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Deschutes County adopts first reading of farm and forest 'housekeeping' zoning changes
Summary
The county conducted a first reading of Ordinance 2025‑016 to adopt housekeeping amendments translating state farm and forest modernization rule changes into county code; staff will return for a second reading in two weeks.
Deschutes County held a first reading Oct. 1 of Ordinance 2025‑016, a package of housekeeping amendments to Deschutes County Code to align local zoning and definitions with the state’s farm and forest modernization rulemaking.
Nicole Mardell, senior planner with the county’s Community Development Department (CDD), told the board the planning commission held a hearing and unanimously approved the package. The board previously held a public hearing Sept. 10 and left the record open for one week to clarify wording raised by a public commenter regarding application of the farm impacts test to non‑farm dwellings (section 18.60.1640(a)). Mardell said staff worked with the commenter to clarify the translation of the state rule into local code language and also cleaned up the farm‑use definition reference.
No additional comments were received during the reopened record period, Mardell said. The board voted to approve first reading by title only; staff said they will return for second reading after the standard 90‑day adoption procedure or, as stated at the meeting, in two weeks if the board proceeds further.
Commissioners Dyer and Chang recorded yes votes on the first reading and the chair also voted yes. Staff noted the planning commission recommendation and public engagement preceding the board hearing.
