Chapter 25: Land Use and Development

Oregon is unique, regulating land use by creating a mandatory framework for land-use planning that is subject to review by the state. The purpose of Oregon’s land use laws has been to preserve farms and forestland and to encourage cities to be dense.

Compared to other states, Oregon's land use process is more centralized.  In Oregon, one board (the Land Conservation and Development Commission) and one state agency (the Department of Land Conservation and Development) guide, review, and monitor land use planning throughout the state according to statute and rule. Yet, at its essence, land use is primarily a function of local governments deciding how to develop land with input from its citizens.

This chapter will discuss the brief history of Oregon’s land use regulations, local land use regulations, local government land use actions and appeals from land use actions. 

Topics Include:

  • Brief History of Land Use in Oregon
  • Local Land Use
    • ​​​​​​​Comprehensive Plan
    • Development Code
  • Typical Land Use Actions
    • ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Building Permits
    • Land Divisions
    • Zone Change
    • Conditional Use Permits
    • Variance
  • Nature of Land Use Decisions
    • ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Legislative Decisions
    • Quasi-Judicial Decisions
  • Appeals
    • ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Administrative Review (LUBA)
    • Judicial Review
  • Other Issues
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