All developments within the City must comply with the provisions of Chapters 3.1 through 3.4. Some developments, such as major projects requiring land division and/or Site Plan Review approval, may require detailed findings demonstrating compliance with each chapter of the code. For smaller, less complex projects, fewer code provisions may apply. Though some projects will not require land use or development permit approval, they are still required to comply with the provisions of this Chapter. [Ord. 533 § 3 (Exh. J), 2023].

The City’s development design standards are contained in both Chapter 2 and Chapter 3. It is important to review both chapters, and all relevant code sections within the chapters, to determine which standards apply. The City may prepare checklists to assist property owners and applicants in determining which sections apply.

A.    Chapter 3. The design standards contained within the following chapters apply throughout the City, for all land use types:

3.1 – Access and Circulation

3.2 – Landscaping and Screening

3.3 – Vehicle and Bicycle Parking

3.4 – Signs

3.5 – Public Improvement Standards

3.6 – Additional Standards for Middle Housing

3.7 – Defensible Space Standards

B.    Chapter 2. Each land use district (Chapter 2) provides design standards that are specifically tailored to the district. For example, the Residential Districts contain building design guidelines that are different than those provided in the Commercial Districts, due to differences in land use, building types, and compatibility issues. In addition, each district provides special standards that are meant to address the impacts or characteristics of certain land uses. [Ord. 543 § 2 (Exh. N), 2025].

The purpose of this Chapter is to ensure that developments provide safe and efficient access and circulation for pedestrians, bicycles (including ADA and transit accessibility) and motorized vehicles including emergency vehicles and to preserve the transportation system in terms of safety, capacity, and function.

A.    Applicability. This Chapter applies to all rights-of-way within the City and to all properties that abut these rights-of-way. The standards apply when lots are created, consolidated, or modified through a land division, partition, or street vacation; and when properties are subject to Site Plan Review. These standards also may be applied at the City’s discretion during Conditional Use permit.

A.    Traffic Study and Control Requirements

1.    The City or other agency with access jurisdiction may require a traffic study prepared at applicant/developers expense by a qualified professional to determine access, circulation and other transportation requirements. A Traffic Impact Study shall be required for all development applications that will result in a traffic impact or increase in traffic impact of 200 or more average daily trips (ADT).

2.    Traffic control devices, subject to the approval of the Hearings Body, shall be required with development when traffic signal warrants are met, in conformance with the Oregon State Highway Capacity Manual, and Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices. The location of traffic control devices shall be noted on approved street plans. Where a proposed street intersection will result in an immediate need for a traffic signal or other traffic control device, a device meeting approved specifications shall be installed. The developer’s cost and the timing of improvements shall be included as a condition of development approval.

3.    Traffic-calming features, such as curb extensions, narrow residential streets, and special paving shall be required where appropriate and in accordance with the Transportation System Plan and Public Works’ Standards and Specifications, latest edition, in order to slow traffic in neighborhoods and areas with high pedestrian traffic and to maximize a pedestrian friendly environment.

B.    Access Management. The City or other agency with access permit jurisdiction may require the closing or consolidation of existing curb cuts or other vehicle access points, recording of reciprocal access easements (i.e., for shared driveways), development of a frontage street, installation of traffic control devices, and/or other mitigation as a condition of granting an access permit, to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the street and highway system

C.    Fire Access and Turnarounds. When required under the Oregon Fire Code, fire access lanes with turnarounds shall be provided. Except as waived in writing by the Fire Marshal, a fire equipment access drive shall be provided for any portion of an exterior wall of the first story of a building that is located more than 150 feet from an existing public street or approved fire equipment access drive. The drive shall contain unobstructed adequate aisle width (20 feet) and turn-around area for emergency vehicles. The Fire Marshal may require that fire lanes be marked as “No Stopping/No Parking.”

D.    Vertical Clearances. Except for drive-through windows, all driveways, private streets, aisles, turn-around areas and ramps shall have a minimum vertical clearance of 13' 6" for their entire length and width.

E.    Vision Clearance. Visual obstructions between three (3) feet and eight (8) feet in height are subject to Special Provisions, Vision Clearance.

F.    Surface Options. All provided driveway, aprons, parking areas, aisles, and turn-arounds shall be paved with asphalt, concrete or comparable durable surfacing, subject to review and approval by the Community Development Director. Properties located in the Light Industrial (LI) District shall refer to Chapter 2.6.

G.    Surface Water Management. All driveways, parking areas, aisles and turn-arounds shall have on-site collection or infiltration of surface waters to eliminate sheet flow of such waters onto public rights-of-way and abutting property. Surface water facilities shall be constructed in conformance with City standards. Swales may be considered to control surface water.

H.    Private Streets and Alleys. Public and private streets and alleys shall conform to the standards in the City of Sisters Public Works Construction Standards, latest edition. While alley intersections and sharp changes in alignment shall be avoided, the corners of necessary alley intersections shall have a radius of not less than 20 feet.

I.    Access Standards

1.    Access spacing standards. Street intersection and driveway spacing shall comply with the table below (Figure 3.1.300.A):

Notes: *Measured centerline to centerline

TSP January 2010

2.    Properties with Multiple Frontages. Where a property has frontage on more than one street, access shall be limited to the street with lesser classification.

3.    Alley Access. If a property has access to an alley or lane, direct access to a public street is not permitted.

4.    Closure of Existing Accesses. Existing accesses that are not used as part of development or redevelopment of a property shall be closed and replaced with curbing, sidewalks/pathways, and landscaping, as appropriate.

5.    Shared Driveways on Arterial Streets. The number of driveways onto arterial streets shall be minimized by the use of shared driveways with adjoining lots where feasible. The City shall require shared driveways as a condition of land division or Site Plan Review, as applicable, for traffic safety and access management purposes in accordance with the following standards:

a.    Where there is an abutting developable property, a shared driveway shall be provided. When shared driveways are required, they shall be stubbed to adjacent developable parcels to indicate future extension. “Stub” means that a driveway temporarily ends at the property line, but may be accessed or extended in the future as the adjacent parcel develops. “Developable” means that a parcel is either vacant or it is likely to receive additional development (i.e., due to infill or redevelopment potential).

b.    Access easements (i.e., for the benefit of affected properties) shall be recorded for all shared driveways, including pathways, at the time of final plat approval or as a condition of site development approval.

c.    No more than two lots may access one shared driveway.

6.    Frontage Streets and Alleys. The decision maker for Site Plan Review or subdivision may require construction of a frontage street or alley to provide access to properties fronting an arterial or collector street.

7.    Exceptions

a.    The Community Development Director or designee may allow exceptions to the access standards above in any of the following circumstances:

1.    Where existing and planned future development patterns or physical constraints, such as topography, parcel configuration, and similar conditions, prevent access in accordance with the above standards.

2.    Where the proposal is to relocate an existing access for existing development, where the relocated access is closer to conformance with the standards above and does not increase the type or volume of access.

3.    Where the proposed access results in safer access, less congestion, a better level of service, and more functional circulation, both on-street and on-site, than access otherwise allowed under these standards.

4.    When access requirements are divided by one or more multi-use pathway(s), in conformance with the provisions of Section 3.1.400. Multi-use pathways shall be located to minimize out-of-direction travel by pedestrians and bicycles and shall be 10-feet wide and located within an easement whose width is specified by the Fire Marshal.

b.    Where an exception is approved, the access shall be as safe and functional as practical in the particular circumstance. The City may allow construction of an access connection at a distance less than required from an intersection, provided the access is as far away from the intersection as possible. In such cases, the City may impose turning restrictions (i.e., right in/out, right in only, or right out only) and may also require that the applicant submit a traffic study by a registered engineer to show the proposed access meets these criteria.

8.    Access Management Plan. In addition, all requests for an access spacing exception shall be required to complete an access management plan for review and approval by the Public Works Director or City Engineer, which should include at a minimum the following items:

a.    Review of the existing access conditions within the study area (defined the property frontage plus the distance of the minimum access spacing requirement). This should include a review of the last three years of crash data, as well as collection of traffic volume information and intersection operations analysis.

b.    An analysis of the study area safety and operations with the proposed access configuration, as well as with a configuration that would meet access spacing standards. This scenario should also include consideration of the long-term redevelopment potential of the area and discussion of how access spacing standards may be achieved.

