Frequently Asked Questions

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Yes. Although wind power is affordable, it still costs slightly more than electricity produced by fossil fuels. However, when you think about the hidden costs of global warming, you can see that wind and other forms of green energy are a real bargain!

If you recycle or buy environmentally friendly products, you may want to consider participating in this program, as a way to expand your involvement in environmental-related activities. Much as your support for recycling has actually spurred growth in commercial use of recycled materials, your purchase of green energy will ensure development of more green energy options.

We received requests from customers for renewable energy. In response, this program was developed to enable customers to support, purchase, and participate in adding renewable energy to the Forest Grove energy mix. 

Though the wind power you buy does not go directly to your home or business, it will reduce the amount of fossil fuels that must be burned to make electricity. By purchasing Pure Power, you are specifying your preferred choice of energy production.

No. Your power will continue uninterrupted.

Wind power is currently generated by large wind turbines located in Eastern Oregon and Washington.

Renewable resources or green energy is electricity produced in an environmentally friendly manner. Sources of green energy include the sun, wind, biogas, geothermal and hydro (water). Unlike fossil fuels, green energy is not processed, harmful or depletable. Forest Grove Light and Power offers green power generated by wind turbines located in eastern Oregon and Washington.

The program offers customers the opportunity to support the addition of renewable energy like clean wind generated electricity to the Forest Grove energy resource mix

Electricity generated by wind power will be fed into the overall power supply and transmitted to your home the same way that we deliver your power now. You will not need any additional equipment, nor notice any difference in the electricity you use in your home.

Although wind power is very affordable, it still costs slightly more than electricity produced by fossil fuels. Forest Grove Light and Power customers have the opportunity to purchase green power in monthly blocks of 200 kilowatt hours. Each 200 KWH block costs $4 per month, which will be added to your electric bill. Each customer may purchase as many $4 blocks as they want. (For reference, the average household uses around 1100 KWH per month.)

Yes. All pools are ADA accessible, with motorized lifts on the main and activity pools. We also have two family changing rooms available for your use.

Our senior discount age is 65 years.

Children must be 10 years old or accompanied by an adult 16 yrs. or older at all times supervising in the pool that the child will be swimming in. The required adult to child ratio is 1 to 2.

Yes, we do not provide towels.

Yes. Our front desk staff will make every effort to help locate your missing item. The F.G.A.C. is not responsible for lost or stolen items.

We do not offer financial assistance, but we do offer discounted rates for senior citizens and veterans.

We offer swim lessons year round. Please visit Civic Rec for registration 

Visit our lesson section for more information.

Residency of Forest grove is based upon your household’s address. If your household address is within the City limits, it is considered “In City”. Elsewhere is considered “Out of City”. Note: some households that have a Forest Grove address are not within the City limits.

If you know the skills of the swimmer registering, our staff can help you figure out which level would be most appropriate for them. Beginning swimmers generally start at Level 1. Visit our Swim Lessons Descriptions page for further information about each class level. During most public swims there are staff available to evaluate your child’s swim skills.

• Parent Tot: 10
• Preschool  Lessons: 6
• School Age Level 1 and 2: 6
• School Age Level 3, 4, 5 and 6: 8

Each session consists of 10 lessons. Lessons are offered twice per week for a five week period. Each lesson is 30 minutes. During the summer months we also offer two week daily sessions in the morning.

Yes. We accept Apple Pay, Cash, Check and Credit Cards.

Our facility is available to rent for private parties and gatherings.  Please see our information under "Pool Rentals" for complete details.

Please visit our homepage for additional information. If you cannot find the information you’re looking for please call us at 503-992-3238.

All persons using the hot tub, pools or sauna must wear a swimsuit. Cotton t-shirts, denim shorts, cut-offs, tank tops and undergarments are not allowed in the pools, hot tub, or sauna

We offer a large multi-use main pool with a slide and diving board, warm water pool, hot tub, sauna and outside spray park.

We only allow Coast Guard approved lifejackets. Please be sure to verify that your jacket has the Coast Guard information printed on the inside. We do not loan out lifejackets. Water wings, inflatable tubes or swimsuits with integrated flotation devices (whether sewn in or not) and similar devices are not allowed.

• Toys that are allowed: diving rings, small foam balls and other small toys that cannot be used as flotation devices
• Toys that are not allowed: noodles, mats, water wings, footballs, large beach balls or any other large inflatable toy

The spray park is open (weather permitting) mid spring through late fall.

