75th OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2009 Regular Session
 
NOTE:  Matter within  { +  braces and plus signs + } in an
amended section is new. Matter within  { -  braces and minus
signs - } is existing law to be omitted. New sections are within
 { +  braces and plus signs + } .
 
LC 1144
 
                         Senate Bill 325
 
Sponsored by Senator METSGER (at the request of Shirley and Will
  Wilson) (Presession filed.)
 
 
                             SUMMARY
 
The following summary is not prepared by the sponsors of the
measure and is not a part of the body thereof subject to
consideration by the Legislative Assembly. It is an editor's
brief statement of the essential features of the measure as
introduced.
 
  Permits properties within exclusive farm use zones to be used
for weddings and other commercial gatherings.
  Declares emergency, effective on passage.
 
                        A BILL FOR AN ACT
Relating to exclusive farm use zoning; amending ORS 215.283; and
  declaring an emergency.
Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:
  SECTION 1. ORS 215.283 is amended to read:
  215.283. (1) The following uses may be established in any area
zoned for exclusive farm use:
  (a) Public or private schools, including all buildings
essential to the operation of a school.
  (b) Churches and cemeteries in conjunction with churches.
  (c) The propagation or harvesting of a forest product.
  (d) Utility facilities necessary for public service, including
wetland waste treatment systems but not including commercial
facilities for the purpose of generating electrical power for
public use by sale or transmission towers over 200 feet in
height. A utility facility necessary for public service may be
established as provided in ORS 215.275.
  (e) A dwelling on real property used for farm use if the
dwelling is occupied by a relative of the farm operator or the
farm operator's spouse, which means a child, parent, stepparent,
grandchild, grandparent, stepgrandparent, sibling, stepsibling,
niece, nephew or first cousin of either, if the farm operator
does or will require the assistance of the relative in the
management of the farm use and the dwelling is located on the
same lot or parcel as the dwelling of the farm operator.
Notwithstanding ORS 92.010 to 92.190 or the minimum lot or parcel
size requirements under ORS 215.780, if the owner of a dwelling
described in this paragraph obtains construction financing or
other financing secured by the dwelling and the secured party
forecloses on the dwelling, the secured party may also foreclose
on the homesite, as defined in ORS 308A.250, and the foreclosure
shall operate as a partition of the homesite to create a new
parcel.
  (f) Primary or accessory dwellings and other buildings
customarily provided in conjunction with farm use.
 