J.    Driveways, Access Connections and Driveway Design

1.    Driveway Openings. Driveway openings (or curb cuts) shall be the minimum width necessary to provide the required number of vehicle travel lanes (10 feet minimum width for each travel lane). The following standards are required to provide adequate site access, minimize surface water runoff, and avoid conflicts between vehicles and pedestrians (as measured where the front property line meets the sidewalk or right-of-way):

a.    Single family, two-family, and three-family residential uses shall have a minimum driveway opening width of 10 feet, and a maximum width of 24 feet. Wider driveways may be necessary to accommodate approved paved recreational vehicle pads, but the driveway opening or connection to the street shall not be allowed to be wider.

b.    Multi-family developments shall have a minimum driveway opening width of 20 feet, and a maximum width of 26 feet. These dimensions may be increased subject to the City Engineer approval.

c.    Other Uses. Access widths for all other uses shall be based on 10 feet of width for every travel lane. These dimensions may be increased subject to the City Engineer approval. Driveways providing direct access to parking spaces shall conform to the parking area standards in Chapter 3.3, Vehicle and Bicycle Parking. Properties located in the Light Industrial (LI) District shall refer to Chapter 2.6.

2.    Driveway Approaches. Driveway approaches shall be designed and located to provide exiting vehicles with an unobstructed view of other vehicles and pedestrians, and to prevent vehicles from backing into the flow of traffic on the public street or causing conflicts with on-site circulation. Construction of driveway accesses along acceleration or deceleration lanes or tapers should be avoided due to the potential for vehicular conflicts. Driveways should be located to allow for safe maneuvering in and around loading areas.

3.    Driveway Construction. Driveway aprons (when required) shall be installed between the street right-of-way and the private drive, as shown in Figure 3.1.300.B. Driveway aprons shall conform to ADA requirements for sidewalks and pathways,

Figure 3.1.300 B

K.    No development may occur unless required public facilities are in place or are guaranteed in conformance with the provisions of this Code. Improvements required as a condition of development approval, when not voluntarily accepted by the applicant, shall be roughly proportional to the impact of development. Findings in the development approval shall indicate how the required improvements are roughly proportional to the impact. All public improvements shall be in conformance with the City of Sisters Public Works Construction Standards, latest edition. [Ord. 533 § 3 (Exh. K), 2023].

A.    Site Layout and Design. To ensure safe, direct, and convenient pedestrian circulation, all developments shall provide a continuous pedestrian system. The pedestrian system shall be based on the standards in subsections 1-3, below:

1.    Continuous Access and Circulation System. The pedestrian/bicycle circulation system shall extend throughout the development site and connect to all future phases of development, and to existing or planned off-site adjacent trails, public parks, and open space areas to the greatest extent practicable. The developer may also be required to connect or stub pathways or multi-use paths to adjacent streets and to private property with a previously reserved public access easement for this purpose.

2.    Safe, Direct, and Convenient. Pathways and multi-use paths within developments shall provide safe, reasonably direct, and convenient connections between primary building entrances and all adjacent streets

3.    Pathway Connections within Development. Connections within developments shall conform to the following standards:

a.    Pathways shall connect all building entrances to one another to the extent feasible;

b.    Pathways shall connect all on-site parking areas, storage areas, recreational facilities and common areas, and shall connect off-site adjacent uses to the site to the extent feasible. Topographic or existing development constraints may be cause for not making certain pathway connections, as generally shown in Figure 3.1.400.A; and

Figure 3.1.400.A Pedestrian Pathway System (Typical)

B.    Pathways Design and Construction. Pathways and multi-use paths shall conform to the following standards:

1.    Vehicle/Pathway and Multi-use Path Separation. Except for crosswalks (subsection 2) and for properties in the Light Industrial Zone, where a pathway or multi-use path abuts a driveway or street, it shall be raised 6 inches and curbed along the edge of the driveway/street. Alternatively, the decision body may approve a pathway or multi-use path abutting a driveway at the same grade as the driveway if the pathway or multi-use path is protected from all vehicle maneuvering areas. An example of such protection is a row of decorative metal or concrete bollards designed to withstand a vehicle’s impact, with adequate minimum spacing between them to protect pedestrians and bicyclists.

Figure 3.1.400 Crosswalk Detail (Typical)

2.    Crosswalks. Where pathways and multi-use paths cross a parking area, driveway, or street (“crosswalk”), they shall be clearly marked with contrasting paving materials (e.g., light-color concrete inlay between asphalt), which may be part of a raised/hump crossing area. Painted or thermo-plastic striping and similar types of non-permanent applications may be approved for crosswalks not exceeding 24 feet in length.

3.    Pathway and Multi-use Path Width and Surface.

Pathway surfaces shall be concrete, asphalt, brick/masonry pavers, or other durable surface, as approved by the Public Works Director or designee, at least 6 feet wide, and shall conform to ADA requirements. Multi-use paths (i.e., for bicycles and pedestrians) shall be the same materials, at least 10 feet wide and shall conform to ADA requirements.

The purpose of this chapter is to promote community health, safety and welfare by protecting existing trees and setting development standards for landscaping, street trees, fences and walls. Landscaped areas should help to control surface water drainage and can improve water quality.

A.    Requirements by Zone. In the following designated districts, not less than the stipulated percent of gross site area shall be occupied by landscaping.

1.    Residential (R), twenty (20%) percent.

2.    Residential Multiple Family (RMF), twenty (20%) percent.

3.    Downtown Commercial (DC), ten (10%) percent.

4.    Highway Commercial (HC), ten (10%) percent.

5.    Light Industrial (LI), five (5%) percent.

6.    Public Facility and Institutional (PFI), ten (10%) percent

7.    Open Space (OS), twenty-five (25%) percent

8.    North Sisters Business Park Sub-district (NSBP), twenty (20%) percent

9.    Sun Ranch Tourist Commercial (TC), ten (10%) percent

10.    Sun Ranch Residential (SRR), twenty (20%) percent

11.    Urban Area Reserve, twenty (20%) percent

B.    Determination of Landscaped Area. In determining landscaped area setbacks, private patios and all other areas not occupied by buildings, parking lots, vehicle storage areas, or driveways may be included.

C.    Development Standards

1.    All landscaping within the City shall comply with the requirements of the Oregon Forestland-Urban Interface Fire Protection Act, also known as Senate Bill 360.

2.    Areas occupied by clubhouses, recreation buildings, pools, saunas, interior walkways and similar amenities may be also included as landscaped areas, up to fifty (50) percent of the required landscape area.

3.    A hard surface pedestrian plaza or combined hard surface and soft surface pedestrian plaza, if proposed shall be counted towards meeting the minimum landscaping requirement, provided that the hard-surface portion of the plaza shall not exceed twenty-five (25) percent of the minimum landscaping requirement, and shall be comprised of the following:

a.    Any permeable surface such as brick pavers, or stone, scored, or colored concrete; and,

b.    One (1) tree having a minimum mature height of at least twenty (20) feet for every three hundred (300) square feet of plaza square footage; and,

c.    Street furniture including but not limited to benches, tables, and chairs; and,

d.    Pedestrian scale lighting consistent with the City’s Dark Skies Standards; and,

e.    Public trash receptacles.

4.    Bark dust, chips, aggregate and other non-plant ground covers may be used, but shall cover no more than 25 percent of the area to be landscaped subject to defensible space standards in Chapter 3.7 SDC.

5.    Street trees shall be planted in accordance with the provisions of SDC 3.2.600, Street Trees, and Chapter 3.7 SDC, Defensible Space Standards.

6.    Any landscaping area provided in front of building(s) in the Downtown Commercial or Light Industrial zoning district shall be counted as double toward meeting the total landscape requirements.

7.    A landscape strip, a decorative wall (masonry or similar quality material), arcade, trellis, evergreen hedge, or similar screen shall screen parking lots from adjacent streets to a height of three (3') feet. The required wall or screening shall provide breaks, as necessary, to allow for access to the site and sidewalk by pedestrians via pathways. Any areas between the wall/hedge and the street/driveway line shall be landscaped with plants or other ground cover.

8.    All mechanical equipment, refuse area, outdoor storage and manufacturing, and service and delivery areas, shall be screened from view from all public streets and Residential districts. Properties located in the Light Industrial (LI) District shall refer to Chapter 2.6 for screening requirements.

9.    Landscaping shall also be provided where practical in areas within a parking lot not used for the parking of vehicles, drives or turning area.

10.    Parking Areas. All parking areas containing more than 10 spaces and all parking areas in conjunction with an off-street loading facility shall provide landscaping and screening in accordance with the following standard;

a.    Except for Light Industrial Zone properties, a minimum of 10 percent of the total paved area of all parking lot(s), as measured around the perimeter of all parking spaces and maneuvering areas, shall be landscaped. Such landscaping shall consist of an evenly distributed mix of trees with shrubs and/or ground cover plants. Evenly distributed means that the trees and other plants are distributed around the parking lot perimeter and between parking bays to provide a partial canopy. At a minimum, one tree per eight (8) parking spaces total shall be planted to create a partial tree canopy over and around the parking area. All parking areas with more than 50 spaces shall include landscape islands to break up the parking area into rows.

