General Information: 503-823-4000
E-mail: cityinfo@portlandoregon.gov
1221 SW 4th Avenue, Room 110, Portland, OR 97204
Fog Sealing FAQ
How will I know when work is to begin?
What about my trees and plants near the street?
Can I water my lawn or wash the car?
What if I get fog seal on my car or clothing?
How will I know when the work is completed?
What is fog seal?
Fog seal is a coating of asphalt emulsion (asphalt mixed with water), recycled rubber tires and grit blended locally in Portland. It protects your street from oxidation and extends the life of the pavement, binding to the road surface as it dries and leaving a tough film.
How is fog seal applied?
Fog seal is applied with a sprayer during dry and warm weather. The morning of the fog seal application, crews will clear the street and clean and prepare the road surface. During the fog seal application and until the material dries, all vehicles, bicyclists, and pedestrians should keep off the road surface; in addition, adjacent property owners should keep pets off the surface during this period.
Your street and several nearby are in basically sound condition but need routine maintenance to protect them from oxidation and weathering. Fog seal helps prevent water from saturating the surface and damaging the pavement and road base.
How will I know when work is to begin?
You will receive a door hanger a few days ahead of the fog seal application. Temporary "No Parking" barricades stating the days/hours of work will be placed on your street 1 to 3 days prior to the beginning of the fog seal application. What if it rains? Fog seal must take place under dry conditions; rainy or damp weather can cause delays and can prevent us from providing an exact start date. In the event of rain, the work will be postponed and City crews will return to the site when dry conditions prevail.
What about my car?
Temporary "No Parking" barricades will be posted in advance to mark work areas. Please comply with all "No Parking" signs. Vehicles remaining on the street during the hours indicated on the signs may be towed at the owner's expense. If your vehicle is towed, contact Portland Police Auto Records at 503-823-0044 after 10:30 a.m. to retrieve your vehicle.
What about my trees and plants near the street?
Please trim your trees and other vegetation that overhang the curb, preferably well in advance of the work. This will help prevent damage to the trees, City equipment and personnel while the work is underway. City Code requires property owners to trim and maintain trees and vegetation to allow a clearance from the curb to 11 feet high on local streets and 14 feet on arterial streets. For more information regarding trees in the public right-of-way, contact the Portland Park Bureau's Urban Forestry Division at 503-823-4489.
Can I water my lawn or wash the car?
Do not water lawns, wash cars or engage in other activity that will allow water to run off into the street at least a) 24 hours before the fog seal is applied and b) 12 hours after the work has been completed.
How long does it take to dry?
On a warm day, fog seal takes approximately 6 to 8 hours to dry; on a cool day or in the shade, the dry time may be longer.
What if I get fog seal on my car or clothing?
When first applied, fog seal is wet and sticky. If you do get the material on something, wash it off immediately with soap and water. If it has dried, try using a spot/stain remover that will remove tar or other oil-based stains.
How will I know when the work is completed?
City crews will reopen the street to traffic and parking when the fog seal has dried completely. Crews may open certain street segments that have dried to allow vehicles back onto the street, but will have cones set up on areas that are still wet; these coned areas should be avoided until the fog seal is completely dry and crews remove the cones.
How will my street look?
Fog seal looks black and wet when it is first applied, and dries to a black matte finish.
Title VI Civil Rights The Portland Bureau of Transportation fully complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the ADA Title II, and related statutes and regulations in all programs and activities. For accommodations and additional information, contact the Title II and Title VI Coordinator at Room 1204, 1120 SW 5th Avenue, Portland, OR 97204, or by telephone at 503-823-5185, City TTY 503-823-6868, or use Oregon Relay Service: 711.