Expanding Housing Choice in Clackamas County

HB 2001 Implementation Project

Update 7/1/22

As of July 1, 2022, the new middle housing rules are in effect. Learn more.

Update 6/6/22

On June 2, 2022, the Board of Commissioners adopted amendments to the Zoning & Development Ordinance (ZDO) and Comprehensive Plan to allow for middle housing (duplexes, townhouses, triplexes, quadplexes and cottage clusters) on urban residential land in unincorporated Clackamas County. The amendments will be effective July 1, 2022.
Approved documents:

Questions about developing middle housing? Contact Principal Planner Martha Fritzie at mfritzie@clackamas.us or 503-742-4529.

Background

Expanding housing choice in Clackamas County means providing more housing types and options for residents. Housing in Clackamas County is becoming less affordable, and House Bill 2001 (HB 2001), approved by the state legislature in 2019, will allow property owners to build up the supply of housing — resulting in a wider range of housing types that can provide more affordable housing options in urban, unincorporated Clackamas County.

State law requires that the county amend its Zoning and Development Ordinance (ZDO), and, if necessary, Comprehensive Plan, by June 30, 2022, to allow for this development of middle housing in urban unincorporated, residential zones.

For information about county land use efforts underway to support housing throughout the county, go to Land Use Housing Strategies.

House Bill 2001 (HB 2001)

House Bill 2001 requires Oregon cities and counties to allow “middle housing” in urban residential zones that already allow houses. The purpose of the state law and the county’s HB 2001 Implementation Project is to increase the amount of lower-cost market-rate housing available in residential areas. Since middle housing — townhouses, duplexes, cottage clusters, quadplexes, etc. — can be less expensive to build than conventional single-family houses and new apartment complexes, it may be possible to charge lower rents or sale prices. Also, middle housing will be allowed in more locations than apartment complexes are allowed in today, which may result in the development of more new housing units. The law does not eliminate the option to build single-family homes.

Types of Middle Housing

Middle housing includes duplexes, triplexes, quadplexes (also known as fourplexes), townhouses, cottage clusters (several small houses centered on a common area such as a lawn or courtyard) and accessory dwelling units (ADUs).

Clackamas County already allows ADUs per state law. (ADUs are a secondary house or apartment unit that is on the same lot as a larger, primary house.)

Examples

Meetings

2022
June 2 Board of Commissioners Business Meeting
May 11 Board of Commissioners Land Use Hearing
April 27 Board of Commissioners Land Use Hearing
March 28 Planning Commission Public Hearing
March 14 Planning Commission Study Session
Feb. 22 Online Video Chat with Staff about Proposed Middle Housing Codes
video
Feb. 2 Board of Commissioners Planning Session
Jan. 24 Planning Commission Study Session
materials
2021
Nov. 9 Board of County Commissioners Issues Session
materials
Oct. 25 Planning Commission Study Session
materials

Project Timeline

HB 2001 timeline