All landscaped areas for trees shall have minimum dimensions of five feet by five feet to ensure adequate soil, water, and space for healthy plant growth. Where practical, landscape areas within parking lots shall be designed at a lower grade than the parking surface to allow surface water drainage to collect in the planter areas.

b.    Preservation of existing trees is strongly encouraged. At the sole discretion of the decision authority, the 10 percent requirement for landscaped areas may be reduced down to 5 percent if existing trees are preserved in parking areas.

11.    Buffering is required for parking areas containing four or more spaces, loading areas, and vehicle maneuvering areas. Boundary plantings shall be used to buffer these uses from adjacent properties and the public right-of-way. A minimum five (5) foot-wide perimeter landscaping buffer shall be provided around parking areas; and a minimum ten (10) foot-wide perimeter landscaping buffer shall be provided around trees. Additionally, where parking abuts this perimeter landscape buffer, either parking stops shall be used or landscape buffers shall be increased in width by three (3) feet.

12.    When a commercial or industrial site adjoins a Residential District, where fences are required, such fencing shall be landscaped as appropriate.

13.    All required building setbacks shall be incorporated in the landscape design, unless these areas are utilized in driveways, etc.

14.    A combination of trees, shrubs and ground covers shall be used for all planted areas, the selection of which shall be based on local climate, exposure, fire-resistance, drought-tolerance, water availability, and drainage conditions; ground covers alone are not acceptable. As necessary, soils shall be amended to allow for healthy plant growth. The Community Development Director or designee may require the substitution of any plant material which they have reason to believe will not survive successfully under the particular conditions of the site in question.

15.    Planted trees shall have a minimum caliper size of one and one half (1 1/2) inches and shall conform to the standards described by the ANSI A300 standards for nursery stock, latest edition.

16.    Detention facilities, such as ponds, shall be graded so that the sides of the facilities are no steeper than 3:1. Additionally, the facilities shall be landscaped with plant materials that provide erosion control and biofiltration.

17.    Plans for the development of required landscaping shall be submitted to the Community Development Department for review and approval prior to the issuance of any building permit. When special conditions of design warrant, changes may be submitted for consideration.

18.    All required landscaping shall be installed by the developer and approved by Community Development Department, prior to occupancy of any building, unless other arrangements are agreed to by the Community Development Director.

19.    The use of drought-tolerant plant species is encouraged, and may be required when irrigation is not available. If the plantings fail to survive, the property owner shall replace them in kind or in consultation with the Community Development Director or designee. All other landscape features required by this Code shall be maintained in good condition, or otherwise replaced by the owner. Irrigation systems connected to the City water system shall have a back-flow prevention device installed as required by Public Works’ Standards and Specifications, latest edition.

20.    All landscaping materials and design shall comply with the applicable defensible space standards of Chapter 3.7 SDC.

D.    Landscaping in Right-of-Way

1.    Landscaping in Right-of-Way – Any landscaped area within the public right-of-way shall not be used when determining required percentage of landscaping provided on-site.

2.    Design – The design of the landscaping of the public right-of-way shall be included in the Landscape Plan and meet the requirements as specified in this section. Adequate space shall be provided in the landscape area to allow free, unrestricted growth and development of the landscaping and street trees.

E.    All planting shall be maintained in good growing condition. Such maintenance shall include, where appropriate, pruning, mowing, weeding, cleaning, fertilizing, and regular watering. Whenever necessary, planting shall be replaced with other plant materials to insure continued compliance with applicable landscaping requirements. [Ord. 543 § 2 (Exh. O), 2025; Ord. 533 § 3 (Exh. L), 2023; Ord. 528 § 4 (Exh. J), 2023; Ord. 486 § 2 (Exh. B), 2018].

A.    Screening. Screening refers to a wall, fence, hedge, informal planting, or berm, provided for the purpose of buffering a building or activity from neighboring areas or from the street. When required, screening may be provided by one or more of the following means:

1.    A solid masonry wall, board fence, or equivalent meeting the standards of the applicable building code.

2.    An evergreen hedge.

3.    An earth berm may be used in combination with any of the above types of screening, but not more than two-thirds (2/3) of the required height of such screening may be provided by the berm. The slope of a berm may not exceed 3:1. The faces of a berm’s slope shall be planted with ground cover, shrubs, and trees.

B.    All required screening, regardless of district or location, shall comply with the following requirements:

1.    Screening shall comply with the vision clearance standards in Chapter 2.15 Special Provisions.

2.    Screening shall comply with the defensible space standards in Chapter 3.7 SDC.

3.    In the areas within the Western Frontier Architectural Design Theme, wood, stone or iron or their visual equivalent shall be used consistent with Chapter 2.15 SDC, Special Provisions.

4.    Height and Location of Screening. Unless otherwise specified, screening required by this Section shall be a minimum six (6) feet in height and shall be arranged within the boundaries of the lot as to substantially hide from adjoining properties the building, facility or activity required to be screened. Perimeter fencing or walls used for screening in residential or commercial Zoning Districts shall meet the standards in SDC 3.2.300.C unless otherwise specified.

5.    Heights of plant screens or hedges specified herein indicate the height which may be expected within three (3) years of planting. The height at the time of planting shall be such that in accordance with good landscape practice the fully required height may be achieved within a three (3) year period.

6.    The standards set forth herein for location and height of landscaping or screening may be modified as directed by the Community Development Director whenever it appears that such landscaping or screening would result in an undesirable condition, would not meet the intent of the screening requirements, or would constitute a danger to traffic by reasons of impairment of vision at a street or driveway intersection.

C.    Fences and Walls.

1.    All fences and retaining walls, regardless of district or location, shall comply with the following requirements:

a.    The allowable height shall be measured from the lowest grade at the base of the fence or retaining wall unless stated otherwise.

b.    Fences and retaining walls shall comply with the clear vision area standards of 2.15.2300.

c.    Screening, walls, and fences shall be maintained in good repair including painting, if required, and shall be kept free of litter, graffiti, or advertising.

d.    Fences shall be comprised of wood, vinyl, metal, masonry or other material that is able to be painted and/or maintained in structurally sound condition.

e.    Fences and walls shall comply with the defensible space standards of Chapter 3.7 SDC.

2.    In Residential Districts, fences shall comply with the following requirements:

a.    Solid, non-transparent fences located in the required front setback area shall not exceed four (4) feet in height, except decorative arbors, gates, and similar features which shall not exceed six (6) feet in length.

b.    Fences with fifty-percent (50%) or greater transparency located in the required front setback area shall not exceed six (6) feet in height.

c.    On corner lots, only one front setback area restriction shall apply relative to the four (4) foot fence height and solid fence restrictions. The fence along the exterior side yard shall not exceed six (6) feet in height from the area subject to the front setback to the rear property line.

d.    All other fences shall not exceed six (6) feet in height.

3.    In Commercial Districts, fences shall comply with the following requirements:

a.    Fences located in the required front and exterior side yard setback areas shall not exceed four (4) feet in height, except decorative arbors, gates, and similar features which shall not exceed six (6) feet in length.

b.    Fences outside of the front and exterior side yard setback areas shall not exceed six (6) feet in height.

4.    In all other districts fences shall not exceed eight (8) feet in height.

5.    The following fences shall be exempt from these standards, except for the requirement to comply with the clear vision area standards in 2.15.2300.

a.    Any security fencing around a public or quasi-public utility facility.

b.    Fences related to a park or approved recreational facility or a school athletic use including (but not necessarily limited to) tennis courts and ball fields.

6.    The Director may allow variation from the development standards listed in subsection 3.2.300.C.2 and 3.2.300.C.3, according to the following:

a.    No part of the structure may exceed eight (8) feet;

b.    Any portion of the structure above six (6) feet shall be predominately open, such that there is free circulation of light and air; and;

c.    The variation will be compatible with and will not have significant adverse effects on the abutting properties and surrounding development. [Ord. 543 § 2 (Exh. O), 2025; Ord. 478 § 1 (Exh. A), 2017].

For sites that do not conform to these requirements, an equal percentage of the site must be made to comply with these standards as the percentage of building or parking lot expands, e.g. if the building or parking lot area is to expand by twenty-five percent (25%), then twenty-five percent (25%) of the site must be brought up to the standards required by this ordinance. [Ord. 533 § 3 (Exh. L), 2023].

A.    Applicability – All development sites containing Significant Trees, shall comply with the standards of this Section. The purpose of this Section is to preserve significant trees within the city limits. The preservation of mature, native vegetation within developments is a preferred alternative to removal of vegetation and re-planting. Mature trees reduce air and water pollution, provides summer shade and wind breaks, and require less water than new landscaping plants having established root systems.

