Did you receive a notice of public hearing about a possible project in your neighborhood? Or perhaps you’ve seen signage about a public hearing posted on a property lot nearby. What is a notice of public hearing, and should you get involved? A Notice of Public Hearing should be addressed with a level of seriousness […]
Thoughts
Can I Camp on my Rural Property in Oregon?
Southern Oregon is abundant with rural properties: some wooded, some flat and open, and some with natural or man-made ponds. Oregonians enjoy many freedoms that come with owning acres of rural property with nary a neighbor in sight. With so many beautiful properties in the state, a popular question many landowners ask us is, “Can […]
Fuelbreak Laws in Oregon
Are you planning to build a home on rural property? Depending on the setting, local zoning laws and regulations could impact where you can place structures on the land. Fuelbreak laws in Oregon impact rural property owners and are designed to protect property against the dangers of wildfires. If you’re planning to build on land […]
Riparian Areas and Land Use Planning
Statewide land use planning goals and regulations are intended to help protect our natural resources and allocate sufficient room for population growth and community development. These laws strive to create a balance between conservation and expansion. In Oregon, our residents enjoy beautiful and diverse environments, from majestic mountainscapes to coastal beaches and desert plains. Regardless […]
Can You Build a Shop in Your Backyard in Oregon?
Homeowners in Oregon have many good questions about what they can do with their property. One of the reasons people choose to buy a rural property or move to older neighborhoods with larger lots is because they want room for hobbies or work-from-home activities. Adding an external, free-standing building to your property can give you […]
Urban Growth Boundary Information for Oregon Development
The ability to build a structure or develop a parcel of property is constrained by zoning laws, but it is also limited by a city’s urban growth boundary. In recent years, urban growth boundaries have become scrutinized as more regions suffer housing shortages (and consequently higher home and rent costs). What is the urban growth […]
Considering Opening an Air B&B in Southern Oregon?
Many tourists flock to Southern Oregon every year. Our region is filled with outdoor activities to fulfill many interests, from hiking to skiing and whitewater rafting. With nearly 200 days of sunshine each year, there’s plenty of time for visitors to spend their days enjoying nature. For those preferring something a bit more relaxed, our […]
Do You Need a Permit to Build a Driveway?
It’s commonly known that building a home requires a bevy of permits and approvals, starting with the initial blueprints and down to the last electrical work. However, many new property owners might not be aware that building a driveway also often requires a permit. If you’re purchasing an undeveloped parcel of land, it’s a good […]
Oregon’s Forestland Program
Forestry remains one of the largest industries in Oregon. Our state is the largest softwood lumber producer in the United States. Forests cover nearly 50% of Oregon’s land, and about half of that is managed as national forest zones. Forestland in Oregon is defined by statute and includes 19 western counties: Benton, Clackamas, Clatsop, Columbia, […]
Oregon Land Use Regulations for Wineries
Southern Oregon is home to many wonderful industries, but some of the characteristics that make the land so unique are the climate and fertile soil. Because of those aspects, our lands are full of potential for farming, and one of the fastest growing industries in our area is producing wine. Best of all, land in […]