  (g) Operations for the exploration for and production of
geothermal resources as defined by ORS 522.005 and oil and gas as
defined by ORS 520.005, including the placement and operation of
compressors, separators and other customary production equipment
for an individual well adjacent to the wellhead. Any activities
or construction relating to such operations shall not be a basis
for an exception under ORS 197.732 (2)(a) or (b).
  (h) Operations for the exploration for minerals as defined by
ORS 517.750. Any activities or construction relating to such
operations shall not be a basis for an exception under ORS
197.732 (2)(a) or (b).
  (i) A site for the disposal of solid waste that has been
ordered to be established by the Environmental Quality Commission
under ORS 459.049, together with equipment, facilities or
buildings necessary for its operation.
  (j) The breeding, kenneling and training of greyhounds for
racing.
  (k) Climbing and passing lanes within the right of way existing
as of July 1, 1987.
  (L) Reconstruction or modification of public roads and
highways, including the placement of utility facilities overhead
and in the subsurface of public roads and highways along the
public right of way, but not including the addition of travel
lanes, where no removal or displacement of buildings would occur,
or no new land parcels result.
  (m) Temporary public road and highway detours that will be
abandoned and restored to original condition or use at such time
as no longer needed.
  (n) Minor betterment of existing public road and highway
related facilities such as maintenance yards, weigh stations and
rest areas, within right of way existing as of July 1, 1987, and
contiguous public-owned property utilized to support the
operation and maintenance of public roads and highways.
  (o) A replacement dwelling to be used in conjunction with farm
use if the existing dwelling has been listed in a county
inventory as historic property as defined in ORS 358.480.
  (p) Creation of, restoration of or enhancement of wetlands.
  (q) A winery, as described in ORS 215.452.
  (r) Farm stands if:
  (A) The structures are designed and used for the sale of farm
crops or livestock grown on the farm operation, or grown on the
farm operation and other farm operations in the local
agricultural area, including the sale of retail incidental items
and fee-based activity to promote the sale of farm crops or
livestock sold at the farm stand if the annual sale of incidental
items and fees from promotional activity do not make up more than
25 percent of the total annual sales of the farm stand; and
  (B) The farm stand does not include structures designed for
occupancy as a residence or for activity other than the sale of
farm crops or livestock and does not include structures for
banquets, public gatherings or public entertainment.
  (s) Alteration, restoration or replacement of a lawfully
established dwelling that:
  (A) Has intact exterior walls and roof structure;
  (B) Has indoor plumbing consisting of a kitchen sink, toilet
and bathing facilities connected to a sanitary waste disposal
system;
  (C) Has interior wiring for interior lights;
  (D) Has a heating system; and
  (E) In the case of replacement:
  (i) Is removed, demolished or converted to an allowable
nonresidential use within three months of the completion of the
replacement dwelling. A replacement dwelling may be sited on any
part of the same lot or parcel. A dwelling established under this
paragraph shall comply with all applicable siting standards.
However, the standards shall not be applied in a manner that
prohibits the siting of the dwelling. If the dwelling to be
replaced is located on a portion of the lot or parcel not zoned
for exclusive farm use, the applicant, as a condition of
approval, shall execute and record in the deed records for the
county where the property is located a deed restriction
prohibiting the siting of a dwelling on that portion of the lot
or parcel. The restriction imposed shall be irrevocable unless a
statement of release is placed in the deed records for the
county. The release shall be signed by the county or its designee
and state that the provisions of this paragraph regarding
replacement dwellings have changed to allow the siting of another
dwelling. The county planning director or the director's designee
shall maintain a record of the lots and parcels that do not
qualify for the siting of a new dwelling under the provisions of
this paragraph, including a copy of the deed restrictions and
release statements filed under this paragraph; and
  (ii) For which the applicant has requested a deferred
replacement permit, is removed or demolished within three months
after the deferred replacement permit is issued. A deferred
replacement permit allows construction of the replacement
dwelling at any time. If, however, the established dwelling is
not removed or demolished within three months after the deferred
replacement permit is issued, the permit becomes void. The
replacement dwelling must comply with applicable building codes,
plumbing codes, sanitation codes and other requirements relating
to health and safety or to siting at the time of construction. A
deferred replacement permit may not be transferred, by sale or
otherwise, except by the applicant to the spouse or a child of
the applicant.
  (t) A site for the takeoff and landing of model aircraft,
including such buildings or facilities as may reasonably be
necessary. Buildings or facilities shall not be more than 500
square feet in floor area or placed on a permanent foundation
unless the building or facility preexisted the use approved under
this paragraph. The site shall not include an aggregate surface
or hard surface area unless the surface preexisted the use
approved under this paragraph. As used in this paragraph, 'model
aircraft' means a small-scale version of an airplane, glider,
helicopter, dirigible or balloon that is used or intended to be
used for flight and is controlled by radio, lines or design by a
person on the ground.
  (u) A facility for the processing of farm crops, or the
production of biofuel as defined in ORS 315.141, that is located
on a farm operation that provides at least one-quarter of the
farm crops processed at the facility. The building established
for the processing facility shall not exceed 10,000 square feet
of floor area exclusive of the floor area designated for
preparation, storage or other farm use or devote more than 10,000
square feet to the processing activities within another building
supporting farm uses. A processing facility shall comply with all
applicable siting standards but the standards shall not be
applied in a manner that prohibits the siting of the processing
facility.
  (v) Fire service facilities providing rural fire protection
services.
  (w) Irrigation canals, delivery lines and those structures and
accessory operational facilities associated with a district as
defined in ORS 540.505.
  (x) Utility facility service lines. Utility facility service
lines are utility lines and accessory facilities or structures
that end at the point where the utility service is received by
the customer and that are located on one or more of the
following:
  (A) A public right of way;
 
