The purpose of this chapter is to provide standards for single-family detached residential units and duplexes which are intended to:

A.

Enhance Oregon City through the creation of attractively designed housing and streetscapes.

B.

Ensure that there is a physical and visual connection between the living area of the residence and the street.

C.

Improve public safety by providing "eyes on the street".

D.

Promote community interaction by designing the public way, front yards and open spaces so that they are attractive and inviting for neighbors to interact.

E.

Prevent garages from obscuring or dominating the primary facade of the house.

F.

Provide clear and objective standards for good design at reasonable costs and with multiple options for design variety.

(Ord. No. 18-1009, § 1(Exh. A), 7-3-2019; Ord. No. 19-1008, § 1(Exh. A), 12-18-2019)

This chapter applies to all street-facing facades of all single-family detached residential units and duplexes, referred to herein as "residences," including manufactured homes not within a manufactured home park.

A.

New single-family detached residential units and duplexes or new garages or expansions of an existing garage on properties with this use require compliance with OCMC 17.14.030 through 17.14.050, OCMC 17.21 or OCMC 17.22 if applicable, as well as OCMC 17.14.080 and 17.14.090.

B.

Residences on a flag lot with a pole length of one hundred feet or greater are exempt from OCMC 17.14.030—17.14.050.

C.

Compliance with minimum public improvements standards in OCMC Chapter 16.12 is required.

D.

The creation of a duplex through conversion of an existing single-family detached residential unit is exempt from the standards of this chapter.

For the purpose of this chapter, garages are defined as structures, or portions thereof used or designed to be used for the parking of vehicles, including carports. For purposes of this section, garages do not include detached accessory dwelling units which are not part of a detached garage. The garage width shall be measured based on the foremost four feet of the interior garage walls or carport cover.

(Ord. No. 18-1009, § 1(Exh. A), 7-3-2019; Ord. No. 19-1008, § 1(Exh. A), 12-18-2019; Ord. No. 22-1001, 1(Exh. A), 6-1-2022)

Applications are processed as a Type I minor site plan and design review per OCMC 17.62.035 concurrently with a building permit application. Modifications to these standards are processed as a Type II administrative variance or may be requested as part of a concurrent Type II, III or IV land use application.

(Ord. No. 18-1009, § 1(Exh. A), 7-3-2019; Ord. No. 19-1008, § 1(Exh. A), 12-18-2019; Ord. No. 22-1001, 1(Exh. A), 6-1-2022; Ord. No. 23-1001, § 1(Exh. A), 3-15-2023)

A.

A residence with no garage, a garage not on a street-facing façade, or a detached garage shall provide five of the residential design elements in OCMC 17.14.040.A on the front facade of the structure.

B.

A residence with a front-facing garage where the structure is less than twenty-four feet wide may be permitted if:

1.

The garage is no more than twelve feet wide and;

2.

The garage does not extend closer to the street than the furthest forward living space on the street-facing facade;

3.

Six of the residential design elements in OCMC 17.14.040.A are included on the front facade of the structure; and

4.

One of the following is provided:

a.

Interior living area above the garage is provided. The living area shall be set back no more than four feet from the street-facing garage wall; or

b.

A covered balcony above the garage is provided. The covered balcony shall be at least the same length as the street-facing garage wall, at least six feet deep and accessible from the interior living area of the dwelling unit;

C.

A residence with a garage that extends up to fifty percent of the length of the street-facing facade and is not closer to the street than the furthest forward living space on the street-facing facade may be permitted if:

1.

Six of the residential design elements in OCMC 17.14.040.A are included on the front facade of the structure.

D.

A residence with a garage that extends up to sixty percent of the length of the street-facing facade and is recessed two feet or more from the furthest forward living space on the street-facing facade may be permitted if:

1.

Seven of the residential design elements in OCMC 17.14.040.A are included on the front facade of the structure.

E.

A residence with a garage that extends up to sixty percent of the length of the street-facing facade may extend up to four feet in front of the furthest forward living space on the street-facing facade may be permitted if:

1.

Eight of the residential design elements in OCMC 17.14.040.A are included on the front facade of the structure; and

2.

One of the options in OCMC 17.14.040.B is provided on the front facade of the structure.

F.

A residence with a garage that extends up to fifty percent of the length of the street-facing facade may extend up to eight feet in front of the furthest forward living space on the street-facing facade if:

1.

Nine of the residential design elements in OCMC 17.14.040.A are included on the front facade of the structure; and

2.

