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Deschutes County Unincorporated
City Zoning Code

CHAPTER 18

74 RURAL COMMERCIAL ZONE

18.74.010 Purpose

The purpose of this chapter is to establish standards and review procedures for development in the Rural Commercial Zone. The Rural Commercial (RC) zone provisions implement the comprehensive plan policies for rural commercial development and associated uses outside of unincorporated communities and urban growth boundaries.

HISTORY
Adopted by Ord. 2002-019 §2 on 8/7/2002
Amended by Ord. 2003-080 §1 on 1/6/2004

18.74.020 Uses Permitted; Deschutes Junction And Deschutes River Woods Store

  1. Uses Permitted Outright. The following uses and their accessory uses are permitted outright and do not require site plan review under DCC 18.124:
    1. A single-unit dwelling.
    2. A manufactured dwelling subject to DCC 18. 116.070.
    3. A duplex.
    4. Type 1 Home Occupation, subject to DCC 18. 1 16. 280.
    5. Agricultural uses.
    6. Class I and II road or street project subject to approval as part of a land partition or subdivision, or subject to the standards and criteria established in DCC 18.116.230.
    7. Class III road or street project.
    8. A lawfully established use existing as of 11/05/2002, the date this chapter was adopted, not otherwise permitted by this chapter.
    9. Residential home.
    10. Temporary Hardship Dwelling, subject to DCC 18.116.090.
  2. Uses Permitted Subject to Site Plan Review. The following uses and their accessory uses are permitted subject to the applicable provisions of this chapter and DCC 18.116 and 18.124:
    1. A building or buildings not exceeding 2,500 square feet of floor area to be used by any combination of the following uses.
      1. Restaurant, café, or delicatessen.
      2. Grocery store.
      3. Tavern.
      4. Retail sporting goods and guide services.
      5. Barber and beauty shop.
      6. General store.
      7. Video store.
      8. Antique, art, craft, novelty, and second hand sales if conducted completely within an enclosed building.
    2. Expansion of a nonconforming use listed under section B(1)(a-h), existing as of 11/05/2002, the date this chapter was adopted, shall be limited to 2,500 square feet of floor area or 25 percent of the floor area of the building as of said date, whichever is greater.
    3. A building or buildings not exceeding 3,500 square feet of floor area to be used by any combination of the following uses.
      1. Retail sales of agricultural or farm products.
      2. Farm machinery sales and repair.
      3. Kennel.
      4. Veterinary clinic.
      5. Automobile service station and repair garage, towing service, fuel storage, and sales.
      6. Public or semi-public use.
      7. A dwelling unit permitted outright or conditionally, in the same building as a use permitted by this chapter.
      8. Park or playground.
    4. Expansion of a nonconforming use listed under section B(3)(a-h), existing as of 11/05/2002, the date this chapter was adopted, shall be limited to 3,500 square feet of floor area or 25 percent of the floor area of the building as of said date, whichever is greater.
  3. Uses Permitted Subject to Site Plan Review. The following uses and their accessory uses are permitted, subject to the applicable provisions of this chapter, DCC 18.116, Supplementary Provisions, and DCC 18.124, Site Plan Review, of this title:
    1. Child care facility and/or preschool.
  4. Conditional Uses. The following uses and their accessory uses are permitted subject to the applicable provisions of this chapter and DCC 18.116, 18.124, and 18.128:
    1. A building or buildings not exceeding 3,500 square feet of floor area to be used by any combination of the following uses.
      1. Type 2 or Type 3 Home Occupation, subject to DCC 18.116.280.
      2. Utility facility.
      3. Wireless telecommunications facilities, except those facilities meeting the requirements of DCC 18.116.250(A) or (B).
      4. Religious institutions or assemblies.
      5. School.
    2. Recreational vehicle park
    3. Mini-storage facilities limited to 35,000 square feet in size.
    4. Marijuana retailing, subject to the provisions of DCC 18.116.330.
    5. Psilocybin service centers, subject to the provisions of DCC 18.116.380.
HISTORY
Adopted by Ord. 2002-019 §2 on 8/7/2002
Amended by Ord. 2004-002 §20 on 4/28/2004
Amended by Ord. 2008-008 §1 on 3/18/2008
Amended by Ord. 2015-004 §7 on 4/22/2015
Amended by Ord. 2016-015 §7 on 7/1/2016
Amended by Ord. 2020-001 §9 on 4/21/2020
Amended by Ord. 2020-010 §5 on 7/3/2020
Amended by Ord. 2021-013 §9 on 4/5/2022
Amended by Ord. 2022-014 §5 on 4/4/2023
Amended by Ord. 2024-008 §11 on 1/7/2025
Amended by Ord. 2025-002 §17 on 3/28/2025
Amended by Ord. 2025-005 §9 on 8/19/2025

