Counties could approve small-home developments on limited rural land

Eligible counties could approve housing projects despite state planning rules for urban growth, farms, and forests. Counties must have fewer than 30 residents per square mile under the 2020 census. Each site must cover at least one acre outside an urban growth boundary, the line marking planned urban growth. Projects must average at least five homes per acre, with each home no larger than 1,200 square feet. Vacation stays are prohibited. The county governing body must approve each rezoning. County standards still apply unless this section says otherwise, and any leftover parcel must meet minimum size rules. Owners must record an irrevocable deed restriction recognizing protected farm, forest, and rangeland practices and barring injury claims that the cited laws already prohibit. Counties must report annually to Oregon's Department of Land Conservation and Development on acreage, homes built, average prices, and other requested information. The section allowing these rezoning approvals would be repealed on January 2, 2034.

Counties could allow one extra home with up to 2,500 square feet of usable floor space on an eligible rural property. Properties must cover at least two acres outside planned urban areas and already have one detached house. Covered land includes residential zones exempted from farm or forest planning rules and farm-only zones with houses approved under the specified farm-dwelling laws. County approval must fit the county's overall land-use plan. Counties may decline to allow extra homes or add restrictions. The extra home must be within 100 feet of the existing house. Vacation stays, dividing the property to separate the homes, and another extra home are prohibited. Wastewater, water, and fire-safety rules apply. Certain well uses disqualify properties in areas where those groundwater uses are restricted. Land reserved for future urban growth and designated areas of critical state concern are excluded. The existing house cannot face a nuisance order or pending nuisance action.

Counties could allow owners to build a new detached house and turn an existing historic house into an extra home. This route covers lots of at least two acres outside planned urban areas and land reserved for future urban growth. Eligible residential or farm-zoned lots must have a house built between 1850 and 1945. Owners must convert the historic house when the new house is complete. The converted house must meet wastewater and sanitation rules. Owners cannot divide the property to separate the homes or enlarge the historic house beyond 120 percent of its size when construction started. Owners cannot rebuild the converted house if fire destroys it or add another extra home. Counties may require a shared water source and add approval conditions.