B.    Significant Trees – Individual trees with a trunk diameter of eight (8) inches or greater as measured 4.5 feet above the ground (DBH), shall be identified as significant. Other trees may be deemed significant, when nominated by the property owner and designated by the City Council as “Heritage Trees” (i.e., by virtue of site, rarity, historical significance, etc.).

C.    Mapping Required – Existing significant trees shall be identified on all site plans, partitions and subdivisions and shall be retained whenever possible. Trees to be retained must be identified prior to the commencement of any construction activity and shall be protected during construction pursuant to D below.

D.    Protection Standards – All of the following protection standards shall apply to significant vegetation areas:

1.    Significant trees shall be retained whenever practical and in compliance with the defensible space standards of Chapter 3.7 SDC. Preservation may become impractical when it would prevent reasonable development of public streets, utilities, or land uses permitted by the applicable land use district or poses a fire risk to buildings and structures.

2.    Significant trees removed shall be replaced at a 3:1 ratio of trees removed to trees planted. Replacement trees of an appropriate species shall have a minimum two (2) inch caliper size and shall be planted in a suitable location as substitutes for removed trees, at the sole expense of the applicant. Ponderosa pines may be planted as replacement trees where appropriate.

a.    The Community Development Director or designee shall review tree relocation or replacement plans in order to provide optimum enhancement, preservation and protection of wooded areas. To the extent feasible and desirable, trees shall be relocated or replaced onsite and within the same general area as trees removed.

b.    When it is not feasible or desirable to relocate or replace trees on-site, relocation or replacement may be made at another location approved by the Community Development Director or designee.

c.    Where it is not feasible to relocate or replace trees on site or at another approved location in the City, the applicant shall pay into the City Tree Fund, which fund is hereby created, an amount, to be set by the City Council and incorporated into the City of Sisters Master Fee Schedule, for each of the replacement trees that would otherwise be required by this section. This amount shall reflect both the cost of purchasing and the cost of installing a replacement tree. The City shall use the City Tree Fund for the purpose of producing, maintaining and preserving wooded areas and heritage trees, and for planting trees within the City. In addition, and as funds allow, the City Tree Fund may provide educational materials to assist with tree planting, mitigation, and relocation.

3.    Significant trees that are identified to be retained prior to any construction activity, as required by C, above, shall be removed only with the prior approval of the Community Development Director or designee.

4.    Significant trees that are identified to be retained shall be protected before and during all construction and site preparation activity. Protection measures shall include, but not be limited to, installation of a high visibility tree protection fence [minimum three (3) foot high fence with metal stakes/posts at eight (8) to ten (10) foot intervals] around the dripline(s) of a tree or trees to be preserved.

5.    Grading, operation of vehicles and heavy equipment, and storage of construction materials are prohibited within the dripline of significant trees to be preserved, except as approved by the City for installation of utilities or streets. Such approval shall only be granted after finding that there is no other reasonable alternative to avoid the protected area.

6.    When proposed developments encroach into the dripline area of significant trees, special construction techniques to allow the roots to breathe and obtain water may be required by the Director with respect to any application for a building, grading or development permit.

7.    The City also may require an inventory, survey, or assessment prepared by a qualified professional when necessary to determine vegetation boundaries, building setbacks, and other protection or mitigation requirements.

8.    Conservation Easements and Dedications. When necessary to implement the Comprehensive Plan, the City may require dedication of land or recordation of a conservation easement to protect sensitive lands, including groves of significant trees and natural rock outcroppings.

E.    Exemptions. The protection standards in “D” shall not apply in the following situations:

1.    Dead, Diseased, and/or Hazardous Vegetation. Vegetation that is dead or diseased, or poses a hazard to personal safety, property or the health of other trees, may be removed. Prior to tree removal, the applicant shall provide a report from a certified arborist or other qualified professional to determine whether the subject tree is diseased or poses a hazard, and any possible treatment to avoid removal, except as provided by subsection 2, below.

2.    Emergencies. Significant vegetation may be removed in the event of an emergency without land use approval pursuant to Chapter 4, when the vegetation poses an immediate threat to life or safety, as determined by the Community Development Director or designee. The Community Development Director shall prepare a notice or letter of decision within 7 days of the tree(s) being removed. The decision letter or notice shall explain the nature of the emergency and be on file and available for public review at City Hall.

F.    Additional Penalties.

1.    Base Fine. Notwithstanding anything in Chapter 1.4 SDC to the contrary, a violation of SDC 3.2.500(D) that results in the death or removal of a significant tree, will be subject to a fine of not less than $300.00 per inch of diameter of the applicable significant tree as measured 4.5 feet above the ground with each wrongfully killed or removed significant tree constituting a separate violation subject to a separate fine. [Ord. 543 § 2 (Exh. O), 2025; Ord. 541 § 2 (Exh. B), 2025].

Street trees shall be planted for all developments that are subject to Land Division or Site Plan Review. Planting on unimproved streets shall be deferred until the construction of curbs and sidewalks. Street trees shall conform to the following standards and guidelines:

A.    Street Tree Standards. Trees shall be selected based on growth characteristics and site conditions, including available space, overhead clearance, soil conditions, exposure, and desired color and appearance. The following applies to street tree planting and selection:

1.    Street trees shall be planted between 5' and 15' of the curb, wherever possible.

2.    Street trees shall be placed at an average of 35' maximum distance apart from one another. Reduced separation may be required for smaller species of trees. Variety in tree placement using clusters of trees and uneven spacing is encouraged.

3.    An approved tree grate or other surface treatment acceptable to the Community Development Director or designee shall be used for street trees planted in paved or concrete areas.

4.    Except for immature trees of insufficient height to prune and retain a crown that is at least 2/3 the height of the tree, street trees that overhang city property and public rights-of-way shall be pruned to maintain at a minimum a clearance height of 8' over sidewalks and a clearance height of 14' over streets.

5.    Existing trees may be used to meet minimum street tree requirements if they are not killed or damaged during or as a result of development. Sidewalks of variable width and elevation may be used to save existing street trees.

6.    Existing street trees removed as the result of development shall be replaced by the developer with trees of a species appropriate to the site, as determined by the Community Development Director or designee.

7.    Low-growing trees shall be required for spaces under utility wires.

8.    Narrow or “columnar” trees may be used where awnings or other building features limit growth, or where greater visibility is desired between buildings and the street.

9.    Trees that are extremely susceptible to insect damage shall be avoided.

10.    Trees that produce excessive seeds or fruit are prohibited as street trees.

11.    Street trees shall be those species suitable for the location in which they are placed. Recommended tree species include the following tree types, and within these, consideration should be given to those that are most drought-resistant. Drought resistant trees are marked with an asterisk (*):

Small trees (under 25 feet at maturity)

a.    Canada Red Cherry (Prunus virginiana)*

b.    Flowering Crabapple (Malus spp.)*

c.    Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.)*

d.    Japanese Tree Lilac (Syringa reticulata)

e.    Serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.)

Medium trees (30 to 45 feet at maturity)

f.    Flowering Plum (Prunus cerasifera)

g.    American Hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana)

h.    Callery Pear (Pyrus calleryana)

i.    Hedge Maple (Acer campestre)

j.    Mountain Ash (Sorbus aucuparia)*

Tall trees (over 50 feet at maturity)

k.    Birch (Betula spp.)

l.    Green Ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica)*

m.    Honey Locust (Gleditsia triacanthos “inermis”)*

n.    Littleleaf Linden (Tilia cordata)

o.    Norway Maple (Acer platanoides)

p.    Pin Oak (Quercus palustris)*

q.    Red Maple (Acer rubrum)*

r.    Red Oak (Quercus rubra)*

B.    Prohibited Street Tree Species. Use of the following tree species as street trees is prohibited for one or more of the following reasons: 1) their roots cause injury to sewers or pavements; 2) they are particularly subject to insects or diseases; 3) they cause safety and visibility problems along streets and at intersections; 4) they create messy sidewalks and pavements. Prohibited species include the following:

a.    Walnut (Juglans spp.)

b.    Osage Orange (Maclura pomifera)

c.    Weeping varieties of mulberries, crabapples, cherries, etc. (Morus, Prunus, etc. (weeping))

d.    Fruiting Mulberry (Morus alba)

e.    Poplar (Populus trichocarpa)

f.    Commercial Fruit Trees (Prunus, Pyrus, etc. (fruiting))

g.    Weeping Willow (Salix babylonica)

h.    American Elm (Ulmus americana)

i.    Siberian Elm (Ulmus pumila)

C.    Caliper Size. Planted trees shall have a minimum caliper size of one and one-half (1 1/2) inches and shall conform to the standards described by the ANSI A300 standards for nursery stock, latest edition.

D.    Location. Street trees shall be planted within existing and proposed planting strips and in sidewalk tree wells on streets without planting strips.

