Lebanon staff, consultants present final housing code update package ahead of adoption hearings

Lebanon city staff and planning consultants presented a consolidated package of zoning and code amendments designed to implement the city’s Housing Production Strategy and move into the public hearing phase in April–May.

The package, described by Brandon Crawford, lead planner for consulting firm MIG, includes regulations to allow small-lot single-family homes with a 2,500-square-foot minimum lot, new rules for cottage clusters with a reduced minimum lot size of 7,000 square feet and unit caps, updated standards to align manufactured-dwelling rules with state law, standards for tiny homes (including tiny homes on wheels when used as ADUs or inside manufactured-dwelling parks), and zoning changes to incentivize affordable housing with density, height and parking bonuses.

Why it matters: the amendments are the first phase of an eight-year implementation plan meant to increase housing variety and regulated affordability in Lebanon. Staff said they will file the required 35-day notice with the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) and proceed with local notice and adoption hearings in April and May.

Key proposed changes and details - Small-lot single-family: The consultancy recommended allowing “small lot single family” as an outright housing type in medium- and high-density zones with a minimum lot size of 2,500 square feet and development standards intended to keep units compact. Crawford said, “We recommended that the minimum lot size for small lot single family…