Land Development Process

The land development process varies between application types and location (urban, rural). The actions and procedures below provide a general overview:

• Pre-application conference
  Applicants learn about Community Development Code requirements and the County’s Comprehensive Plan. Applicants who forgo the conference are required to sign a pre-application waiver.

  Pre-application Conference Waiver (PDF 17.52 KB)

• Neighborhood meeting
  Developers must host neighborhood meetings for most urban projects. Neighbors and property owners near the project can meet developers to discuss proposals and concerns.

  Neighborhood Meeting Packet (PDF 646.75 KB)
• Application submittal
  We review applications within 30 days. Applicants must provide missing information and resubmit for review, if needed.

• Public notice
  Public notice is required for all Type II and Type III applications. Community Participation Organizations (CPOs) must receive copy of the application packet by mail. When a public notice is required, neighbors within the notification area (500 feet urban/1,000 feet rural) of the proposed development a. People have 14 days to comment.

  Land Development Process Fact Sheet (PDF 50.31 KB)
• Staff reports
  We issue a staff report for all applications as a part of decisions. This includes:
  • Determination of how the application complies/does not comply with regulations.
  • Approved applications include conditions of approval to assure compliance.
  • Type I and II applications are determined by the director. This decision may be appealed to a County hearings officer for review.
• Public hearing
  A hearings officer hears Type III applications and director’s decision appeals. Staff issues a report seven days before the hearing.
• Decision/notice of decision (after the hearing and open record periods)
  The hearings officer issues a Notice of Decision, explaining how the decision was reached. The decision also includes possible conditions of approval. The Notice of Decision then goes to those in the notification area and those who submitted comment.
• Appeal
  There is a 12 day period where a land use decision can be appealed.  The following can appeal these decisions:
  • Type I: Applicant or property owner. The hearings officer hears these appeals.
  • Type II: The applicant, property owner, CPO or others impacted by the decision. The hearings officer hears these appeals.
  • Type III: Applicant, property owner or those who submitted comments or testified at the Public Hearing. The State of Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA) hears these appeals.
• Filing for final approval
  Most Type II and Type III decisions include a final approval requirement, showing that the applicant meets the conditions of approval.