One of the options in OCMC 17.14.040.B is provided on the front facade of the structure.

G.

A residence with a garage that is side-oriented to the front lot line may extend up to thirty-two feet in front of the furthest forward living space on the street-facing facade if:

1.

Windows occupy a minimum of fifteen percent of the lineal length of the street-facing wall of the garage; and

2.

Six of the residential design elements in OCMC 17.14.040.A are included on the front facade of the structure.

3.

The garage wall does not exceed sixty percent of the length of the street-facing façade.

(Ord. No. 18-1009, § 1(Exh. A), 7-3-2019; Ord. No. 19-1008, § 1(Exh. A), 12-18-2019; Ord. No. 22-1001, 1(Exh. A), 6-1-2022)

A.

Residences on corner lots and through lots shall comply with one of the options in OCMC 17.14.030 for the front of the home.

B.

The other street-facing side of the residence on a corner lot or through lot shall include the following:

1.

Windows and doors for a minimum of fifteen percent of the lineal length of the ground floor facade;

2.

Minimum four-inch window trim; and

3.

Three additional residential design elements selected from OCMC 17.14.040.A.

(Ord. No. 18-1009, § 1(Exh. A), 7-3-2019; Ord. No. 19-1008, § 1(Exh. A), 12-18-2019; Ord. No. 22-1001, 1(Exh. A), 6-1-2022)

A.

The residential design elements listed below shall be provided as required in OCMC 17.14.030 above.

1.

The design of the residence includes dormers, which are projecting structures built out from a sloping roof housing a vertical window;

2.

The roof design utilizes a:

a.

Gable, which is a roof sloping downward in two parts from a central ridge, so as to form a gable at each end; or

b.

Hip, which is a roof having sloping ends and sides meeting at an inclined projecting angle.

3.

The building facade includes two or more offsets of sixteen inches or greater;

4.

A roof overhang of sixteen inches or greater;

5.

A recessed entry that is at least two feet behind the furthest forward living space on the ground floor, and a minimum of eight feet wide;

6.

A minimum sixty square-foot covered front porch that is at least five feet deep or a minimum forty square-foot covered porch with railings that is at least five feet deep and elevated entirely a minimum of eighteen inches;

7.

A bay window that extends a minimum of twelve inches outward from the main wall of a building and forming a bay or alcove in a room within;

8.

Windows and main entrance doors that occupy a minimum of fifteen percent of the lineal length of the front facade (not including the roof and excluding any windows in a garage door);

9.

Window trim (minimum four inches);

10.

Window grids on all street facing windows (excluding any windows in the garage door or front door).

11.

Windows on all elevations include a minimum of four-inch trim (worth two elements);

12.

Windows on all of the elevations are wood, cladded wood, or fiberglass (worth two elements);

13.

Windows on all of the elevations are recessed a minimum of two inches from the facade (worth two elements);

14.

A balcony that projects a minimum of one foot from the wall of the building and is enclosed by a railing or parapet;

15.

Shakes, shingles, brick, stone or other similar decorative materials shall occupy a minimum of sixty square feet of the street facade;

16.

All garage doors are a maximum nine feet wide;

17.

All garage doors wider than nine feet are designed to resemble two smaller garage doors;

18.

There are a minimum of two windows in each garage door;

19.

A third garage door is recessed a minimum of two feet;

20.

A window over the garage door that is a minimum of twelve square feet with window trim (minimum four inches);

21.

The living space of the dwelling is within five feet of the front yard setback; or

22.

The driveway is composed entirely of pervious pavers or porous pavement.

B.

If the garage projects in front of the furthest forward living space on the street facing facade, one of the residential design elements 1 or 2 below, shall be provided in addition to the residential design elements required in OCMC 17.14.040.A. Residential design elements utilized in OCMC 17.14.040.B can be additionally utilized in OCMC 17.14.040.A.

1.

A minimum sixty square-foot covered front porch that is at least five feet deep; or a minimum forty square-foot covered porch with railings that is at least five feet deep and elevated entirely a minimum of eighteen inches.

2.

The garage is part of a two-level facade. The second level facade shall have a window (minimum twelve square feet) with window trim (minimum four inches).

(Ord. No. 18-1009, § 1(Exh. A), 7-3-2019; Ord. No. 19-1008, § 1(Exh. A), 12-18-2019; Ord. No. 22-1001, 1(Exh. A), 6-1-2022)

A.

The main entrance for each single-family detached residential unit, and the main entrance for at least one unit in a duplex shall:

1.

Be located on a façade that faces a street; or

2.