A complaint is any accusation or allegation that, if true, will adversely affect the Department's efficiency and its relationship with you, the public.

Any person who has witnessed an incident or has direct well-founded knowledge about an incident may make a complaint.

You may call 503-992-3260 or email the Police Department and have a complaint form mailed to you or you may pick up a complaint form Monday through Friday between 8 am and 4 pm at the Forest Grove Police Department located at 2102 Pacific Avenue, Forest Grove, OR 97116.

You can also download a copy of the complaint form (PDF) to print and return to the department, either in person, via email, or through the mail at:
Forest Grove Police Department
Attn: Records
2102 Pacific Avenue
Forest Grove, OR 97116

Please contact the Police Department through the relevant phone/fax number:

• Emergency: 911
• Non-Emergency Dispatch: 503-629-0111
• Records/Business Office:503-992-3260
• Fax: 503-359-3519

The Forest Grove Police Department is located on the corner of Pacific Avenue and Ash Street; Right next door to the City Library and across from Pacific University.

Physical Address:
2102 Pacific Avenue
Forest Grove, OR 97116

Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 326
Forest Grove, OR 97116

The Forest Grove Police Records Division is open Monday through Friday from 8 am to 4 pm. The Records Division is closed on Saturday, Sunday, and all legal holidays.

Sergeant Andrew Colasurdo serves as the Department's Public Information Officer and Media Liaison. Email Andrew Colasurdo or call him at 503-992-3260.

Our Community Outreach Specialist coordinates all outreach activities, including Neighborhood Watch, National Night Out, Coffee with a Cop, and other events. Email the Community Outreach Specialist or call her at 503-992-3104.

Yes. The Police Department utilizes social media as a means to inform the public of news, events, and other police activity. You can follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Nextdoor.

The Police Department is currently hiring lateral officers.

Please also check the City of Forest Grove's Government Jobs website for career opportunities with the Police Department.

All reports must be made through Washington County Dispatch at 503-629-0111 - this can be done from your own phone, or can be done at the FGPD lobby. An officer will follow up with you.

The Records staff provides copies of reports as required in accordance with the Oregon Public Records Laws. Copies of reports may be requested by submitting a written request, or by coming into the Police Station. A report copy fee will be charged. Report requests may take up to 7 business days to process.

See the Records Requests, and Fees page for more information on Records Requests.

See the City's Fee Schedule page for a full list of fees.

Accident reports are handled through the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). You can obtain a hard copy of the correct form in our lobby, or visit the DMV online. 

No. The Washington County Sheriff's Office offers fingerprinting services. See the Washington County Sheriff's Office for more information.

Please refer to your citation; the cost will be listed.

Please refer to the bottom of your citation. Confirm which box is marked:

1. Forest Grove Municipal Court
   1924 Council Street
   Forest Grove, OR 97116
2. Washington County Circuit Court
   145 NE Second Avenue
   Hillsboro, OR 97124

The Records Division offers registration services from 9 am to 3:30 pm, Monday through Friday. For additional information please call 503-992-3260.

Information about the Police Department's Use of Force and other policies can be found through our Policies page.

Yes. Patrol officers wear an audio/video recorder. You can learn more about our audio/video recording policy on our Audio and Video Recording Policy page.

The Forest Grove Police Department hosts an annual Drug Takeback Day each spring, typically on the last Saturday in April. 

The FGPD has a secure, anonymous drop box inside our station lobby. The box is available Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Due to space limitations, we ask that individuals limit drop box items to  no more than 12. We cannot accept sharps, inhalers, or liquids. 

Your complaints and criticisms are accepted as meaningful indications of the job we are doing and provide us with the information to serve you better. Please follow the Citizen Complaint Procedure. You can also learn more about the FGPD's policy regarding personnel complaints by seeing our Personnel Complaints Policy page.

If you've had a positive experience with the Forest Grove Police Department, we'd love to hear about it. Please use one of the methods listed on our staff commendation page.

We also welcome feedback on social media! Leave us a rating and a comment on Facebook!

To see if a lost item has been turned in to the Department, please contact our Evidence Division at 503-992-3314 during normal business hours.

Contact the Evidence Specialist at 503-992-3314 during normal business hours and schedule an appointment to retrieve your items. Please bring a photo identification.

The Records Unit provides vehicle releases for vehicles that have been impounded. All vehicle releases require vehicle proof of ownership (registration in owners name) signed over titles will not be accepted, proof of insurance, picture ID, and valid driver's license. A fee will be charged for a vehicle release.

