Oregon Code § 215.750·Enacted ·Last updated March 01, 2026
Statute Text
Alternative forestland dwelling; criteria.
(1) As used in this section, center of the subject
tract means the mathematical centroid of the tract.
(2) In western
Oregon, a governing body of a county or its designate may allow the
establishment of a single-unit dwelling on a lot or parcel located within a
forest zone if the lot or parcel is predominantly composed of soils that are:
(a) Capable of
producing 0 to 49 cubic feet per acre per year of wood fiber if:
(A) All or part
of at least three other lots or parcels that existed on January 1, 1993, are
within a 160-acre square centered on the center of the subject tract; and
(B) At least
three dwellings existed on January 1, 1993, on the other lots or parcels;
(b) Capable of
producing 50 to 85 cubic feet per acre per year of wood fiber if:
(A) All or part
of at least seven other lots or parcels that existed on January 1, 1993, are
within a 160-acre square centered on the center of the subject tract; and
(B) At least
three dwellings existed on January 1, 1993, on the other lots or parcels; or
(c) Capable of
producing more than 85 cubic feet per acre per year of wood fiber if:
(A) All or part
of at least 11 other lots or parcels that existed on January 1, 1993, are
within a 160-acre square centered on the center of the subject tract; and
(B) At least
three dwellings existed on January 1, 1993, on the other lots or parcels.
(3) In eastern
Oregon, a governing body of a county or its designate may allow the
establishment of a single-unit dwelling on a lot or parcel located within a
forest zone if the lot or parcel is predominantly composed of soils that are:
(a) Capable of
producing 0 to 20 cubic feet per acre per year of wood fiber if:
(A) All or part
of at least three other lots or parcels that existed on January 1, 1993, are
within a 160-acre square centered on the center of the subject tract; and
(B) At least
three dwellings existed on January 1, 1993, on the other lots or parcels;
(b) Capable of
producing 21 to 50 cubic feet per acre per year of wood fiber if:
(A) All or part
of at least seven other lots or parcels that existed on January 1, 1993, are
within a 160-acre square centered on the center of the subject tract; and
(B) At least
three dwellings existed on January 1, 1993, on the other lots or parcels; or
(c) Capable of
producing more than 50 cubic feet per acre per year of wood fiber if:
(A) All or part
of at least 11 other lots or parcels that existed on January 1, 1993, are
within a 160-acre square centered on the center of the subject tract; and
(B) At least
three dwellings existed on January 1, 1993, on the other lots or parcels.
(4) Lots or
parcels within urban growth boundaries may not be used to satisfy the
eligibility requirements under subsection (2) or (3) of this section.
(5) A proposed
dwelling under this section is allowed only if:
(a) It will
comply with the requirements of an acknowledged comprehensive plan,
acknowledged land use regulations and other provisions of law;
(b) It complies
with the requirements of ORS 215.730;
(c) No dwellings
are allowed on other lots or parcels that make up the tract and deed
restrictions established under ORS 215.740 (3) for the other lots or parcels
that make up the tract are met;
(d) The tract on
which the dwelling will be sited does not include a dwelling;
(e) The lot or
parcel on which the dwelling will be sited was lawfully established;
(f) Any property
line adjustment to the lot or parcel complied with the applicable property line
adjustment provisions in ORS 92.192;
(g) Any property
line adjustment to the lot or parcel after January 1, 2019, did not have the
effect of qualifying the lot or parcel for a dwelling under this section; and
(h) If the lot or
parcel on which the dwelling will be sited was part of a tract on January 1,
2019, no dwelling existed on the tract on that date, and no dwelling exists or
has been approved on another lot or parcel that was part of the tract.
(6) Except as
described in subsection (7) of this section, if the tract under subsection (2)
or (3) of this section abuts a road that existed on January 1, 1993, the
measurement may be made by creating a 160-acre rectangle that is one mile long
and one-fourth mile wide centered on the center of the subject tract and that
is to the maximum extent possible, aligned with the road.
(7)(a) If a tract
60 acres or larger described under subsection (2) or (3) of this section abuts
a road or perennial stream, the measurement shall be made in accordance with
subsection (6) of this section. However, one of the three required dwellings
must be on the same side of the road or stream as the tract and:
(A) Be located
within a 160-acre rectangle that is one mile long and one-fourth mile wide
centered on the center of the subject tract and that is, to the maximum extent
possible, aligned with the road or stream; or
(B) Be within
one-quarter mile from the edge of the subject tract b
Plain English Explanation
This Oregon statute addresses Alternative forestland dwelling; criteria. AI-powered analysis coming soon.
Key Points
01Part of Oregon statutory law
02Referenced as Oregon Code § 215.750
03Subject to legislative amendments
04Consult a licensed attorney for application to specific cases
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