change the date or time for  trick-or-treating within the city. It is a matter of personal and/or neighborhood preference.

The use of motorized vehicles by Portage Parks & Recreation is the best way to access the trails for trail repairs, litter removal, and emergency needs. Park Rangers periodically patrol trails by truck throughout the year when bicycle access is not feasible.

Park restrooms are not heated and subject to freezing and damage during the late fall/winter periods. Restrooms are closed and winterized during the last week of October and opened around May 1.

Please contact the Department of Public Works at (269) 329-4444 to report your concern. Staff will investigate the matter and take the appropriate action.

The Skatepark was developed solely for use by skateboarders. Bicycles have a greater potential to damage the Skatepark facility and for safety purposes would need to be separated from skateboard activity. As the city does not have the resources to manage separate uses, bicycles are prohibited within the South Westnedge Skatepark.

Before you can become a vendor, you must first fill out a vendor application, which is available online HERE. Your application will be approved or denied based on the type of goods you sell and the amount of space that is available in the market. If you are approved, please refer to the market application for deposit and payment deadlines.

Opening day of the Portage Farmers Market will be on May 4, 2025. It will run every Sunday thereafter until October 12, 2025. The market hours are from 9 AM to 1 PM. 

You must sell products or goods that comply with Federal and State laws and regulations. Vendors must also make or grow 75% of the products or goods that they sell at the market. Vendors are allowed to sell products made by other farms, vendors and manufacturers. However, these products must be detailed on the application or approved by the Market Manager.

Only vendors or farms that are certified organic, in accordance with the USDA National Organic Program may use the word "organic" in written or verbal form.

Each market stall measures 10' by 10'. If additional space is required, arrangements must be made with the Market Manager prior to opening day.

Every vendor will be required to provide their own tent, table, signage/banner, and weights (at least 50 pounds per tent post).

For Seasonal vendors: A market stall costs $325 per season, oversize stall costs an additional $162 per season. For Daily vendors: A market stall costs $20 per day.

Unless previously arranged, a 48-hour notice should be given to the Market Manager. Emergency cancellations need to be reported to the Market Manager ASAP.

Growers are defined as vendors that feature 80% or more of products grown by their own business and are typically farmers who produce vegetables, fruits, flowers, etc.

Producers are vendors that sell 80% or more of prepared food or drink products, Michigan Cottage Food eligible products, value-added items, or processed goods resulting from animals raised by their business. For example: bakers, farmers who sell meats, cheeses, eggs, etc. 

Retailers are vendors where 20% or more of their market sales come from products that are grown or produced by another business or farm. Ex: some farms may sell items from cooperatives or other farms or represent additional vendors not featured at market. 

Artisans/Crafters sell hand-crafted, non-edible products that are locally made and are designed by the business owners and employees. Examples include: pottery, paintings, fiber arts, hand-blown glass, jewelry, etc.

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The Portage Farmers Market asks that all vendors be set up by 8:45 AM each Sunday. Any delays must be reported to the Market Manager ahead of time. A cell phone call or text message should be given to the Market Manager only in emergency situations.

It is not required. However, when applicable, it is strongly recommended that vendors participate in food assistance programs. The Portage Farmers Market will be supporting SNAP, Double Up Food Bucks, Senior Project FRESH and WIC Project FRESH during the 2024 season.

It depends. Vendors with liability insurance are required to provide the Market Manager with documentation of liability insurance 30 days prior to attending the Portage Farmers Market. All food vendors selling hot, ready to eat food items and vendors that are preparing food on-site must carry liability insurance in the amount no less than $1,000,000 and naming the City of Portage as additional insured. Vendors that are not required to carry liability insurance must sign the Hold Harmless waiver.

Yes. Seasonal vendors will be assigned their space on their first day of the market. Daily vendors will need to check in with the Farmers Market Manager each week during set-up, to find out their assigned space for the day. If you would like the same space as prior years, please make the Market Manager aware of your request either in person or on the application. 

You, are able to hand out literature and promotional material about your products and your businesses. In fact, we encourage it. However, we ask that you refrain from handing out promotional material unrelated to your products and businesses as well as political literature. Additionally, please refrain from handing out literature for other businesses and products. 

Yes. Cottage Food producers can sell food at the market. However, vendors must be properly labeled and comply with the State of Michigan Cottage Food laws. The Farmers Market Manager will also need to be notified in advance if any samples are being handed out to the public.

Yes. However, you do need to indicate what samples you are handing out to the public on your application. If you decide to hand out samples after your application has been submitted, you must notify the Farmers Market Manager in advance regarding what samples you are planning to hand out to the public. You must also comply with all state and federal regulations when sampling your products.

The Portage Farmers Market is always open to event ideas, activity ideas, and new partnerships. If you would like to bring an event or activity to the market, please contact the Farmers Market Manager at (269) 329-4421 or wurtsmib@portagemi.gov.

Opening day of the Portage Farmers Market will be on May 4, 2025. It will run every Sunday thereafter until October 12, 2025. The market hours are from 9 AM to 1 PM.

There are four types of vendors that will be selling at the Portage Farmers Market: producers, growers, retailers, and artisans. The number of non-food vendors and service vendors will be limited to ensure an authentic Farmers Market experience.

The Portage Farmers Market is located at Portage City Hall, 7900 South Westendge Avenue, Portage, MI 49002. 

