Oregon — State Statute

Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 197 § 197.015 — Definitions for ORS chapters 195, 196, 197 and 197A

Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 197 ·
Oregon Code § 197.015 · Enacted · Last updated March 01, 2026
Statute Text
Definitions for ORS chapters 195, 196, 197 and 197A. As used in ORS chapters 195, 196, 197 and 197A, unless the context requires otherwise: (1) “Acknowledgment” means a commission order that certifies that a comprehensive plan and land use regulations, land use regulation or plan or regulation amendment complies with the goals or certifies that Metro land use planning goals and objectives, Metro regional framework plan, amendments to Metro planning goals and objectives or amendments to the Metro regional framework plan comply with the goals. (2) “Board” means the Land Use Board of Appeals. (3) “Carport” means a stationary structure consisting of a roof with its supports and not more than one wall, or storage cabinet substituting for a wall, and used for sheltering a motor vehicle. (4) “Commission” means the Land Conservation and Development Commission. (5) “Comprehensive plan” means a generalized, coordinated land use map and policy statement of the governing body of a local government that interrelates all functional and natural systems and activities relating to the use of lands, including but not limited to sewer and water systems, transportation systems, educational facilities, recreational facilities, and natural resources and air and water quality management programs. “Comprehensive” means all-inclusive, both in terms of the geographic area covered and functional and natural activities and systems occurring in the area covered by the plan. “General nature” means a summary of policies and proposals in broad categories and does not necessarily indicate specific locations of any area, activity or use. A plan is “coordinated” when the needs of all levels of governments, semipublic and private agencies and the citizens of Oregon have been considered and accommodated as much as possible. “Land” includes water, both surface and subsurface, and the air. (6) “Department” means the Department of Land Conservation and Development. (7) “Director” means the Director of the Department of Land Conservation and Development. (8) “Goals” means the mandatory statewide land use planning standards adopted by the commission pursuant to ORS chapters 195, 196, 197 and 197A. (9) “Guidelines” means suggested approaches designed to aid cities and counties in preparation, adoption and implementation of comprehensive plans in compliance with goals and to aid state agencies and special districts in the preparation, adoption and implementation of plans, programs and regulations in compliance with goals. Guidelines are advisory and do not limit state agencies, cities, counties and special districts to a single approach. (10) “Land use decision”: (a) Includes: (A) A final decision or determination made by a local government or special district that concerns the adoption, amendment or application of: (i) The goals; (ii) A comprehensive plan provision; (iii) A land use regulation; or (iv) A new land use regulation; (B) A final decision or determination of a state agency other than the commission with respect to which the agency is required to apply the goals; (C) A decision of a county planning commission made under ORS 433.763; or (D) An expedited land division under ORS 197A.140; (b) Does not include a decision of a local government: (A) That is made under land use standards that do not require interpretation or the exercise of policy or legal judgment; (B) That approves or denies a building permit issued under clear and objective land use standards; (C) That is a limited land use decision; (D) That determines final engineering design, construction, operation, maintenance, repair or preservation of a transportation facility that is otherwise authorized by and consistent with the comprehensive plan and land use regulations; (E) That approves, pursuant to ORS 480.450 (7), the siting, installation, maintenance or removal of a liquefied petroleum gas container or receptacle regulated exclusively by the State Fire Marshal under ORS 480.410 to 480.460; (F) That approves or denies approval of a final subdivision or partition plat or that determines whether a final subdivision or partition plat substantially conforms to the tentative subdivision or partition plan; or (G) That a proposed state agency action subject to ORS 197.180 (1) is compatible with the acknowledged comprehensive plan and land use regulations implementing the plan, if: (i) The local government has already made a land use decision authorizing a use or activity that encompasses the proposed state agency action; (ii) The use or activity that would be authorized, funded or undertaken by the proposed state agency action is allowed without review under the acknowledged comprehensive plan and land use regulations implementing the plan; or (iii) The use or activity that would be authorized, funded or undertaken by the proposed state agency action requires a future land use review under the acknowledged comprehe
Plain English Explanation
This Oregon statute addresses Definitions for ORS chapters 195, 196, 197 and 197A. AI-powered analysis coming soon.
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This section of Oregon law addresses Definitions for ORS chapters 195, 196, 197 and 197A. Read the full statute text above for details.
This page reflects the current text as of our last update. Always verify with the official Oregon legislature website for the most current version.
The formal citation is Oregon Code § 197.015. Use this format in legal documents and court filings.
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