Land Use
We represent owners, buyers and neighbors in land use matters before the counties and cities of Eastern Oregon and on appeal.
Most land outside the cities here is zoned for farm or forest use, and state law and the county code limit what can be built or divided on it. Before a purchase or a project, we advise on what a parcel can be used for. We prepare applications for conditional use permits, variances, partitions and dwellings, and present them at hearings before the planning commission and the governing body.
When a decision goes against a client, we appeal to the governing body and then to the Land Use Board of Appeals. The time to appeal is short, so call us as soon as the decision is issued. We also represent neighbors who object to a proposed use, and advise on whether a long-standing use may continue as a nonconforming use.
Services we provide
- Advice on permitted uses before a purchase
- Conditional use permits, variances and dwelling applications
- Partitions and subdivisions
- Appeals to the Land Use Board of Appeals
- Nonconforming use questions
Statutes and rules
- ORS chapter 215, County Planning; Zoning; Housing Codesthe uses allowed on exclusive farm use land (ORS 215.283), farm and nonfarm dwellings, the division of farm land (ORS 215.263), nonconforming uses (ORS 215.130) and the county's process.
- ORS chapter 197, Comprehensive Land Use Planning Ithe statewide planning goals and the Land Use Board of Appeals (ORS 197.805 to 197.855), including the 21-day deadline for the notice of intent to appeal (ORS 197.830).
- ORS chapter 92, Subdivisions and Partitionspartition and subdivision plats, and property line adjustments.
Resources
- Land Use Board of Appealsthe board's rules, its opinions, and the notice of intent to appeal.
- Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Developmentthe statewide planning goals and the farm and forest land rules.
- Union County Planningthe zoning code, the comprehensive plan, and the application forms. Each county page links its own planning office.