All vendors will accept cash payment in US dollars. Some vendors will also be able to take credit card payments at their market stalls. Portage Farmers Market Tokens will be available for food assistance program participants. The Portage Farmers Market will NOT be able to accept credit card payment in exchange for tokens. The Portage Farmers Market currently supports the following food assistance programs: SNAP, Double Up Food Bucks, Senior Project FRESH, and WIC Project FRESH. Food assistance programs cannot be used for services and non-food items.

All vendors participating in the Portage Farmers Market must meet all Federal, State and local preparation, licensing, labeling and storage regulations. All vendors must also sell only products that are legal under Federal and State law.

The Portage Farmers Market only allows its vendors to use the word "organic" in verbal or written form if they are Certified Organic, in accordance with the USDA National Organic Program. 

Yes. Many of the vendors do have their own websites and Facebook pages. Each vendor and their contact information will also be listed on the website for the Portage Farmers Market at portagemi.gov/607/Farmers-Market. 

Portage Farmers Market does not allow pets into the market or anywhere near where food is sold/consumed. However, registered service animals will be allowed entrance. 

We ask that you do not park inside the Farmers Market area or in the parking spaces behind the vendor tents. There is plenty of parking inside the City Hall parking lot for customers and vendors. Additional parking is available on Brown Avenue and across the street at Comerica Bank.

Yes. If a market day happens to fall on a holiday or holiday weekend, the Portage Farmers Market will be open.

Yes. The market normally operates in rain, cold, and snow. However, it will not operate during emergencies or when weather warnings have been issued.

Yes. There are plenty of handicapped parking spaces available to customers and vendors. Additionally, the market has enough space for customers using wheelchairs and other walking aids.

At this time there is not an ATM at the Portage Farmers Market, though there are two ATMS nearby the Portage Farmers Market at Comerica Bank and Huntington Bank.

We are always looking for volunteers to help out at the market. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, please contact the Farmers Market Manager at (269) 329-4421 or via email at wurtsmib@portagemi.gov.

If you are interested in playing at the Portage Farmers Market, please contact the Market Manager at (269) 329-4421 or via email at wurtsmib@portagemi.gov.

If you have an event idea or are interested in hosting an event or activity, please contact the Farmers Market Manager at (269) 329-4421 or via email at wurtsmib@portagemi.gov.

Contact the Farmers Market Manager, Brianna Wurtsmith at (269) 329-4421 or wurtsmib@portagemi.gov.

Portage residency is not a requirement for membership. Our members come from all over Kalamazoo County and beyond. View our Membership page for information on fees, and exceptions to individuals who are unable to pay.

Membership is required to participate in all social/recreational clubs and groups. Non-members may travel with the Portage Zhang Senior Center (PZSC), and register for various classes but pay a higher price. Membership is not required to take advantage of services such as the Center Cafe, transportation, etc. View our Membership page for more details.

Currently the annual cost is $30 for Portage residents and $40 for non-residents. A scholarship fund is generously provided by the Friends of the Portage Senior Center.  View our Membership page for more information and for how to pay.

The Center is open Monday and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Tuesday through Thursday 7:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.  The Center is also open on Sunday afternoon from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. 

Tuesday through Thursday the Center is open until 7:30 p.m and Sunday afternoons from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m.

A few "intergenerational" trips are scheduled annually. Persons younger than 50 may come if there is room. Seniors have priority in registering for trips. Of course, if a senior needs assistance while traveling, a younger companion is welcome to sign up. View more on our Travel page.

When Portage Public Schools cancel or close due to inclement weather, the Portage Zhang Senior Center will be open on regularly posted hours.  Please note the following exceptions:

• All van transportation provided by the PSC will be cancelled.
• All instructor-led programs and special events will be cancelled.

On the rare occasion that the City of Portage makes a decision to close non-emergency operations due to inclement weather, ALL Senior Center activities will automatically be cancelled. Participants are encouraged to monitor closing announcements on WWMT-TV Channel 3, WKZO-590 AM radio, social media and Portage Alert notifications.  Questions regarding the PZSC Closing Policy may be directed to any PZSC staff person.

Visit the city's Report It! module to file a report or contact the Streets Maintenance Division at (269) 329-4444.

Yes, the city will pickup dead wildlife if in the street or city right-of-way, but not on private property. Please contact the City of Portage Streets Maintenance Division at (269) 329-4444. Note: The city will not pick up domestic animals. For this service, please contact Kalamazoo County Animal Services and Enforcement at (269) 383-8775.

Residents may report damage to a mailbox to the Streets Maintenance Division as soon as it is discovered. Please contact the Streets Maintenance Division at (269) 329-4444.

The Fall Leaf Pickup schedule can be found on the Fall Leaf Pickup page.

Loose leaves are only collected in the fall.  The city will collect leaves bagged in biodegradable paper bags during the April Brush Pickup.  The city also hosts Brush Drop-off Days several times throughout the year at the Portage Compost Facility.

The city does not plow private driveways. One thing you can do to minimize the problem is to clear snow to the right side of your driveway (facing your house from the street). This gives some of the snow a place to go as the plow goes by and will minimize what ends up in your driveway. A clear illustration of this practice can be found on the city website, Snow Remove Page.

