Board moves to engross ordinance 912 to allow rural ADUs, continues hearings to April

County staff presented proposed ordinance 912 on Feb. 24, which would amend the rural natural resources plan and community development code to allow two state-authorized rural ADU types in specified rural residential districts.

Todd Borkowitz, senior planner in Land Use and Transportation, explained the two rural ADU types under Oregon law (rural ADUs and rural historic ADUs), described eligibility maps and state minimum criteria (minimum lot sizes, prohibition inside the urban growth boundary and certain urban reserves, structural fire protection, and groundwater restrictions), and summarized proposed county clarifications. Staff said the proposed county approach applies the state's minimum requirements, adds a few limited local restrictions, prohibits vacation occupancy, and would not require shared water sources between primary and ADU dwellings.

Borkowitz noted specific technical limits: a rural ADU floor-area limit of 900 square feet, a rural historic ADU limit up to 120% of the historic home's square footage, a 100-foot maximum separation from the primary dwelling for a rural ADU, and exclusion of lots not served by structural fire protection except where an outside water provider supplies groundwater-restricted lots.

Neil Olsen testified during the public hearing that while he supports additional housing options, the proposed rules add complexity for rural property owners—citing wildfire-defensible-area mapping, required letters from rural fire services, and other burdens—and asked for more public input. After discussion and clarification from staff on UGB and urban-reserve boundaries and groundwater-provider exceptions, the board voted unanimously to order engrossment of ordinance 912 and to continue hearings on the engrossed ordinance to April 7 and April 28, 2026.

What happens next: Staff will prepare engrossed language and provide required notices; the board will hold two additional hearings on the engrossed ordinance on the dates specified.

Sources: staff presentation by Todd Borkowitz and public testimony by Neil Olsen at the Feb. 24 Washington County Board of Commissioners meeting.