E.    Street Tree Maintenance

1.    Except for trees located in medians within public rights-of-way, which shall be maintained by the City, it shall be the continuing duty and routine obligation of property owner(s) of land abutting public rights-of-way to perform activities required to maintain trees located within the abutting right-of-way in good health and vigor. Activities may include watering, pruning, protection against damage, and replacement if necessary.

2.    Street tree removal and planting shall be the obligation of the adjacent property owner(s).

3.    All maintenance activities shall be conducted in accordance with the City of Sisters Urban Forestry Ordinance and City of Sisters Public Works Construction Standards, latest edition.

F.    Assurances. The developer shall install all required landscaping prior to the occupancy of the development. In the event that installation needs to be delayed, the City shall require the developer to provide an estimate of landscaping improvement costs to the City. Upon acceptance of this amount, the City shall require a performance bond in the amount of 120 percent of the accepted estimate from the owner/developer.

G.    Defensible Space Standards. Street trees are subject to the applicable defensible space standards in Chapter 3.7 SDC. [Ord. 543 § 2 (Exh. O), 2025; Ord. 533 § 3 (Exh. L), 2023].

Repealed by Ord. 515.

The purpose of this section is to ensure adequate off street parking is provided by each land use in a manner that avoids street congestion, minimizes impacts on neighboring properties, increases vehicular and pedestrian safety, and promotes good aesthetic design to create and preserve an attractive community character.

A.    New Structures. When a structure is constructed, on-site vehicle and bicycle parking and loading spaces shall be provided in accordance with this chapter.

B.    Alteration of Existing Structures and Use. When an existing use or structure is enlarged or expanded, additional parking to meet the requirements of this Chapter shall be provided for the enlarged or expanded portion only, while maintaining previously existing parking for that use.

C.    Change in Use. No additional parking shall be required when an existing structure is changed from one use type to another and the vehicle and bicycle parking requirements for each use type are the same. When the change in use requires additional vehicle and/or bicycle spaces, additional parking and bicycle space shall be provided to compensate for the increased intensity of use.

D.    Exception to Parking Space Requirement in the Downtown Commercial District. Properties that develop or that change uses in a manner that requires additional parking spaces to be provided may be excepted from adding additional vehicle parking spaces by the Community Development Director or designee if the public right of way adjacent to the subject site is already developed with curbs, sidewalks and parking.

A.    The number of required off-street vehicle parking spaces shall be determined in accordance with the following standards. Off-street parking spaces may include spaces in garages, carports, parking lots, and/or driveways if vehicles are not parked in a vehicle travel lane (including emergency or fire access lanes), public right-of-way, pathway or landscape area.

B.    Downtown Parking District

1.    Within the downtown commercial parking district the parking required for a specific use or site may be provided on-street when located 100% adjacent to the development.

2.    Within the parking district, the amount of off-street parking required shall be reduced by one off-street parking space for every on-street parking space adjacent to the development up to 100% of the required parking. On-street parking shall follow the established configuration of the City of Sisters existing on-street parking or be configured as required by the Public Works Director in accordance with the latest Transportation System Plan and Public Works Construction Standards. Acceptable on-street parking spaces shall include the following:

a.    Parking space dimensions consistent with 3.3.400.L.

b.    Curb space shall be 100% connected to the lot which contains the use;

c.    Parking spaces shall not obstruct a required clear vision area, nor any other parking that violates any law or street standard;

d.    On-street parking spaces credited for a specific use may not be used exclusively by that use, but shall be available for general public use at all times. No signs or actions limiting general public use of on-street spaces are permitted.

C.    Fee-In-Lieu of Parking. A Parking Development Fee, as established by the City Council, may be paid per parking space in-lieu of providing the required off-street parking spaces for a project in the downtown parking district. All in-lieu parking fees shall be paid prior to the issuance of a building permit.

D.    Floor Area. For the purpose of this chapter, “floor area” in the case of office, merchandising, restaurant or service types of uses means the gross floor area used or intended to be used by tenants, or for service to the public as customers, patrons, clients, or patients including areas occupied by fixtures and equipment used for display or sales of merchandise. It does not include areas used principally for non-public purposes, such as storage or restaurant kitchen facilities.

E.    Maximum Parking. The number of parking spaces provided by any particular use in ground-level surface parking lots shall not exceed the following;

1.    1 to 10 required parking spaces shall not exceed 20% or a maximum of 3 parking spaces

2.    11 to 100 required parking spaces shall not exceed 20% maximum

3.    More than 100 required parking spaces shall not exceed 10% maximum

Spaces provided on-street, or within the building footprint of structures, such as in rooftop parking, or under-structure parking, or in multi-level parking above or below surface lots, may not apply towards the maximum number of allowable spaces. Parking spaces provided through “shared parking” also do not apply toward the maximum number.

F.    More Than One Use On a Site. If more than one type of land use occupies a single structure or parcel of land, the total requirements for off-street automobile parking shall be the sum of the requirements for all uses, unless it can be shown that the peak parking demands are actually less (i.e., the uses operate on different days or at different times of the day). In that case, the total requirements shall be reduced accordingly.

G.    Electric vehicle charging station spaces shall be allowed to be used in the computation of required off-street parking spaces provided, that the electric vehicle charging station(s) is accessory to the primary use of the property.

H.    Unspecified Uses. Where a use is not specifically listed in this table, parking requirements shall be determined by finding that a use is similar to those listed in terms of parking needs. Similar uses shall be determined by the Community Development Director or designee.

A.    Tandem Parking. Only in the case of single-family, townhomes and duplex structures tandem parking may be permitted and shall not overhang into the right-of-way.

B.    Pavement. The parking area, aisles, and access drives shall be paved with asphalt, concrete or comparable surfacing so as to provide a durable, dustless surface and shall be so graded and drained as to dispose of surface water on-site. Properties located in the Light Industrial (LI) District shall refer to Chapter 2.6.

C.    Backing or Maneuvering of Vehicles. Except for residential developments requiring less than four parking spaces, vehicular backing or maneuvering movements shall not occur across public sidewalks or within any public street other than an alley, except as approved by the Community Development Director. Evaluations of requests for exceptions shall consider constraints due to lot patterns and effects on the safety and capacity of the adjacent public street and on bicycle and pedestrian facilities.

D.    Parking Maneuvering Areas and Driveways Adjacent to Buildings. Except for the Light Industrial District, where a parking or maneuvering area, or driveway, is adjacent to a building, the area shall be separated from the building by a raised pathway, plaza, or landscaped buffer no less than 6 feet in width. Raised curbs, bollards, wheel stops, or other design features shall be used to protect buildings from being damaged by vehicles. When parking areas are located adjacent to residential ground-floor living space, a landscape buffer is required to fulfill this requirement.

E.    Maximum Parking Lot Size. Off-street parking serving development shall be divided into multiple lots, as necessary, so that no single lot has more than one hundred twenty (120) parking spaces. Parking lots shall be separated with plazas, large landscape areas with pedestrian access ways (i.e., at least 20 feet total width), streets, or driveways with street-like features. Street-like features, for the purpose of this section, means a raised sidewalk of at least 6-feet in width, 6-inch curb, accessible curb ramps, street trees in planter strips or tree wells, and pedestrian-oriented lighting.

F.    Lighting. A parking facility serving an establishment which remains open during hours of darkness shall be provided with adequate illumination. Any lights provided to illuminate a parking facility shall be arranged so as to reflect the light away from any adjacent properties, streets, or highways consistent with the Dark Skies standards in Special Provisions.

G.    Off-site parking. Except for residential uses, the vehicle parking spaces required by this Chapter may be located on another parcel of land, provided the parcel is within 700 feet of the use it serves. The distance from the parking area to the use shall be measured from the nearest parking space to a building entrance, following a sidewalk or other pedestrian route. The right to use the off-site parking must be evidenced by a deed, lease, easement, or similar recorded written instrument subject to the review and approval of the Community Development Director.

H.    Shared parking. Required parking facilities for two or more uses, structures, or parcels of land may be satisfied by the same parking facilities used jointly, to the extent that the owners or operators show that the need for parking facilities does not materially overlap (e.g., uses primarily of a daytime versus nighttime nature), and provided that the right of joint use is evidenced by a deed, lease, contract, or similar recorded written instrument establishing the joint use subject to the review and approval of the Community Development Director.

I.    Parking Space Signage. Owners of off-street parking facilities may post a sign indicating that all parking on the site is available only for residents, customers and/or employees, as applicable. Signs shall conform to the standards of Chapter 3.4.

J.    Availability of Parking Spaces. Required vehicle and bicycle parking spaces shall be unobstructed, and available for parking of vehicles and bicycles of residents, customers, patrons, and employees only. Required spaces shall not be used for storage or sale of vehicles or materials, or for parking of vehicles or bicycles used in conducting the business or conducting the use, and shall not be used for sale, repair or servicing of any vehicle or bicycle. No repair work or servicing of vehicles shall be conducted on a public parking area, other than emergency service such as changing a tire or starting a motor.