Due to ever changing weather conditions, we are not able to give you an estimate of when your street will be cleared. As weather conditions change, we often must alter our snow fighting strategy in the middle of snow removal operations in order to try to control drifting snow, ice or other special problems.

Each snow plow has an assigned section. If the trucks spread salt on the way to their destination, they won't have enough to spread in their sections. Additionally, other drivers passing through may plow off salt without realizing it. Plowing along the way would mean it would take that much longer for the truck to reach its assigned section.

Big plow trucks are used to plow an initial access path in all cul de sacs. When all major and local roads have been cleared, a 4x4 truck will return to each cul de sac to cleanup as needed. Snow will be removed from the middle of cul de sacs only when piles create an obstacle when maneuvering. Please note that cul de sacs are lower on our plowing priority list, since we have fewer residents living on them. We ask for your patience and our trucks will get to you.

As we plow from curb to curb, snow may fall onto the sidewalks. Unfortunately, there are some areas where the curb lawn is narrow and the plowed snow covers the sidewalks. Some have suggested the plows go through these areas at a slower speed so the snow is not thrown that far. However, plows must maintain a certain speed to keep the snow from sticking to the blades. We also do not store snow on the curb lawn because it can cause visibility problems for traffic.

Our practice is to plow from curb to curb, which is why you see our plow trucks typically make three or more passes on each side of the street. This is to clear the street as much as possible the first time we come through; due to changing weather conditions, we might not be back for a while. Snow that is left behind will harden, making it more difficult to remove when we return.

Yes. According to the Michigan Vehicle Code (Section 257.677a), a person cannot place snow, ice, or slush on any road or highway. Residents clearing their own snow, or private companies hired to do so, must keep the snow on the property it came from.

Different weather events require the use of different techniques. The decision whether to salt or plow depends on the weather conditions. For example, if the temperature is below 20 degrees and not expected to rise, salt will not be effective. But if the sun is shining, and the temperature is 20 degrees or higher and expected to stay stead or rise, then salt would be more effective. Plowing under the wrong conditions can create a polished street surface, resulting in dangerous glare ice.

Different weather events require the use of different techniques. The decision whether to salt or plow depends on the weather conditions. For example, if the temperature is below 20 degrees and not expected to rise, salt will not be effective. But if the sun is shining, and the temperature is 20 degrees or higher and expected to stay stead or rise, then salt would be more effective. Plowing under the wrong conditions can create a polished street surface, resulting in dangerous glare ice.

There are several possible reasons:

• Every driver participates in pre-season training. Skills must be sharpened and routes must be learned and re-learned.
• Trucks may be scanning the city for secondary clearing opportunities (like where vehicles were parked during plowing, which have since moved). This happens often. Trucks also may be hauling snow and/or returning from a drop off.

The short answer is that we just don't have the staff or resources to do this. Additionally, as weather conditions can change quickly, this could waste time by working crews that have nothing to plow. Department of Public Works management and the Department of Public Safety monitor weather changes so we can call in crews as needed. From December to March, we generally have 24 hour coverage during the week, with staff covering weekends as weather conditions require.

We don't use sand because it doesn't work in all situations. In an urban setting like Portage, sand washes into and can clog our storm sewers.

The potential for a medical emergency does not warrant priority treatment. Anyone needing an ambulance in a medical emergency should call 911 and the situation will be handled in an appropriate manner.

Overnight on-street parking is prohibited between 2 AM and 6 AM., December 1 through March 15.

Please contact the Department of Public Works at (269) 329-4444 or complete an online report.  The City of Portage Damaged Mailbox Replacement Policy allows for the repair or replacement of damaged mailboxes, which were in previously good condition, on a case-by-case basis.  Please take a moment to review the City of Portage Damaged Mailbox Replacement Policy for more information.

Property owners are responsible for clearing snow/ice from sidewalks in front of their residence or business within 24 hours following a snow or ice event.

For the 2016-2017 season, we have a budget of roughly $900,000. Plowing is funded by state Public Act 51 money, which comes from the gas and weight taxes. Local taxes do not fund snow plowing operations. Overall, budgets have remained flat or slightly less over time, and we face increased expenses. The budget reflects fluctuating fuel costs, increasing equipment costs and salt costs.

We wish we had enough snow plows and drivers to take care of every street right away, but our resources are limited, so we must adhere to a carefully laid out system for clearing the streets. If we allowed our plows to be diverted each time a special request is made, it would take longer to get all streets in the city cleared. 

Plowing priorities: 

1. All major streets. Examples include South Westnedge Avenue, Oakland Drive, Milham Avenue, Kilgore Road, Shaver Road, Lovers Lane, etc. 

2.All primary “feeder” streets leading into various residential neighborhoods, including access streets to all schools. 

3.All interior neighborhood streets.

4.Cleanup of cul‐de‐sacs and dead ends streets.

• Households will be charged $14.04 per month for trash service (billed directly to the resident by WM quarterly at $42.12 per quarter).
• Those who subscribe to yard waste service will be charged $10.50 per month, (billed directly to the resident by WM seasonally for the service period of April 1 – November 30).
• Recycling services will continue to be funded through the voter-approved millage and included in property taxes.

Yes. The City of Portage and WM have a 5-year contract, which includes a 4% increase each year:     

In mid-to-late February 2026, WM will deliver one 96-gallon trash cart and one 96-gallon recycling cart to each household. 

