File No. Reference DCA-22-006
House Bill 2001 (HB 2001) was adopted by the Oregon Legislative Assembly in August of 2019. The bill requires larger cities in Oregon to allow for middle housing in “areas” that allow single family homes. Large cities with over 25,000 residents, such as Medford, are required to allow middle housing types defined as duplexes, triplexes, quadplexes, townhouses, and cottage clusters in all of the single family zones. Large cities must adopt zoning regulations to comply with HB 2001 by June 30, 2022.
The City proposes an amendment which focuses on incorporating new regulations in the SFR-2, SFR-4, SFR-6, and SFR-10 zones.
Below is a list and summary of the amendments proposed in each article of Medford Municipal Code Chapter 10 divided between state mandated changes and non-mandated changes.
State Mandated Changes
o Updated the definitions of cottage cluster development, duplex, and townhouse
o Added definitions for middle housing, quadplex, and triplex
Non-Mandated Changes
o Added definition of rear loaded (relating to access and parking to the back of a lot)
o Revised definition of lot width (proposing a revision to how lot width is measured)
o Revised definition of multiple family dwelling from 3 attached to 5 attached units
- Article II - Procedural Requirements
State Mandated Changes
o Changed cottage clusters to Type I reviews for up to four units
o Added Middle Housing as a building permit review process
Non-Mandated Changes
o Changed cottage clusters to Type II and Type III decisions based on size of lot (over four units)
o Made correction to Pad Lot Section to include subdivision criteria
- Article III - Zoning Districts
State Mandated Changes
o Added the allowance of duplexes in the SFR-2 zone
o Added the allowance of all middle housing types in the SFR-4 and SFR-6 zones
Non-Mandated Changes
o Added statement about middle housing
- Article IV – Public Improvement Standards and Criteria
State Mandated Changes
None.
Non-Mandated Changes
o Added statement about public improvements and sewer capacity
o Reduced driveway throat width from 12 feet to 10 feet for single family and middle housing types
- Article V – Site Development Standards
State Mandated Changes
o Added statement clarifying that up to four middle housing units are not subject to maximum density requirements
o Changed townhouse requirements related to density, minimum lot size, and lot width
o Added land division and site development standards specific to triplexes and quadplexes
o Reduced rear yard setbacks for townhouses
o Clarified the existing multiple family design standards apply to five or more units
o Reduced the parking standard for duplexes
o Added triplex and quadplex parking standards
o Added exclusions for bicycle parking and landscape standards for up to four units (previously only exempted single family detached homes)
o Removed the corner lot requirement for cottage clusters in SFR-4
o Removed allowance for attached units in cottage cluster developments
o Revised lot area, parking, density, lot coverage, cottage size, and building height for cottage cluster developments
Non-Mandated Changes
o Added a cap on the creation of oversize lots
o Changed how window and doors are calculated in the multiple family design standards (to match middle housing calculation)
o Specified triplexes and quadplexes are subject to the allowance of padlots
o Clarified reduced setbacks do not allow for the encroachment of structures within public utility easements
o Separated land division and site development standards into two separate tables
o Added reduced lot standards for rear loaded lots
o Increased lot coverage for townhouses
o Added design standards for triplexes, quadplexes, and townhouses
o Changed off-street parking standards for multiple family units based upon number of bedrooms
o Clarified when parking can encroach into required front yard setbacks
o Added a provision that allows alleys to be counted toward vehicular backup space requirements
o Clarified parking is not allowed within the drive aisle of extended residential driveways serving more than one unit
o Clarified the total number of units in the single family zones on one lot is four, including accessory dwelling units
HB 2001 Brochure(PDF, 2MB)
Draft Amendment(PDF, 584KB)
Assigned Planner: Sarah Sousa (sarah.sousa@cityofmedford.org)
Public Hearing Schedule:
Planning Commission: Thursday, April 28, 2022