Email our Community Outreach Specialist or visit our Community Outreach page for information on starting or growing a Watch program. 

We post upcoming events on our What's New at FGPD page, including Coffee with a Cop, Chill with the Chief, and other events.

National Night Out is typically held on the first Tuesday of August.

We do offer station to the public throughout the year. For a private tour, please contact 503-992-3260 or email FGPD@forestgrove-or.gov

Currently, we only offer ride-alongs to individuals who participate in the Community Police Academy or are part of the police officer hiring process.

The Police Department utilizes volunteers for events such as National Night Out or First Wednesday, however, volunteers must be current or past participants of the Community Academy to be eligible to volunteer. We do not offer volunteer positions within our Records or Patrol Divisions.

The Forest Grove Police Department does not accept donations of blankets, sleeping bags, clothes, non-perishable food, cell phones, or toys, including stuffed animals. 

Please reach out to local resources such as GG's House, Taste & See Local, or the Forest Grove School District for ways to donate these sorts of items.

The FGPD does, however, accept new and gently used winter coats during the annual Winter Coat Drive in the fall. We do not accept coats at any other time. For donations the rest of the year, please contact one of the local clothing closets or GG's House. 

The FGPD also accepts diapers for children and adults during the annual diaper drive in April. 

Flags that are worn out or damaged can be properly disposed of at:

• American Legion, located at 21^st Ave / Main St, has a drop off box by their front door.
• Ace Hardware, located at 3602 Pacific Ave, has a drop off box by the desk where they create keys.

The 2026 Community Police Academy will begin February 4 and run every Wednesday* from 6-9 p.m. through April 8th. 

No class will be held on March 25 due to spring break. 

Registration for Community Academy begins November 15, 2025.

The Forest Grove Police Department hosts an annual Drug Takeback Day each spring, typically on the last Saturday in April. 

The FGPD has a secure, anonymous drop box inside our station lobby. The box is available Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Due to space limitations, we ask that individuals limit drop box items to  no more than 12. We cannot accept sharps, inhalers, or liquids. 

For sharps disposal, please visit Metro's hazardous products website.

Sharps may also be disposed at Centro Cultural in Cornelius on the last Saturday of the month, February through October, from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.  

.Yes. Code Enforcement regulates parking within city limits, including the timed parking areas downtown as well as vehicles on public roads parked for excessive periods of time. To learn more about parking regulations, see our Parking and Citations page.

.Contact Code Enforcement at 503-992-3260 to report the graffiti. Our Code Enforcement Officer will take care of the rest.

Visit our Noise page for more information on animal and other noise nuisances.

Yes. Domesticated Fowl (chickens, quail, pheasants, and ducks) are allowed in single-family residences primarily for personal use. Domesticated fowl are allowed subject to conditions in the City Code. See our Ordinance Page for more information. 

During the school year curfew hours are the following, depending on the age of the juvenile:

• Under age 14:
  • Sunday through Thursday
    9:15 pm to 6 am
  • Friday and Saturday
    10:15 pm to 6 am
• 14 and Older
  • Sunday through Thursday
    10:15 pm to 6 am
  • Friday and Saturday
    11:59 pm to 6 am

During the non-school year:

• Under 14
  • 10:15 pm to 6 am
• 14 and Older
  • 11:59 pm to 6 am

See the Washington County Curfew Calendar (PDF) for more information.

Complete the City of Forest Grove Temporary Street Closure Permit Application (PDF) at least 14 days prior to the request and submit to the Police Department. The permit fee is set by resolution. A permit is required for local and residential city street closures. Requests for major street closures will be directed to the City Manager for final review and approval. Please indicate if barricades will be required. Applicants of a Temporary Street Closure are expected to notify all residents and businesses impacted by the closure in advance of the request.

Complete the City of Forest Grove Event Permit Application (PDF) at least 14 days prior to the event and submit it to the Police Department.  There is no permit fee for parades and/or processions-related events; however, if municipal services, such as police and fire personnel are requested, costs incurred by the City may be assessed.  A permit is required for parades and/or processions of 25 or more persons, including animals and vehicles. 

Typical Adopt-a-Park volunteer tasks include the following:

• Removing litter
• Pulling weeds
• Removing invasive plants
• Spreading bark dust
• Planting flowers
• Reporting safety hazards and graffiti

Adopters agree to serve at regular intervals at their adopted site. Some parks or green spaces involve monthly volunteer service; others require less-frequent service (e.g., quarterly service).