Smaller 64-gallon trash carts will be available, which can be exchanged for the larger 96-gallon carts after April 30, 2026. 

Every household will receive a 96-gallon recycling cart during the roll-out. Residents may contact WM at 1-877-814-2328 to have the recycling cart removed after the roll-out.

Every household will receive a 96-gallon trash cart during the roll-out. Section 308 of the International Property Maintenance Code requires that residents remove trash from their property. If a resident wishes to dispose of their trash on their own and not use the service provided by WM, they may call 1-877-814-2328 to have the trash cart removed after the roll-out.

Residents who wish to subscribe to yard waste service must sign up with WM between March 1 and March 31, 2026, and prepay for the full season. Residents who miss this window must wait until next year to enroll; only new residents will be able to sign up after March 31, 2026.

Yes. WM will deliver a new 96-gallon trash cart and a new 96-gallon recycling cart to every Portage household. Please roll your old carts to the curb following collection the week of February 22, 2026. WM will remove them.

Please roll your existing carts to the curb following collection the week of February 22, 2026. Best Way Disposal, the city’s current recycling vendor and trash and yard waste provider for many households, along with Republic, will collect their empty carts.

• Trash will be collected weekly.
• Yard waste will be collected weekly from April 1 – November 30.
• Recycling will be collected every other week.

WM has invested approximately $55M in Michigan with the development of a state-of-the-art single-stream recycling facility in the City of Detroit. This advanced facility uses optical sorting scanners for both fiber and plastic materials to maximize recovery and improve the quality of recyclables. The operation also includes system upgrades that enhance glass recovery and cleanup. The WM Detroit Recycling Facility can process up to 144,000 tons of material each year, helping give materials a second life and expanding local recycling opportunities. Learn More at www.wm.com/us/en/detroit-wm-recycling-facilty.

Beginning March 1, 2026, residents can schedule the collection of one curbside bulk item for collection each week, eliminating the need to wait for the Spring Cleanup Program or transport items to a landfill for a fee. Simply call 1-877-814-2328 before your weekly trash collection to schedule the pickup.

WM operates in strict compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. The City of Portage has set clear performance standards and will hold the WM accountable for customer service issues. This ensures reliable pickups, better recycling programs, and responsive customer service.

As part of the WM Smart Truck® program, all WM trucks are outfitted with cameras. The program is designed to help create cleaner, safer communities while giving you more visibility into your service and billing. The use of cameras:

• Sends meaningful insights to your service levels and billing.
• Helps prevent loose material, odors, and pest problems caused by overages.
• Provides helpful reminders about what is and is not acceptable in your container.
• Keeps drivers on schedule and focused on providing safe service.
• Let’s the WM Driver know if the cart was set out for service.

The Portage City Administration opened sealed competitive bids from four waste service providers on March 6, 2025. Three bidders were advanced to the next stage of the award process: Best Way, Republic Services, and Waste Management of Michigan, Inc. (WM). Interviews were conducted in March 2025 with the City Manager, Purchasing Manager, and all three bidding companies in attendance. Upon review, WM's proposal was the strongest bid and had the lowest monthly waste removal rate of $14.04 for residential customer garbage collection, $10.50 for yard waste (only charged during the eight months yard waste is collected), and $4.69 for recycling services for the first year. The City Council awarded a five-year contract awarded to the low bidder, WM, to provide residential waste services citywide beginning March 1, 2026.

All waste haulers were offered the opportunity to submit their best price. This competitive approach allows for better oversight, consistent service quality, and cost savings for residents by negotiating bulk contracts. The city is not aiming to eliminate competition but to streamline and improve waste services through a single-hauler system.

By negotiating bulk pricing with one provider, the city can lower service costs. Economies of scale provide cost efficiencies that are absent when a company has only a portion of the homes in town.

Moving to a single-hauler system will simplify service delivery, reduce costs for most Portage households, and lessen environmental and infrastructure impacts. Residents will no longer have to manage contracts or compare rates between multiple providers. A single hauler offers consistent pricing and service, making waste management simpler and more predictable. The city will also assist in addressing customer service concerns.

Yes. With only one provider, billing becomes uniform and predictable, eliminating confusion over different rates and service terms.

Fewer garbage trucks on residential streets means less traffic congestion and a lower risk of accidents. This improves both vehicle and pedestrian safety.

Absolutely. Trucks cause significant wear on streets. Reducing the number of trucks operating in neighborhoods can extend the life of roadways and reduce maintenance costs.

Traffic causes wear on our streets. Every pass of a heavy truck adds stress to pavement. If three trucks each collect part of a neighborhood, that’s three full sets of heavy axles on the same streets. A single modern truck can handle the same volume in one trip. That means far fewer passes on neighborhood roads. Even when a truck does need to unload, those trips are usually made on arterials (roads built for heavy traffic), not back through residential blocks. On balance, one truck always means fewer heavy loads traveling over neighborhood streets, which translates into less wear and tear over time.

Optimized collection routes reduce fuel usage and cut down on emissions, improving environmental sustainability. What’s more, WM uses a compressed natural gas (CNG) fleet, a cleaner, quieter, and more efficient alternative to diesel. And with fewer trucks in your neighborhood, you can expect a significant decrease in noise pollution.

