Zoning Laws

Mark Twain said, “Buy land; they’re not making it anymore.”  While thankfully, there is plenty of land in Oregon for us to enjoy, Twain is absolutely right.  Land is one thing there will never be more of, so owning a substantial parcel of property is valuable.  Yet, if you’re not planning to use the land […]

When you think of land-use planning, you probably don’t think of city ordinances that control issues like outside burning and backyard livestock.  Yet understanding the city ordinances that apply to these situations may be important to you when choosing a place to live.  They regulate what you can do with your property and, likewise, what […]

One of the many types of zoning policies is inclusionary zoning.  The purpose of inclusionary zoning is to encourage real estate developers to build more units appropriately priced for low and moderate-income people and families.  In most communities, this is known as “affordable housing.”  Throughout the United States, providing more affordable housing has become a […]

Communities throughout Oregon develop specific land use regulations to best meet the needs of their areas.  These plans and accompanying rules are created through a process that involves collecting data, community member feedback, long-range forecasting, and decision-making.  By developing a strategic vision for a community, planning commission members can set goals that inform proper rules […]