Commissioners give first reading to housing-code changes to implement HB 3197

The Deschutes County Board of Commissioners conducted a public hearing June 24 and advanced Ordinance 2026-012 by first reading, a package of zoning and development-code amendments to implement Oregon House Bill 3197’s clear-and-objective housing requirements.

Kyle Collins, the county’s senior planner, told the board this is the fourth and final package implementing the state law and covers remaining items such as site-plan standards, conditional-use standards and airport-safety provisions for development near airports. "This last one is kind of a hodge podge," Collins said, describing how previous packages addressed definitions, subdivisions and natural-resource protections and how this set creates clear-and-objective pathways alongside existing discretionary options.

Staff outlined hearing procedures and accepted remote and written testimony; no members of the public spoke or raised hands, and no written testimony was submitted at the hearing. Commissioners indicated they had previously reviewed detailed materials at a work session earlier in the week and moved the ordinance forward by title only on first reading. Collins told the board he will return in two weeks for second reading.

The ordinance amends county code titles governing zoning and development procedures to provide an option for applicants to move through clear-and-objective review pathways where state law requires them to do so. Staff said that if unintended consequences arise after implementation, the county will return with housekeeping amendments to correct them.

Next steps: staff will return for second reading of Ordinance 2026-012 as scheduled. Public materials and the full record are posted to the project website referenced in the hearing materials.