 
  (B) Land immediately adjacent to a public right of way,
provided the written consent of all adjacent property owners has
been obtained; or
  (C) The property to be served by the utility.
  (y) Subject to the issuance of a license, permit or other
approval by the Department of Environmental Quality under ORS
454.695, 459.205, 468B.050, 468B.053 or 468B.055, or in
compliance with rules adopted under ORS 468B.095, and as provided
in ORS 215.246 to 215.251, the land application of reclaimed
water, agricultural or industrial process water or biosolids for
agricultural, horticultural or silvicultural production, or for
irrigation in connection with a use allowed in an exclusive farm
use zone under this chapter.
  (z) A county law enforcement facility that lawfully existed on
August 20, 2002, and is used to provide rural law enforcement
services primarily in rural areas, including parole and
post-prison supervision, but not including a correctional
facility as defined under ORS 162.135.
  (2) The following nonfarm uses may be established, subject to
the approval of the governing body or its designee in any area
zoned for exclusive farm use subject to ORS 215.296:
  (a) Commercial activities that are in conjunction with farm
use, including the processing of farm crops into biofuel not
permitted under ORS 215.203 (2)(b)(L) or subsection (1)(u) of
this section.
  (b) Operations conducted for:
  (A) Mining and processing of geothermal resources as defined by
ORS 522.005 and oil and gas as defined by ORS 520.005 not
otherwise permitted under subsection (1)(g) of this section;
  (B) Mining, crushing or stockpiling of aggregate and other
mineral and other subsurface resources subject to ORS 215.298;
  (C) Processing, as defined by ORS 517.750, of aggregate into
asphalt or portland cement; and
  (D) Processing of other mineral resources and other subsurface
resources.
  (c) Private parks, playgrounds, hunting and fishing preserves
and campgrounds.  { + A tract of land with associated structures
regularly used for weddings and other commercial gatherings that
do not involve overnight stays is considered a private park. + }
Subject to the approval of the county governing body or its
designee, a private campground may provide yurts for overnight
camping. No more than one-third or a maximum of 10 campsites,
whichever is smaller, may include a yurt. The yurt shall be
located on the ground or on a wood floor with no permanent
foundation. Upon request of a county governing body, the Land
Conservation and Development Commission may provide by rule for
an increase in the number of yurts allowed on all or a portion of
the campgrounds in a county if the commission determines that the
increase will comply with the standards described in ORS 215.296
(1). As used in this paragraph, 'yurt' means a round, domed
shelter of cloth or canvas on a collapsible frame with no
plumbing, sewage disposal hookup or internal cooking appliance.
  (d) Parks and playgrounds. A public park may be established
consistent with the provisions of ORS 195.120.
  (e) Community centers owned by a governmental agency or a
nonprofit community organization and operated primarily by and
for residents of the local rural community. A community center
authorized under this paragraph may provide services to veterans,
including but not limited to emergency and transitional shelter,
preparation and service of meals, vocational and educational
counseling and referral to local, state or federal agencies
providing medical, mental health, disability income replacement
and substance abuse services, only in a facility that is in
existence on January 1, 2006. The services may not include direct
delivery of medical, mental health, disability income replacement
or substance abuse services.
  (f) Golf courses.
  (g) Commercial utility facilities for the purpose of generating
power for public use by sale.
  (h) Personal-use airports for airplanes and helicopter pads,
including associated hangar, maintenance and service facilities.
A personal-use airport, as used in this section, means an
airstrip restricted, except for aircraft emergencies, to use by
the owner, and, on an infrequent and occasional basis, by invited
guests, and by commercial aviation activities in connection with
agricultural operations. No aircraft may be based on a
personal-use airport other than those owned or controlled by the
owner of the airstrip.  Exceptions to the activities permitted
under this definition may be granted through waiver action by the
Oregon Department of Aviation in specific instances. A
personal-use airport lawfully existing as of September 13, 1975,
shall continue to be permitted subject to any applicable rules of
the Oregon Department of Aviation.
  (i) Home occupations as provided in ORS 215.448.
  (j) A facility for the primary processing of forest products,
provided that such facility is found to not seriously interfere
with accepted farming practices and is compatible with farm uses
described in ORS 215.203 (2). Such a facility may be approved for
a one-year period which is renewable. These facilities are
intended to be only portable or temporary in nature. The primary
processing of a forest product, as used in this section, means
the use of a portable chipper or stud mill or other similar
methods of initial treatment of a forest product in order to
enable its shipment to market. Forest products, as used in this
section, means timber grown upon a parcel of land or contiguous
land where the primary processing facility is located.
  (k) A site for the disposal of solid waste approved by the
governing body of a city or county or both and for which a permit
has been granted under ORS 459.245 by the Department of
Environmental Quality together with equipment, facilities or
buildings necessary for its operation.
  (L) One manufactured dwelling or recreational vehicle, or the
temporary residential use of an existing building, in conjunction
with an existing dwelling as a temporary use for the term of a
hardship suffered by the existing resident or a relative of the
resident. Within three months of the end of the hardship, the
manufactured dwelling or recreational vehicle shall be removed or
demolished or, in the case of an existing building, the building
shall be removed, demolished or returned to an allowed
nonresidential use. The governing body or its designee shall
provide for periodic review of the hardship claimed under this
paragraph. A temporary residence approved under this paragraph is
not eligible for replacement under subsection (1)(s) of this
section.
  (m) Transmission towers over 200 feet in height.
  (n) Dog kennels not described in subsection (1)(j) of this
section.
  (o) Residential homes as defined in ORS 197.660, in existing
dwellings.
  (p) The propagation, cultivation, maintenance and harvesting of
aquatic species that are not under the jurisdiction of the State
Fish and Wildlife Commission or insect species. Insect species
shall not include any species under quarantine by the State
Department of Agriculture or the United States Department of
Agriculture. The county shall provide notice of all applications
under this paragraph to the State Department of Agriculture.
Notice shall be provided in accordance with the county's land use
regulations but shall be mailed at least 20 calendar days prior
to any administrative decision or initial public hearing on the
application.
 