18.74.025 Uses Permitted; Spring River

  1. Uses Permitted subject to Site Plan Review.
    1. Retail/rental store, office, or service establishment.
      1. Use Limitations. Each use in section (A)(1) shall not exceed 2,500 square feet of building floor area on a single lot or parcel.
      2. Building Limitations. For (A)(1) uses, if multiple buildings are located on a single lot or parcel, the total square feet of floor area for each building shall not exceed 2,500 square feet.
      3. The applicable provisions of this chapter, along with DCC 18.116 and 18.124, apply to retail/rental store, office or service establishments, including but not limited to the following uses and their accessory uses:
        1. Fishing supplies and equipment.
        2. Snowmobiling accessories.
        3. Marine accessories.
        4. General store.
        5. Hardware store.
        6. Convenience store with gas pumps.
        7. Eating and drinking establishment.
        8. Recreational rental equipment store.
        9. Excavation business.
        10. Landscaping business/service.
        11. Health care service.
        12. Beauty shop.
        13. Video store.
        14. Post office.
        15. Party supply.
        16. Equipment sales and rental.
        17. Appliance store.
        18. Bank.
        19. Exterminator.
        20. Private mailing and packaging store.
        21. Bakery.
      4. Expansion of a nonconforming use listed in section (A)(1), existing as of 11/05/02, the date this chapter was adopted, shall be limited to 2,500 square feet of floor area or 25 percent of the floor area of the building as of said date, whichever is greater.
    2. Pet, livestock supply, and farm machinery sales and repair.
      1. Use Limitations. Each use in section (A)(2) shall not exceed 3,500 square feet of building floor area on a single lot or parcel, whether the use is contained within a single or multiple buildings.
      2. Building Limitation. For section (A)(2) uses, if multiple buildings are located on a single lot or parcel, the total square feet of floor area for each building shall not exceed 3,500 square feet.
      3. The applicable provisions of this chapter, along with DCC 18.116 and 18.124, apply to the following uses and their accessory uses, and any combination of these uses:
        1. Pet and livestock supply
        2. Farm machinery sales and repair.
      4. Expansion of a nonconforming use listed in section (A)(2), existing as of 11/05/02, the date this chapter was adopted, shall be limited to 3,500 square feet of floor space or 25 percent of the size of the building as of said date, whichever is greater.
  2. Conditional Uses.
    1. Use Limitations. Each use in section (B) shall not exceed 2,500 square feet of building floor space on a single lot or parcel, whether the use is contained within a single or multiple buildings.
    2. Buildings Limitations. Each use in section (B) shall not exceed 2,500 square feet of building floor space on a single lot or parcel.
    3. The applicable provisions of this chapter, along with DC 18.116.124 and 18.128, apply to the following uses and their accessory uses:
      1. Full service gas station with automobile repair services.
      2. Welding shop.
      3. Mini-storage units
      4. Marijuana retailing, subject to the provisions of DCC 18.116.330.
      5. Psilocybin service centers, subject to the provisions of DCC 18.116.380.
    4. Expansion of a nonconforming use listed in section B, existing as of 11/05/2002, the date this chapter was adopted, shall be limited to 2,500 square feet of floor area or 25 percent of the floor area of the building as of said date, whichever is greater.
  3. Definitions. For the purposes of DCC 18.74.120, the following definitions shall apply:
    1. Landscaping business/service: Includes designing landscapes, site grading and preparation, placing boulders, planting trees and shrubbery, installing sod, installing irrigation systems and equipment, installing fencing, and landscape maintenance, but does not include on-site cultivation of plants or plant materials or any on-site retail sales.
    2. Health care service: A business providing the diagnosis, treatment and care of physical and/or mental disease, injury and/or disability, but not including a hospital facility or a nursing home as defined in DCC 18.04.
    3. Beauty Shop: A full service beauty salon which would include haircuts, permanents, washes, nails, etc., and the retail sales of incidental beauty supplies typical of any beauty salon.
    4. Mini-storage units: Self service mini-storage units of various sizes from 5’ x 10’ up to 12’ x 24’.
    5. Video store: The sale and rental of videotapes, compact disc movies, and audio books.
    6. Laundry and dry cleaners: Dry cleaners, shirt laundry and laundromat with self-service washers and dryers along with the sale of detergents, bleaches, etc.
    7. Post office: United States Postal Service office including mail pick-up and distribution.
    8. Party supply: The sale and rental of party supplies such as balloons, streamers, costumes, dishes, linens, and silverware.
    9. Equipment sales and rental: The rental of construction, home repair and maintenance equipment such as ladders, mowers, saws, gardening supplies, etc., and the sales of related equipment.
    10. Appliance store: The sale and service of household appliances such as televisions, ranges, refrigerators, etc.
    11. Bank: Full service consumer bank for checking, savings, loans, safety deposit boxes, etc.
    12. Exterminator: Exterminator of insects and other pests such as rodents, spiders, etc.
    13. Private mailing and packaging store: Private mail boxes and packaging services, which would include the holding and distribution of mail, packing, mailing supplies, FEDEX and UPS pick-up, and FAX and copy machine availability.
    14. Bakery: The manufacture and sale of bread, donuts and pastries.
    15. Pet and livestock supplies: The sale of pet supplies such as dog and cat food, collars, grooming needs, shelters and some large animal supplies such as hay, feeds, and grains.
HISTORY
Amended by Ord. 96-023 §1 on 3/20/1996
Amended by Ord. 96-046 §1 on 7/3/1996
Amended by Ord. 97-015 §1 on 3/26/1997
Amended by Ord. 2002-019 §2 on 8/7/2002
Amended by Ord. 2006-008 §7 on 8/29/2006
Amended by Ord. 2008-008 §1 on 3/18/2008
Amended by Ord. 2015-004 §7 on 4/22/2015
Amended by Ord. 2016-015 §7 on 7/1/2016
Amended by Ord. 2020-017 §1 on 1/29/2021
Amended by Ord. 2022-014 §5 on 4/4/2023
Amended by Ord. 2025-002 §17 on 3/28/2025