Recreational fires may be kindled only if a permit has been obtained. To receive a permit, contact the Portage Department of Public Safety - Fire Division at (269) 329-4487 or visit Fire Station #1 between the hours of 8:00 AM and 5:30 PM, Monday through Thursday, or 8:00 AM and 12:00 PM on Fridays at 7830 Shaver Road, Portage, MI 49024. 

Burning of leaves or yard waste is prohibited by city ordinance. However, the Department of Public Works has regular leaf pickup and brush pickup programs.

The Department of Public Safety - Fire Division regularly provides fire station tours and public education events for schools or community organizations. These are hosted at Fire Station #1 located at 7830 Shaver Road, Portage, MI 49024

To schedule your organization's visit, please call (269) 329-4487 between the hours of 8 AM and 5:30 PM, Monday through Thursday, and 8 AM and 12 PM on Friday.

The Fire Division does not sell or service fire extinguishers. Several local businesses provide this service. The Fire Division does not recommend any particular firm. For details, call (269) 329-4487.

Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are provided to Portage residents upon request. Please call the Administrative Office at (269) 329-4487 during office hours to schedule an installation appointment. Our office hours are 8 AM to 5:30 PM, Monday through Thursday, and 8 AM to 12 PM on Friday.

The Fire Division installs car seats by appointment only between 1 to 4 PM, Monday through Saturday. Please call (269) 329-4487 to schedule a car seat installation. 

The Portage Department of Public Safety - Police Division is located at:
7810 Shaver Road
Portage, MI  49002  

The Police Division does not operate a holding facility. All arrested persons are transported to the Kalamazoo County Jail located at:
1500 Lamont Avenue
Kalamazoo, MI 49048

Once the person has been transported to the Kalamazoo County Jail, visitation is allowed. The phone number for the Kalamazoo County Jail is 269-385-6173.

If you live in Portage, contact the Community Policing Officer at 269-324-9255.

Fingerprints can be taken at the Department of Public Safety - Police Division at:
7810 Shaver Road
Portage, MI 49002

The information needed will vary based on what is being reported. The following is a list of questions that could be asked when you call for police service. Not all questions will be applicable to every call. The communications operator is going to want to know:

1. What is occurring or has occurred?
2. The location of the occurrence?
3. Your location if different from occurrence.
4. Your name and phone number. (Anonymous calls are accepted and responded to.)
5. The time of the occurrence.
6. Are there any injuries?
7. Is anyone intoxicated?
8. Are there weapons involved?
9. How many people involved?
10. What is the description of the people involved (gender, race, hair color, eye color, height, weight, scars, tattoos, clothing, etc.)?
11. What is the description of the vehicles involved (tag, color, make, model, year)?
12. What was the direction of travel for anyone leaving the scene on foot or in a vehicle?
13. Are there any witnesses?
14. Are there any animals at the house? Inside or outside?
15. Is the location fenced? Are there any clotheslines or pools?
16. Has anyone been outside?

Questions 14-16 are necessary for the safety of approaching officers. Also, if police K-9s are used, this information will assist in effectively deploying the dogs.

You should decrease your speed gradually, use your signal to indicate which way you intend to pull over (pull to the right if at all possible) and come to a complete stop. If you are pulled over at night, try to stop in a well-lit area. Turn on your dome light and keep your hands on the steering wheel. Do not begin collecting your documents before you are requested to do so.

Do not exit your vehicle unless you are requested to do so. Stay calm and provide the information requested by the officer relative to your driver’s license, registration and insurance card. Please do not reach under the seat, into the glove box, etc. without telling the officer what you are doing. Remember, the officer does not know what your intentions are.

Yes, there are several alternatives. Make a report via telephone through the “teleserve” unit  by calling 269-329-4558. Submit a report.

If there is a possibility that physical evidence exists, it may be necessary to have an officer come to you.

The permit serves several purposes, including providing a list of emergency contacts for the location; information about the company monitoring the alarm; for a business, hours of operation, and locations of key boxes. There is no charge for this permit.

Permits do not expire and remain valid while the alarm system is in operation.

If the alarm monitoring service is stopped or restarted, a new permit must be requested.

If the Fire Division responds to a false alarm, the permit holder will receive a letter with a request for information regarding the cause of the false alarm and steps that have been taken to prevent a recurrence. This answer must be provided within 14 days. A response fee, set by the City Council, is assessed for more than one false alarm in a calendar year.

Yes. A police officer will be dispatched to address the complaint. In many cases, callers reporting noise complaints prefer to remain anonymous. In those cases, the officer will still respond; however, if the noise has stopped when the officer arrives, no police action can be taken.

An officer will be dispatched on the same basis as that of a noise complaint.

We would prefer that you start with the officer’s/employee’s immediate supervisor. In most cases, this will be a Sergeant. There is always a police supervisor (a sergeant or lieutenant) on duty seven days a week, 24 hours a day - so please call (269) 329-4508. You may also complete a complaint/compliment form online or fill out a form located in the police lobby at 7810 Shaver Road, Portage, MI 49002. 

