City Incorporation

Incorporation gives residents greater control over local affairs and provides a financing and delivery device for urban services. If an area needs a broad range of services, or if citizens in an area believe that the provision of one service will precipitate the need for others, consideration should be given to becoming a city. In addition to providing a device for delivering and financing public services, a major function for a city is to provide a means of broad local self-government that is not available through special service districts.

Oregon cities are general purpose governments with broad powers. With a few exceptions (the major one being land use planning) there are no requirements that cities provide specific services. A city is a vehicle for local determination of the level and type of public services and regulation. However, if some services such as water, sewer, police and building inspection are chosen, state and federal standards apply. Also, if a city is in a county of more than 100,000 population and wishes to receive state shared revenues after its third year of
existence, it must provide directly or by contract four “urban” services. These services include: police protection; fire protection; street construction, maintenance and lighting; sanitary sewers; storm sewers; planning, zoning and subdivision control; and one or more utility services.

LOC has prepared a guide to help residents of unincorporated areas who may want to become a city.