18.74.027 Uses Permitted; Pine Forest And Rosland

  1. Uses Permitted Outright. Any use listed as a use permitted outright by DCC 18.74.020(A).
  2. Uses Permitted subject to Site Plan Review. The following uses and their accessory uses are permitted subject to the applicable provisions of this chapter and DCC 18.116 and 18.124:
    1. A building or buildings each not exceeding 2,500 square feet of floor area to be used by any combination of the following uses that serve the surrounding rural area or the travel needs of persons passing through the area:
      1. Eating and drinking establishments.
      2. Retail store, office, and service establishments.
      3. Marijuana wholesaling, office only. There shall be no storage of marijuana items or products at the same location.
    2. Expansion of a nonconforming use existing as of 11/05/2002 shall be limited to 2,500 square feet of floor area or 25 percent of the floor area of the building (or portion of the building) housing the nonconforming use as of said date, whichever is greater.
    3. A building or buildings each not exceeding 3,500 square feet of floor space to be used by any combination of the following uses:
      1. Sales of agricultural or farm products.
      2. Farm machinery sales and repair.
      3. Kennel or veterinary clinic.
      4. Automobile service station, repair garage, towing service, fuel storage, and fuel sales.
      5. Public or semi-public use.
      6. Residential use in the same building as a use permitted in this chapter.
      7. Park or playground.
    4. Expansion of a nonconforming use existing as of 11/05/2002 shall be limited to 3,500 square feet of floor area each or 25 percent of the floor area of the building (or portion of the building) housing the nonconforming use as of said date, whichever is greater.
    5. Child care facility and/or preschool.
  3. Conditional Uses. The following uses and their accessory uses are permitted subject to the applicable provisions of this chapter and DCC 18.116, 18.124, and 18.128:
    1. A building or buildings each not exceeding 3,500 square feet of floor space to be used by any of the following uses:
      1. Home occupation as defined in DCC 18.04.
      2. Utility facility.
      3. Wireless telecommunications facilities, except those facilities meeting the requirements of DCC 18.116.250(A) or (B).
      4. Religious institutions or assemblies.
      5. School.
      6. Marijuana retailing, subject to the provisions of DCC 18.116.330.
    2. Recreational vehicle park.
    3. Mini-storage facilities limited to 35,000 square feet in size.
    4. Psilocybin service centers, subject to the provisions of DCC 18.116.380.
HISTORY
Adopted by Ord. 2003-080 §1 on 1/6/2004
Amended by Ord. 2007-007 §1 on 3/5/2007
Amended by Ord. 2008-008 §1 on 3/18/2008
Amended by Ord. 2015-004 §7 on 4/22/2015
Amended by Ord. 2016-015 §7 on 7/1/2016
Amended by Ord. 2020-001 §9 on 4/21/2020
Amended by Ord. 2020-010 §5 on 7/3/2020
Amended by Ord. 2022-014 §5 on 4/4/2023
Amended by Ord. 2025-002 §17 on 3/28/2025