 
  (q) Construction of additional passing and travel lanes
requiring the acquisition of right of way but not resulting in
the creation of new land parcels.
  (r) Reconstruction or modification of public roads and highways
involving the removal or displacement of buildings but not
resulting in the creation of new land parcels.
  (s) Improvement of public road and highway related facilities,
such as maintenance yards, weigh stations and rest areas, where
additional property or right of way is required but not resulting
in the creation of new land parcels.
  (t) A destination resort that is approved consistent with the
requirements of any statewide planning goal relating to the
siting of a destination resort.
  (u) Room and board arrangements for a maximum of five unrelated
persons in existing residences.
  (v) Operations for the extraction and bottling of water.
  (w) Expansion of existing county fairgrounds and activities
directly relating to county fairgrounds governed by county fair
boards established pursuant to ORS 565.210.
  (x) A living history museum related to resource based
activities owned and operated by a governmental agency or a local
historical society, together with limited commercial activities
and facilities that are directly related to the use and enjoyment
of the museum and located within authentic buildings of the
depicted historic period or the museum administration building,
if areas other than an exclusive farm use zone cannot accommodate
the museum and related activities or if the museum administration
buildings and parking lot are located within one quarter mile of
an urban growth boundary. As used in this paragraph:
  (A) 'Living history museum' means a facility designed to depict
and interpret everyday life and culture of some specific historic
period using authentic buildings, tools, equipment and people to
simulate past activities and events; and
  (B) 'Local historical society' means the local historical
society recognized by the county governing body and organized
under ORS chapter 65.
  (y) An aerial fireworks display business that has been in
continuous operation at its current location within an exclusive
farm use zone since December 31, 1986, and possesses a
wholesaler's permit to sell or provide fireworks.
  (z) A landscape contracting business, as defined in ORS
671.520, or a business providing landscape architecture services,
as described in ORS 671.318, if the business is pursued in
conjunction with the growing and marketing of nursery stock on
the land that constitutes farm use.
  (3) Roads, highways and other transportation facilities and
improvements not allowed under subsections (1) and (2) of this
section may be established, subject to the approval of the
governing body or its designee, in areas zoned for exclusive farm
use subject to:
  (a) Adoption of an exception to the goal related to
agricultural lands and to any other applicable goal with which
the facility or improvement does not comply; or
  (b) ORS 215.296 for those uses identified by rule of the Land
Conservation and Development Commission as provided in section 3,
chapter 529, Oregon Laws 1993.
  SECTION 2.  { + This 2009 Act being necessary for the immediate
preservation of the public peace, health and safety, an emergency
is declared to exist, and this 2009 Act takes effect on its
passage. + }
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