If the complaint can be resolved by a supervisor, they will do so. These issues usually involve a question of why the police do or do not do something. If the complaint cannot be resolved at this step, it is documented on a department administrative review form and directed to the Public Safety Director. Minor complaints will be referred to a supervisor to investigate. More serious complaints are referred to Internal Affairs. In most cases, it will be necessary to take a recorded statement from the person complaining. This eliminates any confusion or misunderstanding. Any witnesses will also be interviewed. The employees involved will be interviewed under oath and recorded. Any video, audio, documents, or other data will be collected. Internal Affairs will then compile all of this material into a file and refer all material to the Public Safety Director.

The Public Safety Director reviews all of the documentation and makes a determination. If department employees violate department policy, corrective action will be taken. This may range from remedial training, counseling, and up to and including termination. If the documentation does not support a finding of policy violation, no action is taken. The person making a complaint will be notified of the finding in writing.

Use a kitchen pail (e.g., a large bowl with a lid, a compostable bag, a countertop compost bin, a five-gallon bucket, etc.) big enough to hold a day or two of food scraps.

Pro Tip  Keep extra smelly scraps, like meat, in the refrigerator or freezer until you’re able to drop off your scraps.

Pro Tip  Line your kitchen pail with newspaper or a paper bag, which will absorb liquid and help keep your kitchen pail clean.

10 convenient drop-off locations featuring 64-gallon lime green bins:

WESTFIELD PARK: 4500 West Milham Avenue
HARBOR WEST PARK: 3458 Summersong Path
MARLOW STREET CUL-DE-SAC: Adjacent to Haverhill Elementary
PORTAGE CREEK BICENTENNIAL PARK: 910 East Milham Avenue
LAKEVIEW PARK: 9345 Portage Road
OAKLAND DRIVE PARK: 7600 Oakland Drive
RAMONA PARK: 8600 South Sprinkle Road
WEST LAKE NATURE PRESERVE: 9001 South Westnedge Avenue
SCHRIER PARK: 850 West Osterhout Avenue
LEXINGTON GREEN PARK: 4750 Pittsford Street

Pro Tip  Most drop-off bins are located in city parks, open daily from 7 AM to dusk. Plan your visit accordingly!

As long as the lid to the bin is closed after use, animals will not be able to access the bins. City staff will monitor the bins at the 10 drop-off locations.

Check out the “How It’s Made: Compost” video on the My Green Michigan website at https://youtu.be/ggL4Wuvsq8Q.

By recycling your food scraps, you’re contributing to a cleaner, greener future for everyone! 

Reduce Waste  Divert food scraps from landfills and reduce overall waste, helping to extend the life of landfills.
Support Sustainability  Recycled food scraps are turned into nutrient-rich compost, which can enrich soil and support local agriculture.
Cut Emissions  Decomposing food in landfills produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Recycling food scraps helps lower these harmful emissions.
Protect the Environment  Composting helps improve soil health and reduces the need for chemical fertilizers, benefiting ecosystems.

Not exactly. Both processes aim to recycle organic material into nutrient-rich compost, but differ in the types of materials they accept and how they are processed. Our Food Scraps Recycling Program is specifically designed for items like fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, eggshells, meat, and dairy (see reverse for a list of acceptable materials). Yard waste composting focuses on plant-based materials such as leaves, grass clippings, branches, and garden trimmings. These materials break down differently, and combining them improperly can disrupt the composting process.

The Police Division does not respond to routine lock-outs unless there is an immediate danger, i.e., a child is locked inside or in response to an animal locked in the car with the windows rolled up and the situation could constitute animal cruelty. Otherwise, you will be asked to contact a locksmith or towing company.  

Stop and remain at the scene. If possible, you should move your vehicle off the roadway. Have someone call the police at either 911 or 269-329-4508 depending on the severity of the situation.

Depending on the nature of the police investigation, reports may be available within five business days. Some reports may take longer, and most are subject to the Michigan Freedom of Information Act. You may call the Police Records Section to check on the status of your request at 269-329-4568.

If your incident is an emergency, call 911. If non-emergency, call (269) 488-8911.

If the incident took place outside of the City of Portage please call the police department for that city.

A known suspect is when you or someone else knows the person or where to find the person who committed the crime or the license plate number of the vehicle the suspect(s) were in. If you have known suspect information, please call (269) 488-8911 to report the incident.

The streetlight system in the City of Portage is owned and operated by Consumers Energy. The cost for the energy use is paid to Consumers Energy by City of Portage general revenue. If you notice a streetlight is out please visit the Consumers Energy website. Those without access to a computer may call the City of Portage Transportation and Utilities Department at 269-329-4422 to report a streetlight outage.

If a traffic light seems out of sync you may call the Traffic Engineer in the Department of Transportation and Utilities at 269-329-4422.

Review our answer on our Traffic Signals Placement page.

Review our page on Pedestrian Signals.

Where buttons are available to pedestrians, it is because the traffic signal is timed for cars, not for people on foot.  If you don't activate the pedestrian signal by pushing the button, the traffic light won't give you enough time to safely cross the street.  You only need to push the button once for it to be activated.

The flashing "don't walk" or upraised hand is a warning to people who have not yet entered the intersections that it's too late to safely cross the street before the traffic signal changes allowing cars to proceed. Signals are timed to allow plenty of time for people who have already started walking to safely cross the street.

The city has mapping available to determine approximate boundaries and property line locations. The City of Portage does not have a Licensed Surveyor or staff to perform property surveys. There are many local survey companies which can perform this task.