Parks and Recreation provides trash bags and gloves. Currently the department can also provide tools such as shovels, rakes, etc. for as many as six people. Larger-sized groups can be discussed.

Adoptable parks and green spaces currently include Fernhill Wetlands, Thatcher Park, Forest Glen Park, Reuter Farms green space, Knox Ridge Park, the entrance to Forest Gale Heights, and city-maintained land by the "Welcome to Forest Grove" signs at the north and east entrances to Forest Grove.

Complete an Adopt-a-Park Application (PDF) and return it to the Volunteer Coordinator, 1924 Council Street, P.O. Box 326, Forest Grove, OR 97116 or email it to the Coordinator.  The Volunteer Coordinator will contact you about available openings.  If there is an opening that matches your schedule and interests, the Volunteer Coordinator will schedule a meeting with you to go over program details.

Organizations, businesses, families, and individuals can adopt a park or green space. The City thanks them for their time and talents!

• Give back to the community
• Protect wildlife and habitat
• Complete school or club requirements for volunteer service hours
• Get outdoor exercise
• Ensure safe, clean parks for all residents to enjoy
• Meet new people
• Have fun!

Please email Melissa Williams, Administrative Specialist II at mwilliams@forestgrove-or.gov, or call the Parks & Recreation main office at 503.992.3238.

There are lots of opportunities to learn and grow with the Sister Cities Committee. Volunteers are always needed to serve on the committee, to help with delegation visits, student exchanges, offer tours of Forest Grove, host a student or adult delegate, offer transportation during delegation visits, and to just learn more about the friendship Forest Grove has with Nyuzen.

Consider making a donation! Even the smallest contributions have a significant impact in helping us ensure the continued success of our sister cities student exchange program! The Sister Cities Committee is a community-based organization, working under the Forest Grove Chamber of Commerce, to foster international community involvement and people-to-people relationships between the City of Forest Grove and the Town of Nyuzen, Japan. The primary program is a student exchange program with Forest Grove's Sister City, Nyuzen, Japan.

Download the Donation Form (PDF).

To learn more about the Sister Cities Committee or becoming a member of the Sister Cities Committee, please email Nicole Nowlin, Sister Cities Committee President.

The Committee encourages the people of other nations to learn about American history, culture, and aspirations. The program is a two-way, encouraging Forest Grove citizens to learn about other nations, utilizing exchanges of information and activities between sister cities in all aspects of contemporary life. Programs have included letter-writing exchanges between students in Forest Grove and Nyuzen. Gifts, locally-made products, and community information exchanged with Nyuzen have been placed on display in the Community Auditorium, Chamber of Commerce, and Forest Grove Library. The tulips you see blooming around springtime in Forest Grove are gifts from Nyuzen, which have been planted by the Forest Grove Parks and Recreation Department. In addition, intercultural communication programs featuring Japan and China have been provided to local groups using the outstanding resources of Pacific University's Intercultural Institute and Forest Grove School District. Since 1988, the City of Forest Grove has sent a delegation every other year to Nyuzen under the guidance and leadership of the Mayor. Nyuzen reciprocates, sending a delegation every other year opposite of Forest Grove. Nyuzen also sends a student delegation every year. In addition to official meetings and receptions, the delegates visit important cultural and historical sites. The delegates pay their own visit expenses and are hosted in private homes. The Committee is always looking for homestay families to sponsor a delegate from Nyuzen - this is definitely once-in-a-lifetime international culture experience.

When an article or material is being deposited on any street. If the article or material is being delivered does not obstruct traffic or the vision of motor vehicle drivers, and does not remain on the street for more than three hours, no permit is required.

Please note, that articles or materials placed in your driveway or on your private property do not require a permit or permission from the City. The City encourages citizens to have drop boxes placed on private property, rather than in the public right-of-way.

Yes, the fee is set forth by Council resolution.

Yes, see below:

• Permit holders shall provide adequate safeguards, railing, lights, and markers to warn persons passing by.
• No deposit permit shall be effective for longer than 72 hours.

See City Code, Section 151.046, Deposit on Streets.

An Excavation Permit is required for any work within the public right-of-way or easement that involves excavation, including the installation of concrete drive approaches or sidewalks, and connection to or construction of public facilities.

Yes, the fee is set forth by Council resolution.

