Oregon Code § 197.445·Enacted ·Last updated March 01, 2026
Statute Text
Destination resort criteria; phase-in requirements; annual accounting.
A destination resort is a
self-contained development that provides for visitor-oriented accommodations
and developed recreational facilities in a setting with high natural amenities.
To qualify as a destination resort under ORS 30.947, 197.435 to 197.467,
215.213, 215.283 and 215.284, a proposed development must meet the following
standards:
(1) The resort
must be located on a site of 160 acres or more except within two miles of the
ocean shoreline where the site shall be 40 acres or more.
(2) At least 50
percent of the site must be dedicated to permanent open space, excluding
streets and parking areas.
(3) At least $7
million must be spent on improvements for on-site developed recreational
facilities and visitor-oriented accommodations exclusive of costs for land,
sewer and water facilities and roads. Not less than one-third of this amount
must be spent on developed recreational facilities.
(4)
Visitor-oriented accommodations including meeting rooms, restaurants with
seating for 100 persons and 150 separate rentable units for overnight lodging
shall be provided. However, the rentable overnight lodging units may be phased
in as follows:
(a) On lands not
described in paragraph (b) of this subsection:
(A) A total of
150 units of overnight lodging must be provided.
(B) At least 75
units of overnight lodging, not including any individually owned homes, lots or
units, must be constructed or guaranteed through surety bonding or equivalent
financial assurance prior to the closure of sale of individual lots or units.
(C) The remaining
overnight lodging units must be provided as individually owned lots or units
subject to deed restrictions that limit their use to use as overnight lodging
units. The deed restrictions may be rescinded when the resort has constructed
150 units of permanent overnight lodging as required by this subsection.
(D) The number of
units approved for residential sale may not be more than two units for each
unit of permanent overnight lodging provided under this paragraph.
(E) The
development approval must provide for the construction of other required
overnight lodging units within five years of the initial lot sales.
(b) On lands in
eastern Oregon, as defined in ORS 321.805:
(A) A total of
150 units of overnight lodging must be provided.
(B) At least 50
units of overnight lodging must be constructed prior to the closure of sale of
individual lots or units.
(C) At least 50
of the remaining 100 required overnight lodging units must be constructed or
guaranteed through surety bonding or equivalent financial assurance within five
years of the initial lot sales.
(D) The remaining
required overnight lodging units must be constructed or guaranteed through
surety bonding or equivalent financial assurances within 10 years of the
initial lot sales.
(E) The number of
units approved for residential sale may not be more than 2-1/2 units for each
unit of permanent overnight lodging provided under this paragraph.
(F) If the
developer of a resort guarantees the overnight lodging units required under
subparagraphs (C) and (D) of this paragraph through surety bonding or other
equivalent financial assurance, the overnight lodging units must be constructed
within four years of the date of execution of the surety bond or other
equivalent financial assurance.
(5) Commercial
uses allowed are limited to types and levels of use necessary to meet the needs
of visitors to the development. Industrial uses of any kind are not permitted.
(6) In lieu of
the standards in subsections (1), (3) and (4) of this section, the standards
set forth in subsection (7) of this section apply to a destination resort:
(a) On land that
is not defined as agricultural or forest land under any statewide planning
goal;
(b) On land where
there has been an exception to any statewide planning goal on agricultural
lands, forestlands, public facilities and services and urbanization; or
(c) On such
secondary lands as the Land Conservation and Development Commission deems
appropriate.
(7) The following
standards apply to the provisions of subsection (6) of this section:
(a) The resort
must be located on a site of 20 acres or more.
(b) At least $2
million must be spent on improvements for on-site developed recreational
facilities and visitor-oriented accommodations exclusive of costs for land,
sewer and water facilities and roads. Not less than one-third of this amount
must be spent on developed recreational facilities.
(c) At least 25
units, but not more than 75 units, of overnight lodging must be provided.
(d) Restaurant
and meeting room with at least one seat for each unit of overnight lodging must
be provided.
(e) Residential
uses must be limited to those necessary for the staff and management of the
resort.
(f) The governing
body of the county or its designee has reviewed the resort proposed under this
subsec
04Consult a licensed attorney for application to specific cases
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