Storm water in Portage is generally collected at catch basins and allowed to infiltrate (drain) back into the subsoil. In a few instances, neighborhoods near a lake or Portage Creek have a drain to the water body for discharge. Regardless of the discharge location is important to never dispose of litter, oils, pet waste or any other debris in the catch basin. If you observe any suspicious activity around a catch basin, please call 269-329-4422 to report any dumping.

Yes, driveway permits are issued by the Department of Community Development.  Please contact the Building Services Division at 269-329-4477 with questions.  Permits to work in the public right of  way (ROW) are issued by the Department of Transportation and Utilities.  Please contact the Transportation Department at 269-329-4422 with questions.

You may learn the current status of I-94 widening projects at the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) website. You may also contact the local MDOT office at 269-375-8900 to obtain further details about a MDOT project.

You may find out about current street projects and detours through our Street Construction page or our Local Road Alerts page. You may also contact the Transportation and Utilities Department at 269-329-4422 to obtain further details about a project.

All public streets in the city are swept twice each year - once in the spring and again in the fall in conjunction with the Fall Leaf Pickup.

If you believe there is a water main break please contact Veolia (the city contract utility operator) at (269) 324-9235.

If you notice a sewer back up in your basement or on your property please contact Veolia (the city contract utility operator) at (269) 324-9235 to investigate the city system for blockages. The maintenance of the sewer line from the house to the street is in most instances the responsibility of the property owner.

Most areas of Portage have municipal water and/or sanitary sewer available. To determine the cost to make a connection to the system(s) please call the Department of Community Development at (269) 329-4466 to request a permit application be entered into the city permitting system for connection fee purposes.  No charges are assessed to submit a permit application; all fees are assessed when a permit is issued.

To see if this service is available in your area please contact the GIS Specialist in the Department of Community Development at (269) 329-4477.  Be aware that even though water and sewer facilities are available at a given address, outstanding benefit fees may exist.

If you have a question regarding your water and sewer bill please call the City of Portage Treasury Department at (269) 329-4455.

The Treasury Department is located at:
Portage City Hall
7900 S Westnedge Avenue
Portage, MI 49002

The department is open Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Friday, 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.  A  drop box is available at City Hall (same address as listed for the Treasury) for after hours payments.

Please call Veolia (the city's utility contractor) at (269) 324-9235 and request a service person be dispatched to your home to determine the problem.

On December 9, 2019, the City of Portage received its temporary permit from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) to pump water from the Hampton Bog. The pumping began on December 9, 2019 and will continue until the water level is lowered by 4 inches.

The permit will allow pumping to occur over a 12-month period, whenever high-water events occur.

Approximately $50,000, which included set-up.

The historical high-water level of the bog is 872.4 feet above sea level.

The temperature sampling was completed in August 2019.  The data is encouraging as bogs are colder than Hampton Lake and the proposed water drainage route would allow for an equalization of the water temperature.  Storm events tend to increase water temperature; however, water traveling through the drainage system and ground water will cool.

No estimate has been prepared yet. Fishbeck plans to meet with the state regulatory agencies first to understand the scope and potential hurdles and to best understand the project and what it may cost. Funds in the amount of $1 million are being recommended for the 2020-2021 Capital Improvement Program (CIP).

Alternative options will be evaluated prior to application submittal for the state permit.

The open water around the golf course should be brought to the same water level as the bogs as a result of the project.

Yes.  However, any proposed new developments would have a stormwater management plan as part of the permitting process to further address the situation.

The definition does not change but the data behind it does.  The new data and models gathered from storm events in recent years were being accounted for when referring to a “100-year storm event”.

Not enough data has been collect to answer this question.  However, water levels are higher than normal in the Greenspire Bog and mature trees are succumbing to the water level.

The proposed permanent should address the flooding issue for surface water.  Groundwater in this area flows south towards Portage Creek.  The groundwater and bog levels should remain at similar levels.  Draining the bog should result in a corresponding decrease in adjoining groundwater.

Different versions of the passive system exist around the state, so the concept is not foreign. The Portage project is a specific design due to the nature of the bogs and there are other passive systems within the city.

The proposed limestone bed will operate as a natural filter and is expected to help mitigate pH concerns.

An easement is needed from the Woodbridge Hills shopping mall and the DNR, but only once EGLE approves the permit.

It is expected that results would be noticeable within a year.

The majority of the research work has been completed and the city’s consultant is hoping for a quick review by the state.  Per the application process, the state has 90 days to provide a response to the proposed project application. Once the application has been approved, an assessment district must be determined and initiated, construction plans must be created and approved by EGLE and the construction project must be bid.  Fishbeck will prepare a construction plan concurrently with the application process in order to allow construction to commence once an approval decision is rendered by EGLE.

After the Storm, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, offers vital Disaster Case Management services to those impacted. This initiative is supported by funding from the Kalamazoo Community Foundation and the United Way of South Central Michigan. 

Residents affected by the tornado are encouraged to contact After the Storm at (517) 855-8077 to connect with a local Disaster Case Manager. Callers can expect a response within two business days to begin the intake process, ensuring they receive the necessary support and guidance.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers assistance to Kalamazoo County homeowners, renters, and businesses affected by the May 7, 2024, tornado.