K.    Maintenance. The provision and maintenance of off-street parking and loading spaces are the continuing obligation of the property owner.

L.    Parking Stall Standard Dimensions and Compact Car Parking. All off-street parking stalls shall be improved to conform to City standards for surfacing, stormwater management and striping, and provide dimensions in accordance with the following figure. Accessible parking spaces shall be provided in conformance with Section 3.3.400.M. The number of designated Compact Car Parking spaces shall not exceed 30% of the required off street parking spaces.

Figure 3.3.400.A – Parking Dimensions

M.    Accessible Parking Spaces. Where parking is provided accessory to an affected building, accessible parking shall be provided, constructed, striped, signed and maintained as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act and Oregon State Statutes. Accessible parking is included in the minimum number of required parking spaces (Note: State Law may change this Federal table.). The access aisle shall include “no parking.”

N.    See Chapter 3.2 Landscaping and Screening for additional standards.

A.    Any building intended to be used for retail, wholesale, warehouse, freight, hospital, industrial, manufacturing uses and similar uses shall be provided with off-street loading berths according to this schedule:

1.    One berth for each building containing 10,000 to 25,000 square feet of floor area.

2.    Two berths for each building containing 25,000+ square feet of floor area.

B.    Any building intended to be used for a hotel, eating or drinking establishments, community center, convention hall, medical clinics and other similar use shall be provided with off-street loading berths according to this schedule:

1.    One berth for each building containing 20,000 to 50,000 square feet of floor area.

2.    Two berths for each building containing 50,000+ square feet of floor area.

C.    Off-street loading facilities shall conform to the following standards:

1.    Each loading berth shall be at least 35 feet by 10 feet and shall have a minimum height clearance of 14".

2.    Such space may occupy all or any part of any required setback or court space, except front and exterior setbacks, and shall not be located closer than fifty (50) feet to any lot in any R District, unless enclosed on all sides by a masonry wall not less than eight (8) feet in height. In no case shall it be located in a required buffer area.

3.    Sufficient room for turning and maneuvering vehicles shall be provided on the site.

4.    The loading area, aisles, and access drives shall be paved so as to provide a durable, dustless surface and shall be so graded and drained so as to dispose of surface water without damage to private or public properties. Properties located in the Light Industrial (LI) District shall refer to Chapter 2.6.

5.    No repair work or servicing of vehicles shall be conducted in a loading area.

6.    Landscaping and screening are required in accordance with the standards of Chapter 3.2 Landscaping and Screening. Properties located in the Light Industrial (LI) District shall refer to Chapter 2.6.

7.    No on-site loading facilities shall be required where buildings abut an alley, provided that loading operations can be conducted from the alley in accordance with applicable access and parking ordinances, unless specified elsewhere.

8.    Space allocated to required off-street loading berths may be used to satisfy the requirements of off-street parking spaces provided the timing of their use is such as to create no conflict, as determined by the Community Development Director or designee.

All bicycle parking facilities required in conjunction with development shall conform to the standards in this Section.

A.    Number of Bicycle Parking Spaces. The following additional standards apply to specific types of development:

1.    Multi-Family Residences. Every residential use of four (4) or more dwelling units shall provide at least one bicycle parking space for each dwelling unit.

2.    Parking Lots. All public and commercial parking lots and parking structures shall provide a minimum of one bicycle parking space for every 10 motor vehicle parking spaces.

3.    Schools. Elementary and middle schools, both private and public, shall provide one bicycle parking space for every 10 students and employees. High schools shall provide one bicycle parking space for every 5 students and employees.

4.    Colleges and trade schools shall provide one bicycle parking space for every 5 motor vehicle spaces plus one space for every dormitory unit.

5.    All Other Uses. All uses which require off street parking, except as specifically noted, shall provide one bicycle parking space for every 10 required vehicle parking spaces.

6.    Multiple Uses. For buildings with multiple uses (such as a commercial or mixed use center), bicycle parking standards shall be calculated by using the total number of motor vehicle parking spaces required for the entire development. A minimum of one bicycle parking space for every 10 motor vehicle parking spaces is required.

B.    Exemptions. This Section does not apply to single family, two-family, and three-family housing (attached, detached or manufactured housing), home occupations, or other developments with fewer than 10 vehicle parking spaces.

C.    Hazards. Bicycle parking shall not impede or create a hazard to pedestrians. Parking areas shall be located so as not to conflict with vision clearance standards (Chapter 2.15 – Special Provisions).

D.    Location. Racks shall be conveniently located to the street and the building entrance (no farther away than the closest vehicle parking space), visible from sidewalks and entrances for security, as well lit as parking spaces, and clearly marked.

E.    Dimensions

1.    Bicycle parking spaces shall each be a minimum of six feet by two feet.

2.    Overhead clearance in covered areas shall be at least seven feet.

3.    A minimum five foot-wide aisle shall be provided beside or between each row of bicycle parking. Bicycle parking shall not interfere with pedestrian passage, leaving a clear area of at least five feet between bicycles and other existing and potential obstructions, or impede with the clear vision standards in Chapter 2.15 Special Provisions.

F.    Enclosure and Racks

1.    Bicycle parking facilities shall include lockable enclosures (lockers) in which the bicycle is stored, or stationary objects (racks) to which bicycles may be locked.

2.    Lockers and racks shall be securely anchored to the pavement or a structure.

3.    All bike racks shall have following design features:

a.    Inverted “U” style racks or similar design as illustrated below.

b.    Each rack shall provide each bicycle parking space with at least two points of contact for a standard bicycle frame and shall be sized to accommodate a standard U-lock.

c.    The bike rack shall have rounded surfaces and corners;

d.    The bike rack shall be coated in a material that will not damage the bicycle’s painted surfaces

e.    Bike racks shall be securely mounted to a hard surface, such as asphalt or concrete.

G.    Lighting. For security and convenience, lighting shall be provided in bicycle parking areas such that the facilities are thoroughly illuminated and visible from adjacent sidewalks and/or vehicle parking areas during all hours of use. Lighting shall be consistent with the Dark Skies standards in Chapter 2.15 Special Provisions.

The purpose of this chapter is to maintain or improve the aesthetic quality of the City’s residential and business environment in a manner which recognizes and balances the need for signs with other visual, aesthetic and safety concerns of the community.

All new or remodeled signs within the City Zoning districts shall require a permit, provided that they meet all standards and provisions of this ordinance. The permitting process may be administrative or if necessary, reviewed by a hearings body.

A.    The following definitions apply to this Chapter and supersede conflicting definitions in the Development Code.

1.    Alteration – Any change including but not limited to the size, content, shape, method of illumination, position, location, materials, construction, or supporting structure of a sign.

2.    Awning – An architectural projection that provides weather protection, identity or decoration and is wholly supported by the building to which it is attached. An awning is comprised of a lightweight, rigid skeleton structure over which a covering is attached.

3.    Billboard – A sign structure subject to the provisions of the Oregon Motorist Information Act of 1971 and erected for advertising space to promote an interest other than that of an individual, business, product or service available on the premises the billboard is located on.

4.    Building Directory Sign – A sign giving the name, address number or location of the occupants of a building or buildings.

5.    Building Face of Wall – All window and wall area of a building in one plane or elevation.

6.    Bulletin Board or Reader Board – A sign of a permanent nature, but which accommodates changeable copy to announce an event or attraction or used to convey a specific message related to the building or use of the property on which the bulletin board is located.

7.    Directional Sign – An on-premise sign designed to identify and locate an office, entrance, exit, motor vehicle route, telephone or similar place, service, or route.

8.    Directory Signs – Used for multi-tenant buildings to provide a directory of tenant locations within the building. They may also serve as the address sign for the property. Directory signs are small scale and are oriented to pedestrians.

9.    Display Surface – The area made available by the sign structure for the purpose of displaying a message thereon.

10.    Double-faced Sign – Signs which have only two sign surfaces back-to-back.

11.    Event (Community Event) – A significant and organized occurrence that is beyond the scope of day-to-day activities and that benefits the community at large. Community events may take place at single or multiple sites. Examples of a community event include, but are not limited to, the Sisters Rodeo, Quilt Show, music festival, farmer’s market, car show, fundraiser or Chamber of Commerce occurrence. Determination of whether an occurrence qualifies as a community event shall be determined by the CDD Director in the Director’s sole discretion.