Prior to beginning work within the public right-of-way or easement, the following items shall be submitted by the developer or contractor to the Engineering Department (contractors working on concrete drive approaches and/or sidewalks only need to complete Item 5):

1. Improvement Plans for review by this office.
2. One-Year Performance Bond - equal to the amount of construction improvements within the right-of-way, as estimated by this office, but not less than $5,000. The one-year surety starts after work covered by permit is accepted. (City Code, Section 151.049)
3. Public Liability Insurance, naming City as additional insured, for not less than $100,000 for injuries to any one person, including accidental death and not less than $300,000 for any one accident.
4. Property Damage Insurance, naming City as additional insured, for not less than $100,000.
5. Right-of-Way Permit Application and paid fee. Completed applications can be submitted electronically, by email to the Engineering Office.

See City Code, Section 151.047, Street Excavation.

Garage Sale signs, For Sale/Lease signs, Open House signs, etc. are considered temporary signs.

No.

Yes, review the following:

During the Time of a Garage Sale

• 1 sign at sale location
• Up to 2 other signs for directional use or advertising
• Signs are not to exceed 4 square feet in area
• Signs are allowed from 6 am. Friday to 6 pm. Sunday and must be removed promptly

See City Code, Section 90.03(B)(8)(b)

During the Time of Sale, Lease, or Rental of a Lot or Structure

• Up to 2 signs allowed anywhere in a residential, commercial, or industrial zone
• Signs are not to exceed 6 square feet in size and 30" in height
• Signs are allowed from 6 am. Friday to 6 pm. Sunday and must be removed promptly

See City Code, Section 90.03(B)(8)(c)

Additional Regulations

1. Under no circumstance, are signs to be affixed to any City facilities, such as fire hydrants, traffic control devices, light or utility poles, street trees, etc.
2. Signs that fail to comply with the regulations set forth in City Code, Section 90.03, will be subject to immediate removal and disposal without further notice.

There is no definite answer to this question. ILLs generally take 2 to 6 weeks to arrive. However, they may arrive sooner or later. If the material you need is time sensitive, Interlibrary Loan may not be the best option.

The loan period is determined by the lending library. Typical due dates range from one week to two months. Renewals can be requested for most materials. (See the next section for information on how to renew your ILL.)

A lending library can request the immediate return of its material at any time.

Please request a renewal 3 days before your due date.

Renewals are not guaranteed. We do not know if a renewal will be granted or denied until after it is requested. Be prepared to return the item on short notice. ILL items cannot be renewed from your online account. To renew, do one of the following:

• Submit a request to renew online
• Email the ILL Staff
• Ask a staff member in the library

• Check your account online. A request with the status Received is available for pickup.
• Email the ILL Staff
• Call the ILL office: 503-992-279

You can borrow books, DVDs, Blu-rays, VHS tapes, CDs, microfilm, musical scores, vinyl and newspaper or journal articles. We cannot borrow console video games (Wii, PlayStation, Xbox, etc.).

It is also not possible to borrow items owned by WCCLS unless the item is in in-repair, lost, missing, unavailable or withdrawn status for two or more weeks.

It is not possible to borrow items published within the last six months. However, you can submit a Purchase Suggestion instead.

There is a county wide limit of 5 active ILL requests. Requests in returned or received status do not count toward the limit.

Your account must be in good standing to request an item by ILL (fines under $19.99, no long overdue items).

It is not possible to borrow items published within the last six months. However, you can submit a Purchase Suggestion instead.

If the request shows as “active” on your account there is a good chance the item is already in-transit to our library. For this reason, we ask that you be sure you want the requested item and can allow 2 to 6 weeks for its arrival.

If you must cancel a request, please contact the ILL office by phone (503) 992-3279 or by email. Please do not cancel requests on your online account.

Hold requests are manually added to accounts by staff. At most it will take one week for the hold request to show on your account.

Please return items only to the library from which they were borrowed. 

Adding notes or comments regarding your request can get you what you want, sooner. Some helpful information includes whether you are looking for a specific edition, or if any edition will work. If you are requesting genealogy material add the names and dates of the entries in which you are interested. For article requests from magazines or journals provide a citation as complete as possible.

Interlibrary Loan relies on the generosity of lending libraries. Returning or requesting renewals by the due date is therefore essential. If an ILL is overdue, $100.01 will be charged to the borrower’s account. If the item is returned promptly in the same condition in which it was checked out, the charge can be waived. If the item is not returned, the borrower is responsible for paying replacement and processing fees charged by the lender. This may be less or more than the $100.01 placeholder fee.