Types of Available Disaster Loans 

• Business Physical Disaster Loans – Loans to businesses to repair or replace disaster-damaged property owned by the business, including real estate, inventories, supplies, machinery, and equipment. Businesses of any size are eligible. Private, non-profit organizations such as charities, churches, private universities, etc., are also eligible.
• Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) – Working capital loans to help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes meet their ordinary and necessary financial obligations that cannot be met as a direct result of the disaster. These loans are intended to assist through the disaster recovery period.
• Home Disaster Loans – Loans to homeowners or renters to repair or replace disaster-damaged real estate and personal property, including automobiles.

For more information and to apply online visit sba.gov/disaster.  Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for information on SBA disaster assistance. For people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, please dial 7-1-1 to access telecommunications relay services.

The filing deadline to return applications is Sept. 6, 2024, for physical property damage, and April 8, 2025, for economic injury applications.

The Tornado Donation Center, previously located at 9246 Portage Industrial Drive in Portage is permanently closed. 

• To get connected to case management, call After the Storm at (517) 855-0877.
• For household item assistance, visit Twelve Baskets free store at 10332 Portage Road or the Portage Community Center at 325 East Centre Avenue.
• If you need food or baby formula, please call Loaves and Fishes at (269) 488-2617 for assistance. They are located at 901 Portage Street in Kalamazoo.
• For diapers and wipes, please go to St. Luke’s Diaper Bank at 247 W Lovell Street in Kalamazoo, on Mondays from 10 AM to 2 PM, Tuesdays from 9 AM to 12 PM, or Thursdays from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM.
• For assistance with storm damage or debris please contact the City of Portage at (269) 329-4400. 
• For all other needs, please call 211 for assistance.

The State of Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) can help. DIFS provides consumer information and investigates consumer complaints related to insurance, banks, credit unions, mortgages, and other consumer financial products. They work to respond promptly and completely to consumers’ insurance and financial questions and complaints, assist consumers in resolving those complaints whenever possible, and help consumers understand their options.

Visit the DIFS website to learn more and complete an online complaint.

Unfortunately, some individuals and companies exploit disasters to overcharge desperate victims. Price gouging and fraud are illegal! If you suspect such activities, please contact the Consumer Protection Team at the Michigan Attorney General’s office by calling 877-765-8388 or using the online complaint form linked below:

Michigan Attorney General Consumer Complaint Form

The City of Portage Department of Community Development assists homeowners with building plans and permits and can provide you with important information to help you understand the Building Permit and construction process, from application to completion. To get started, visit the Community Development Permits webpage or call (269) 329-4477.

A building permit will be required in the event that you wish to replace more than four sheets of decking (8 x 4) or any structural component during the roofing activity. No permit is required to remove and replace shingles only. 

Most construction projects require a building permit to ensure compliance with the Portage Zoning Code and Michigan Construction Codes. With regard to zoning requirements for one-family residential building projects, please review the One-Family Zoning Regulations (PDF) and the Lakefront Construction Guide on Residential Property (PDF). Before the construction, enlargement, alteration, moving, or demolition of a building or structure, an owner, or the owner's builder, architect, engineer, or agent, shall submit an application for a building permit.

A permit is not required for ordinary repairs or maintenance. Ordinary repairs to structures do not include the cutting away of any wall, partition or portion thereof, the removal or cutting of any structural beam or bearing support, or the removal or change of any required means of egress, or rearrangement of parts of a structure affecting the exit requirements.

For more information or to apply for a Residential Building permit, click this link:  How to Obtain a Residential Building Permit. 

Please call the Department of Public Works at (269) 329-4444 to discuss available options.

Call 2-1-1 for housing assistance.

Portage Community Center
325 East Centre Avenue
Portage, MI. 49002
(269) 323-1942
portagecommunitycenter.org

Twelve Baskets
10332 Portage Road
Portage, MI 49002
(269) 532-4912
twelve-baskets.org

Email janssena@portagemi.gov to register your desire to participate in City of Portage volunteer opportunities.

You may also visit the Michigan Volunteer Registry. Here you can register your willingness to volunteer your time and skills in this emergency. Registering places you under no obligation to volunteer.

Yes. Any company or individual going door-to-door must have an approved solicitor permit. Information and the application for a permit can be found by visiting portagemi.gov/926/PermitsLicenses. 

The Portage Department of Public Safety is one department that reviews solicitor applications. Since they are focused on recovery efforts, the turnaround time for approval of solicitor permits may be longer than the normal five business days.

Portage Parks & Recreation is making every effort to continue programs and events, however, some may be moved to other locations. If you signed up for a program, you will be contacted by Parks & Recreation staff if they are canceled or moved. Any changes will also be communicated through the news media and social media.

Yes, the total fee will be reimbursed if a program is canceled.

There has been damage to a couple of facilities. If the facility or field that you rented is unavailable, you will be contacted by Parks & Recreation staff to assist you in finding other city locations for your event at no additional cost.

Contact Portage Parks & Recreation at (269) 329-4522.

All parks are open during their normal posted times, except Celery Flats which is currently closed for cleanup.

 All trails are open except for the Portage Creek Bicentennial Trail between Celery Flats and Romence Road.

Yes. The Portage Farmers Market will continue to operate on Sundays from 9 AM to 1 PM at the Portage Zhang Senior Center (203 East Centre Avenue). All food assistance programs will be available.