Amazon has applied to deliver packages by drone in Portland by early 2027.
The company filed a pre-application conference request with Portland's permitting department to build a Prime Air Drone Delivery Center at its fulfillment center at 1001 N. Schmeer Road in North Portland, KGW News reported Thursday, Sept. 17, citing the Portland Business Journal.
The filing is a first for Portland. The city would join a drone delivery program already operating in seven states: Arizona, Florida, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Nebraska and Texas.
Amazon spokesperson Farah Jad said in a statement to the Portland Business Journal that the company is "currently working with local officials and exploring opportunities to expand our fast, reliable drone delivery service to reach customers in Portland."
How it works
Prime Air uses Amazon's MK30 drone to deliver items weighing five pounds or less, including cosmetics, certain tech and medications.
Orders arrive in as little as 30 minutes and no longer than an hour, according to the KGW report.
Each Prime Air site covers roughly 175 square miles, according to Amazon's expansion announcement published Aug. 19. Prime members get free drone delivery on orders of $50 or more. Orders under $50 cost $2.99 for members and $4.99 for non-members.
According to Amazon's expansion page, more than 60% of items customers most frequently purchase qualify for drone delivery.
Broader Portland push
The drone center is part of a wider Amazon expansion in Portland. Public records filed in August 2026 show the company leased two warehouse spaces for its 30-minute ground delivery service, Amazon
Now: one at 4444 S.E. 27th Ave. and a second at 2405 N. Albina Ave.
Nationally, Amazon said it plans to reach nearly 500 U.S. cities and towns with Prime Air by the end of 2026.
Portland is not among the cities listed as launching next on Amazon's website, which names Chicago, Syracuse, Cleveland, Atlanta and Boise. The pre-application filing puts Portland at an earlier stage in the process.
What comes next
The pre-application conference is the first step in Portland's permitting process. No hearing date or permit decision timeline has been announced. No public response from Portland's Bureau of Development Services or neighborhood groups appeared in available records as of Sept. 18.