18.74.030 Development Standards

  1. Setback Standards.
    1. Front Setback. The front setback shall be a minimum of 20 feet for a lot line with street frontage on a local road right-of-way, 30 feet for a lot line with street frontage on a collector right-of-way, and 80 feet for a lot line with street frontage on an arterial right-of-way.
    2. Side Setback. A side setback shall be a minimum of 10 feet, except a lot or parcel with a side lot line abutting land zoned exclusive farm use or forest use shall have a minimum side setback of 50 feet.
    3. Rear Setback. The minimum rear setback shall be 20 feet, except a lot or parcel with a rear lot line abutting land zoned exclusive farm use or forest use shall have a minimum rear setback of 50 feet.
  2. Existing Residential and Commercial Lots. On-site sewage disposal. For existing lots or parcels, an applicant shall demonstrate that the lot or parcel can meet DEQ on-site sewage disposal rules prior to approval of a site plan or conditional use permit.
  3. New Lot or Parcel Requirements
    1. Residential Uses.
      1. The minimum lot area is one (1) acre.
      2. On-site sewage disposal. For new lots or parcels, an applicant shall demonstrate that the lot or parcel can meet DEQ on-site sewage disposal rules prior to final approval of a subdivision or partition.
    2. Commercial and Public Uses.
      1. The minimum lot area for a commercial use served by an on-site septic system and individual well or community water system shall be the size necessary to accommodate the use.
      2. Each lot or parcel shall have a minimum lot width of 150 feet.
      3. On-site sewage disposal. For new lots or parcels, an applicant shall demonstrate that the lot or parcel can meet DEQ on-site sewage disposal rules prior to final approval of a subdivision or partition.
  4. Solar Setback. The setback from any north lot line shall meet the solar setback requirements in DCC 18.116.180.
  5. Building Code Setbacks. In addition to the setbacks set forth herein, any greater setbacks required by the applicable building or structural codes adopted by the State of Oregon and/or the County under DCC 15.04 shall be met.
  6. Lot Coverage.
    1. Lot coverage for residential purposes shall not exceed 25 percent of the lot area.
    2. Lot coverage for commercial and industrial purposes shall be determined by spatial requirements for sewage disposal, landscaping, parking, setbacks, and any other elements under site plan review.
    3. Primary and accessory buildings to be used for purposes other than residential, commercial or industrial shall not cover more than 30 percent of the lot or parcel area.
  7. Height. No structure shall be erected or enlarged to exceed thirty (30) feet in height, except as allowed under DCC 18.120.040.
  8. Off-Street Parking and Loading. Off-street parking and loading shall be provided subject to the provisions of DCC 18.116, Supplementary Provisions.
  9. Outdoor Lighting. All outdoor lighting on site shall be installed in conformance with DCC 15.10, Outdoor Lighting Control.
  10. Signs. All signs shall be constructed in accordance with DCC 15.08, Signs.
HISTORY
Adopted by Ord. 2002-019 §2 on 8/7/2002
Amended by Ord. 2003-080 §1 on 1/6/2004
Amended by Ord. 2006-008 §7 on 8/29/2006
Amended by Ord. 2007-007 §1 on 3/5/2007
Amended by Ord. 2008-008 §1 on 3/18/2008
Amended by Ord. 2020-017 §1 on 1/29/2021
Amended by Ord. 2025-002 §17 on 3/28/2025

18.74.050 Maps


HISTORY
Adopted by Ord. 2002-019 §2 on 8/7/2002
Amended by Ord. 2003-080 §1 on 1/6/2004
Amended by Ord. 2007-007 § 2 on 3/5/2007

2002-019

2003-080

2004-002

2008-008

2015-004

2016-015

2020-001

2020-010

2021-013

2022-014

2024-008

2025-002

2025-005

96-023

96-046

97-015

2006-008

2020-017

2007-007