Open onto a covered porch on a street-facing facade that is at least sixty square feet with a minimum depth of five feet.

B.

The main entrance of one or more dwelling units on a flag lot shall face either the front lot line or the side lot line adjoining the flag pole.

(Ord. No. 18-1009, § 1(Exh. A), 7-3-2019; Ord. No. 19-1008, § 1(Exh. A), 12-18-2019; Ord. No. 22-1001, 1(Exh. A), 6-1-2022)

A.

Duplexes consisting of two detached dwelling units are permitted provided that one dwelling unit on the lot is an existing dwelling unit that received final inspection at least five years ago.

B.

In the case of a duplex with detached dwelling units, each street-facing façade that can be seen from the street shall meet the standards in OCMC 17.14.030.

(Ord. No. 22-1001, § 1(Exh. A), 6-1-2022)

The intent of this section is to encourage the retention of trees, minimize the impact of tree loss during development and ensure a sustainable tree canopy in Oregon City at the time of construction. Though not required, the use of large native and heritage tree species is recommended as detailed in this section. In no case shall any plant listed as a nuisance, invasive or problematic species on any regionally accepted plant list be used.

A.

Tree Requirement. All single-family detached residential units and middle housing developments shall comply with the requirements of this section. This requirement may be met using one or any combination of the three options below (tree preservation, tree planting, or tree fund). Table 17.14.080.A identifies the minimum number of inches of tree diameter per lot that shall be preserved, planted or paid into the tree fund. Adjustments from this section are prohibited. The applicant shall submit a residential tree plan for Options 1 and 2 demonstrating compliance with the requirements of this section.

Table 17.14.080.A
Tree Requirements

1.

Tree Preservation. The size of existing trees to be preserved shall be measured as diameter at breast height (DBH).

a.

This standard shall be met using trees that are located on the lot. When this option is used, a tree preservation plan is required.

b.

Trees to be preserved may be located anywhere on the lot, and shall be a minimum of two inches' caliper DBH.

c.

Large Native or Heritage Tree Incentive. If a tree is preserved that is selected from the list in Table 17.14.080.A.2, the diameter of the tree may be doubled when demonstrating compliance with the minimum tree requirements indicated in Table 17.14.080.A. For example, an Oregon White Oak with a two-inch caliper at DBH may count as a tree diameter of four inches.

2.

Tree Planting. All planted trees shall measure a minimum two-inch caliper at six inches above the root crown. When this option is used, a tree planting plan is required.

a.

Trees may be planted anywhere on the lot as space permits.

b.

Large Native or Heritage Tree Incentive. If a tree is planted that is selected from the list in Table 17.14.080.A.2, the diameter of the tree may be doubled when demonstrating compliance with the minimum tree requirements indicated in Table 17.14.080.A. For example, an Oregon White Oak with a two-inch caliper at six inches above the root crown may count as a tree diameter of four inches.

Table 17.14.080.A.2
Large Native and Heritage Tree List

3.

Tree Fund. This option may be used where site characteristics or construction preferences do not support the preservation or planting options identified above. The community development director may approve this option in-lieu-of or in addition to requirements of Option 1 and/or 2 above. The community development director may approve the payment of cash-in-lieu into a dedicated fund for the remainder of trees that cannot be replanted in the manner described above. The large native or heritage tree incentive does not apply when using this option to calculate the number of required inches.

a.

The cash-in-lieu payment per tree shall utilize the adopted fee schedule when calculating the total tree fund payment.

b.

The amount to be paid to the tree fund shall be calculated by subtracting the total inches of trees preserved and planted per subsection 1 and 2 above from the minimum tree diameter inches required in Table 17.14.080.A, dividing the sum by two inches and multiplying the remainder by the adopted fee from the Oregon City fee schedule. For example:

(Ord. No. 18-1009, § 1(Exh. A), 7-3-2019; Ord. No. 19-1008, § 1(Exh. A), 12-18-2019; Ord. No. 22-1001, 1(Exh. A), 6-1-2022)

All new single-family detached residential units and middle housing developments, or additions of twenty-five percent or more of the existing square footage of the residence (including the living space and garage(s)) shall install one street tree in accordance with OCMC 12.08 if there is not at least one existing street tree for every thirty-five feet of property frontage.

(Ord. No. 18-1009, § 1(Exh. A), 7-3-2019; Ord. No. 19-1008, § 1(Exh. A), 12-18-2019; Ord. No. 22-1001, 1(Exh. A), 6-1-2022)