12.    Externally Illuminated – A sign which is illuminated by an external source from which light is directed toward a sign so that the beam of light falls upon the exterior surface of the sign

13.    Flexible Sign – A windsock, flag, pennant, streamer or banner or similar sign or structure constructed of cloth, canvas or similar material, and hung from the building, or sign, which serves to identify the building or the business and/or attract attention to the business. The windsock, banner, pennant, flag or similar sign may or may not include copy or other graphic signs.

14.    Free-standing Sign. A sign supported by one or more uprights or braces and not attached or incidentally attached to any building or structure.

15.    Ground-mounted Sign – A permanently mounted sign which is not attached to any structure or building.

16.    Hanging Sign – Those which have one or more edges of the sign attached to a supporting structure above it.

17.    Internally Illuminated – A sign which is wholly or partially illuminated by an internal light source from which source light passes through the display surface to the exterior of the sign.

18.    Logo – Pictures, figures, symbols, letters, sign copy or similar graphic design which advertises or identifies a business, building or use.

19.    Monument Sign – A low profile, ground-mounted freestanding sign that is as an essential element of the design of the sign.

20.    Non-conforming Sign – An existing sign, lawful at the time of enactment of this Ordinance, which does not conform to the requirements of this Code.

21.    Off-site Sign – A business identification sign occupying space on private property which is not the property occupied by the business.

22.    Portable Sign – Any sign or other graphic, including an A-frame sign, which is designed to be or is capable of being transported from one place to another and not permanently affixed to a structure or building.

23.    Projecting Signs – Signs other than wall signs, which are attached to and project from a structure or building elevation, usually perpendicular to the building elevation.

24.    Roof Sign – A sign located on or above the roof of any building.

25.    Shopping Center/Business Complex – A group of three (3) or more commercial retail/industrial businesses which have been designed and developed together as an integral unit on a single parcel of land or separate parcels of land and which businesses utilize common off-street parking or access.

26.    Sign – Any structure, device, fixture or placard using graphics, symbols and/or written copy designed specifically for the purpose of advertising or identifying any business occupant, establishment, product, goods or services. However, a sign shall not include the following:

a.    Legal notices, identification, information or directional signs erected by governmental bodies or public utilities.

b.    Flags and insignia of a government, school, religious group, or nonprofit organization.

c.    A memorial plaque, tablet or cornerstone made an integral and permanent part of the building or structure.

d.    Signs within a building which cannot be seen from outside the building.

e.    Holiday decorations.

27.    Temporary Sign – A sign which is not permanently affixed. A banner, pennant, poster or advertising display constructed of cloth, canvas, flags, (not including flags of national, state or city governments) plastic, sheet, cardboard, wallboard, sheet metal, plywood or similar materials and intended to be displayed for a limited period of time. Temporary signs do not include portable signs.

28.    Wall Sign – A sign attached to or erected against the wall of a building with the face in a parallel plane of the building wall.

29.    Sign, Public – A sign erected by a public officer or employee in the performance of a public duty which shall include, but not be limited to, motorist informational signs and warning lights.

30.    Wayfinding Sign – An off-premise sign for the purpose of facilitating vehicular tourist to local tourist destinations as designated.

31.    Wind Sign – Any cloth or plastic or other flexible light material which is fastened together by wire, rope, cord, string or other means in such manner as to move by wind pressure and which are used or displayed to attract attention to a business, product, service or entertainment.

32.    Window Area – An individual pane of glass or a contiguous area of glass separated only by nonstructural elements of dissimilar (non-glass) material.

33.    Window Sign – A sign painted on, etched, attached to or placed upon glass surfaces of windows or doors of a building intended for viewing from the exterior of the building.

A.    Basis for Design. Sisters has a sense of time and place dating from the 1880’s. Signage at that time was pedestrian-oriented. The size, lettering and placement of signs were, for the most part, designed to attract the attention of foot and slower-moving horse traffic. The basis for design shall be compatible with the 1880’s Western Frontier Architectural Design Theme in Chapter 2.15, Special Provisions.

B.    Permitted Materials. Wood, stone, dimensional lumber, metal or iron or their visual equivalent are the recommended substrate materials for both the sign and the stanchion (in the case of ground mounted or monument signs).

C.    Signing Techniques shall be in conformance with the 1880’s Western Architectural Theme as defined in the Sisters Urban Area Comprehensive Plan and permitted as follows:

1.    Painting the sign directly on the facade of the building.

2.    Painting of a sign on a finished material or sign board which is subsequently affixed to the building.

3.    Affixing raised block letters directly on the facade of the building.

D.    Lettering Techniques shall be in conformance with the 1880’s Western Architectural Theme as defined in the Sisters Urban Area Comprehensive Plan and permitted as follows:

1.    Ornamental lettering, similar to in Exhibit A-1

E.    Illumination – no sign shall be erected or maintained which, by use of lights or illumination creates an unduly distracting and hazardous condition to a motorist, pedestrian or the general public. In addition:

1.    Signs may be externally illuminated by flood lights or other lighting approved by the Community Development Director or designee, located on wall or roof area adjacent to the sign intended to be illuminated with illumination directed down.

2.    No exposed reflective type bulb or incandescent lamp shall be exposed to direct view from a public street or highway but may be used for indirect light illumination of the display surface of a sign. This means that a person standing at the adjacent property line would not see the light emitting source.

3.    No external illumination devices shall be allowed to exceed the building height requirements of the underlying zone.

4.    All illumination shall comply with the Dark Skies Standards in Chapter 2.15, Special Provisions.

F.    Any sign or other graphic display which is supported by more than one means and, therefore, cannot be clearly defined as ground, wall, roof, hanging, awning, projecting, or other sign shall be administratively assigned to the sign category most logically applicable and the appropriate standards applied.

G.    All signs shall comply with the vision clearance standards.

H.    All signs shall be non-reflective materials and paint.

A.    The following signs or procedures shall not require a sign permit:

1.    The changing of advertising or message on an approved painted or printed sign or signs specifically designed for the use of replaceable copy, except for changing the name of the business or use advertised.

2.    Repainting, cleaning or other normal maintenance or repair of a sign or sign structure for which a Sign Permit approval has been given, so long as the sign design, color, material, content, etc. is not modified in such a way as to conflict with the intent of the ordinance.

3.    Real estate sign not exceeding twelve (12) square feet in area and six (6) feet in height, and unlighted which advertises the sale, rental or lease of the premises upon which the sign is located. Such signs shall be removed no later than fourteen (14) days after the sale or lease of, or expiration of the listing for such property.

4.    One development sign per development site which identify the architects, engineers, contractors and other individuals or firms involved in the construction (but not including any advertisement of any product) and signs announcing the character of the building enterprise or the purpose for which the building is intended, during the construction period, to a maximum area of thirty two (32) square feet. The signs shall be confined to the construction site and shall be removed not later than fourteen (14) days after the beginning of the intended use of the project. Construction signs are considered double sided when the faces are 90 degrees or less.

5.    One construction sign for an individual lot which identify the architects, engineers, contractors and other individuals or firms involved in the construction (but not including any advertisement of any product) and signs announcing the character of the building enterprise or the purpose for which the building is intended, during the construction period, to a maximum area of six (6) square feet. The signs shall be confined to the construction site and shall be removed not later than fourteen (14) days after the beginning of the intended use of the project.

6.    One on-site temporary subdivision sign not exceeding thirty-two (32) square feet in area and (10) ten feet in height for each recorded subdivision; provided that such signs shall be removed not later than two (2) years from the recording date of the subdivision or until building permits have been issued on all of the lots, whichever occurs first. Construction signs are considered double sided when the faces are 90 degrees or less.

7.    Temporary unlighted subdivision directional signs not exceeding sixteen (16) square feet in area and six (6) feet in height for each recorded subdivision as follows:

a.    When the boundaries of any recorded subdivision or any part thereof abut an arterial, as identified in the Sisters Comprehensive Plan, one (1) subdivision directional sign shall be permitted which may be located on any vacant lot or parcel which is owned by the subdivision owner.

b.    When the boundaries of any recorded subdivision, or any part thereof, do not abut an arterial as identified in the Sisters Comprehensive Plan, two (2) off-site subdivision directional signs shall be permitted, which signs may be located as follows:

1.    One such sign may be located on property not owned by the subdivision owner with the permission of the property owner on whose property it is to be located.

2.    One or both signs may be located only on property owned by the subdivision owner.

c.    Such signs shall be removed not later than two (2) years from the recording date of the subdivision or until building permits have been issued on all of the lots, whichever occurs first.

8.    Home occupation signs shall comply with the following:

a.    The sign may be wall or window mounted.

b.    The sign shall not exceed two (2) square feet in area.

c.    The sign shall indicate only the name and occupation of the resident

d.    The sign shall comply with the 1880’s Western Frontier Architectural Design Theme in Chapter 2.15, Special Provisions.

