Oregon to Become First State to Ban Single Family Zoning

In what could be a historic new bill, Oregonian lawmakers passed House Bill 2001, a bill which would allow developers to build multi-family homes in single family zoned areas.  This dramatic upzoning, currently waiting for the governor’s signature, will affect most of the state.  This isn’t the first time Oregon made startling changes to their urban development. 

Back in 1973, Oregon passed a bill that separates the city from the farmlands.  Each city in Oregon has an urban growth boundary (UGB) that dictates how far a city can grow without harming the farms and forests in Oregon.  The state regularly examines the growth of each city and estimates its growth for 20 years.  Changes, if any, are brought to the municipal level, which has their own requirements for zoning and density.  They also must have housing available for all income levels. 

Of course, there have been several attempts to appeal the bill, but none have passed.  There has also been expansion of the boundaries as cities have grown.  However, growth in some cities have exceeded their boundary, with no room left to grow.  After seeing some upzoning changes happening in other cities, for example Seattle eliminating single family zoning in some neighborhoods, Oregon’s version would be statewide. 

Concerned over density and not enough affordable homes, Oregon hopes this bill will give residents more options.  In cities with 25,000 or more residents, developers can build duplexes, tri-plexes, or even clusters of cottages in zoning that was primarily for single family detached homes.  In cities with at least 10,000 residents, duplexes would be allowed.  Lawmakers believe this will help alleviate the lack of housing for their low to moderate income residents, a housing crisis that many states are facing.  One organization that supported the bill is Habitat for Humanity, a non-profit organization that helps build homes for those in need.

Though this bill seemed to have passed fairly quickly, only introduced in February of this year, there are several opponents of the bill.  Opponents believe the state should look at ways to expand the boundary rather than changing the zoning.  Many feel they are being limited to what time of home they can buy.  Residents also fear this upzoning will cause neighborhoods to lose out on the “neighborhood feel” and only help developers and not homebuyers.

However, there is an important distinction.  The bill will allow builders the opportunity to build multi-family housing on land that is only designated for single families.  Builders still have the option to build a single-family detached home.  This bill gives builders, and homebuyers, options and opens up the opportunity for more residents to be homeowners. 

Once signed, the bill will be in effect on January 1, 2020.