Identifying opportunities to improve rules for clarity, usability, and consistency with state law.
Clackamas County is reviewing its zoning and development rules that apply within the Portland Metropolitan area urban growth boundary (UGB) to identify opportunities for improvement. These rules establish land use and development standards for the county, guiding growth, housing, business, and environmental protection.
Get started: Explore the Story Map and take our short survey
Want to see what’s being considered and how it could affect your community?
Visit our interactive Story Map to learn more about zoning in urban unincorporated areas of Clackamas County. The Story Map includes maps, photos, and project background. At the end, you’ll have an opportunity to take a 5-minute survey and share your thoughts.
Why this project matters
As a primary tool for implementing a comprehensive plan, zoning puts long-term community goals into action by guiding land use decisions in alignment with the plan’s vision. The goal of this assessment is to ensure the Zoning & Development Ordinance (ZDO) contains rules that are clear, user-friendly, and aligned with recent changes to state law. Following the assessment, a report (called the ZDO Diagnostic Report) will provide recommendations to enhance clarity, organization, and consistency in the ZDO. Some recommendations may be implemented immediately, others may be considered for future updates while others may not pursued at all depending on resource availability.
Modernizing our urban zoning and development rules will:
- Improve usability and clarity of zoning regulations
- Address barriers to housing and economic development
- Ensure compliance with state and federal requirements
- Incorporate community input to reflect local priorities
The study area
We will focus on urban, unincorporated areas of Clackamas County, meaning areas with urban services and zoning that are within the Portland Metropolitan Urban Growth Boundary, but not within an incorporated city. Examples of urban, unincorporated areas include Oak Grove, Jennings Lodge, Mt. Scott, Sunnyside, and the McLoughlin corridor.
Timeline
Expect stakeholder outreach in summer/fall 2025. Feedback from various audience focus groups and a community survey will help guide report recommendations.
Be heard, get involved
Whether you’re a community member, property owner, business owner, or someone who works in housing, development, or land use, your perspective can help shape the future of Clackamas County’s zoning and development rules. You may have experience navigating these rules—or ideas for how they could better serve your neighborhood, your work, or the broader community. Here’s how you can get involved:
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