PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE

The City of Happy Valley is considering updates to multiple chapters of Title 16, the City’s Land Development Code. The proposed amendments are included in Ordinance 607, File No. LU-0013-2026. The amendments are intended to:

• Bring the City’s development regulations into compliance with recent Oregon legislation.
• Implement selected actions from the City’s adopted Housing Production Strategy.
• Establish clearer and more objective development standards.
• Clarify, reorganize, and improve the usability of the Land Development Code.

The proposal affects development regulations and development processes throughout the City. No changes to the City’s Zoning Map or City-initiated construction projects are proposed with this project. The amendments remain in draft form and may be revised during the public review process before final adoption by the City Council.

 

Why Are These Amendments Being Proposed?

The amendments generally fall into three categories:

• State-law compliance. Some amendments are necessary to implement recently adopted Oregon legislation related to development. These changes address housing review procedures, middle housing, single-room occupancy housing, child care facilities, residential treatment uses, development timelines, public improvements, variances, land divisions, and other subjects affected by state law.
• Housing Production Strategy implementation. A few of the amendments would carry out selected actions from the City’s adopted Housing Production Strategy. Much of this is also the result of recent State legislation. The strategies include reducing regulatory barriers to multifamily housing, allowing additional accessory dwelling units, expanding affordable and accessible housing incentives, and making housing standards clearer and more objective.
• Code clarification and improvement. The proposal also includes City-initiated amendments intended to reorganize requirements, eliminate duplicative provisions, clarify approval criteria, and make the Land Development Code easier to understand and navigate, etc.

 

What Is Not Proposed?

The proposed amendments would not:

• Change the City’s Zoning Map.
• Rezone individual properties through this ordinance.
• Authorize a specific development project.
• Initiate a City construction project.

 

Proposed Changes

The proposed amendments may be reviewed online or at Happy Valley City Hall. As the proposal is still under review, the draft documents may change before final adoption. The full ordinance and draft code language should be consulted for complete requirements.

Draft Proposed Changes (Code Amendments)

High-Level Highlights

Detailed Summary of Major Changes by Section

  

Public Hearing and Comments

The Planning Commission will hold a public hearing Tuesday, November 10, 2026, at 6:00 p.m in person at City Hall and via Zoom. Interested parties may testify at the hearing or submit written comments while the record is open. Written comments may be emailed to [email protected]. Comments received by 5:00 p.m. two weeks before the hearing will be included in the staff report. Comments received later will be placed in the record and provided to the Planning Commission but will not be included in the staff report. The full proposal is scheduled to be posted with the Planning Commission meeting agenda on November 3, 2026. After the Planning Commission makes a recommendation, the City Council will review the proposal at a separate public hearing.

 

Questions or Assistance

For additional information, contact the Happy Valley Planning Department:

• Phone: 503-783-3800
• Email: [email protected]