This page describes the development standards and other considerations to take into account for landowners wishing to add an accessory structure on their property. Accessory structures are detached from the primary structure (a house, typically). Refer to Woodburn Development Ordinance (WDO) 2.02, 2.03, or 2.04 for the regulations of the applicable base zoning district, 2.05 if an overlay district is relevant, and 2.06 that is specific to accessory structures.
Street improvements per WDO 3.01.03C.2 might be required.
If a lot is within a "planned unit development" (PUD), it's subject to special standards apart from and separately documented from the WDO. Please contact the Community Development Department with any questions.
Many properties have metal pins at corners delineating property lines. The Public Works Department has a metal detector that can be borrowed for up to 24 hours at no charge. Call 503-982-5236.
Electrical and plumbing permits are handled through Marion County Public Works. Call 503-588-5036 for more information.
Staff encourages potential applicants to look to the bottom of this webpage under Supporting Documents to download and use the attached lot coverage worksheet package before applying for any accessory structure building permit.
A written exercise would help determine if the Community Development Department can or can't approve a project. A project needs to meet basic site development standards in the Woodburn Development Ordinance (WDO) in addition to the building code in order for the Department to approve it. Staff wants to avoid homeowners and contractors wasting time and money applying for building permits for projects that can't conform to WDO standards and that staff couldn't approve.
Note that the worksheet packet is not any kind of application packet and may be filled out at home or at the Department counter with Planning Division staff.
If a reader has questions about what a planning and zoning word or phrase means, see WDO 1.02 definitions such as for "lot coverage".