9.    Signs directing traffic movement onto or within premises, not exceeding three (3) square feet per sign and four (4) feet in height, excluding drive-through signage. The signs shall comply with the 1880’s Western Frontier Architectural Design Theme in Chapter 2.15, Special Provisions.

10.    Campaign/Political signs are allowed to be displayed without a permit provided the sign complies with the following:

a.    The sign shall only be located on private property, with the permission of the property owner.

b.    The sign shall not be illuminated.

c.    The sign shall not be located in a manner to cause any traffic or pedestrian safety issues.

d.    The sign shall not be installed more than 60 days prior to the election and removed within 3 days after.

e.    In Residential zones the sign is limited to a maximum of 6 square feet in area and if freestanding, not more than 4 feet in height.

f.    In all other zones (commercial, industrial mixed-use, etc.) the sign shall not exceed 32 square feet in area and if freestanding, 5 feet in height.

g.    Signs shall not be installed in a manner that is prohibited per code.

11.    Garage sale, yard sale, patio or other similar sale signs of a temporary nature. Such signs shall be placed no sooner than 48 hours before the sale begins and removed no later than 12 hours after the sale ends

12.    Any other signs that are state or federally regulated and are not required to comply with local sign requirements.

13.    Memorial tablets, cornerstones, or similar plaques not exceeding six square feet in size.

14.    Small illuminated/non-illuminated informational signs related to the operation of a business. Examples of such signs are “open/closed” signs and signs of a similar nature. Small illuminated/non-illuminated signs are permitted as follows;

a.    One sign per business elevation

b.    Three (3) square feet maximum per sign

c.    Two (2) colors maximum per sign

15.    Parking Space Signage. Owners of off-street parking facilities may post a sign indicating that all parking on the site is available only for residents, customers and/or employees, as applicable.

16.    Event-related A-Frame signs, announcing a community event are permitted subject to the following;

a.    City approval of qualifying signs, placement and duration is required before signs may be used. Written acceptance by the City shall be provided for qualifying signs.

b.    Signs are limited up to 16 square feet in area per sign.

c.    Up to 4 signs per venue are allowed.

d.    May be used up to 10 days in advance of the event.

e.    No sign permit is required. An encroachment permit is required when a sign is sited in public right of way. No fee is required for this permit.

f.    Signs shall be in compliance with the clear vision areas and ADA accessibility.

g.    Event-related A-Frame signs shall be removed within 72 hours of the end of the event.

17.    Menu signs, representative of those given to customers.

18.    One chalkboard shall be permitted to advertise specials & shall be no larger than 16" by 24" in size & shall be affixed to a building face of a wall of which it represents. Chalk of any color may be used and exempt from 1880s font;

19.    Public signs such as kiosks, historical markers, safety signs and street signs.

A.    No sign shall have or consist of any moving, rotating or otherwise animated part or any flashing, blinking, fluctuating or otherwise animated light. In addition, no sign shall approximate or resemble in any way an emergency light or sign. The provisions of this subsection shall not be applied so as to prohibit the following types of signs:

1.    A conventional clock face.

2.    An on-premises barber pole, of a length not to exceed 30 inches, of traditional design which shall be permitted to revolve during the time that a barbershop is open for business. The top of the pole shall not be more than ten feet six inches (10' 6") above the ground.

B.    Signs that are placed on, affixed to or painted on a motor vehicle or trailer and placed on public or private property for the primary purpose of providing a sign not otherwise permitted by this Ordinance. Signs on vehicles used in the normal course of business shall not be subject to this provision.

C.    Signs or sign structures that create a hazard by obstructing clear view of pedestrian and vehicular traffic.

D.    Service signs such as those identifying VISA or MasterCard shall not be attached to an approved sign. If such services are to be advertised as part of a permitted sign, the signs shall be integrated into the overall sign design and are subject to all requirements of this ordinance.

E.    No sign shall be attached to or placed against a building or other structure in such a manner as to prevent or inhibit ingress or egress through any door or window required or designated for access to any building, nor shall any sign obstruct or be attached to a fire escape.

F.    Signs in right-of-way. Signs shall not be located in or extended onto public rights of way except as otherwise provided in this ordinance. Traffic control signs and devices installed by the governmental entity responsible for the right-of-way and City signs are exempt from this prohibition.

G.    Noise-emitting signs. Signs that emit sounds.

H.    Billboards shall not be allowed within the City of Sisters or the Urban Growth Boundary.

I.    No neon tubing sign or decoration shall be allowed on or in a building which is visible from the exterior of the building except as otherwise provided in this ordinance.

J.    No sign shall be internally illuminated except as specifically allowed by this ordinance. Internally illuminated signs are signs which are wholly or partially illuminated by an internal light source from which source light passes through the display surface to the exterior of the sign. Illuminated signs are prohibited within six feet of inside windows, whose illuminated face(s) are visible from the street;

K.    No colored lights shall be used at any location or in any manner so as to be confused with or construed as traffic control devices.

L.    Billboards or off-premises advertising signs, wind signs or devices.

M.    Sandwich boards, A-frame, bench and portable signs are prohibited when way-finding signs are available. Portable signs, such as A-frame signs, shall comply with the following requirements:

1.    All portable signs require a permit from the Community Development Department prior to placement, which shall be renewed by the applicant on an annual basis as long as portable signs continue to be placed upon the premises and the wayfinding signs are not available. An annual permit fee as established by City Council Resolution shall be charged. Applicant shall provide the Community Development Department with sign models and proposed sign locations prior to issuance of the permit. Permits will be issued for those signs meeting the Sign Ordinance criteria.

2.    Portable signs shall be securely anchored to the ground.

3.    No portable sign shall affect easements, nor restrict or impede pedestrians or disabled persons. Portable signs shall not restrict the clear vision of pedestrians or vehicles. Portable signs shall only be permitted in locations on private property as approved by the Community Development Director or designee.

4.    Portable signs shall be no larger than sixteen (16) square feet per side. Sign size within the allowed parameters may be regulated by the Community Development Department depending on location and safety considerations

5.    Each business shall be allowed one (1) sign per entrance, with sign placed within ten (10) feet of the primary public entrance or occupied building space, but no business may have more than two (2) portable signs.

6.    Signs shall be displayed only during business hours.

7.    Sign shall include the business name and may include products sold or offered.

N.    Exposed vending machines, such as those used to dispense soft drinks, not including newspaper and magazine stands.

O.    Signs attached to trees, telephone poles, public benches, street lights or placed on any public property or public right-of-way.

P.    Roof signs that exceed the height of the existing building or structure.

A.    Sign Permit Required. A sign permit is required in each of the following instances:

1.     Upon the erection of any new sign except exempted signs.

2.    To make alteration to an existing sign, including a change in the size or materials. Permits shall not be required for minor maintenance and repairs to existing signs.

3.    To alter an existing non-conforming sign.

4.    To erect a temporary sign for a new business.

B.    Required Information for a Sign Permit. For the purposes of review by the Community Development Director or designee and Building Official, a drawing to scale shall be submitted which indicates fully the material, color, texture, dimensions, shape, lighting, relation and attachment to building and other structures, structural elements of the proposed sign, and the size and dimensions of any other signs located on the applicant’s building or property.

C.    Sign Permit Fee. The applicant shall pay the required fee as established by the City Council. It is unlawful for any person to erect, repair, alter, relocate or maintain within this City, any sign or other graphic display except as provided in this ordinance. When a sign is erected or placed prior to approval of a required sign permit, the sign permit application fee shall be doubled. Payment of the double fee shall not relieve an applicant from fully complying with the requirements of this ordinance or from any penalties prescribed herein.

D.    Either the Community Development Director or the applicant shall have the right to refer a Sign Permit application directly to the Planning Commission in lieu of the normal process for Sign Permits.

A.    The following criteria shall be used in measuring a sign to determine compliance with this ordinance:

1.    Area. The area of the sign surface is computed by calculating the area encompassed within any regular geometric figure which would enclose all parts of the sign (excluding structural supports, provided they are not used to attract attention).

2.    Double-faced signs. Allowable sign square footage applies to only one side of double-faced signs.

3.    Clearance. Clearance of a sign is measured from the average grade at the base of the sign to the lowest point of the sign.

4.    Height. Signs shall comply with the following requirements:

a.    Height is measured from the grade of the curb line closest to the base of the sign to the highest point of the sign. In the absence of a curb line, the edge of the street pavement shall be used. In the absence of street pavement, the average finish grade shall be used to measure the height.

b.    The maximum height of any sign shall be as stated herein, but in no case shall a ground mounted sign exceed fifteen (15) feet in height. No ground mounted sign shall project above the roof line of any building.

c.    Height. The height of an attached sign shall not exceed the ridgeline of the building or the top of the false facade.

5.    Logos shall be considered as part of the allowable sign area and are encouraged to comply with the 1880s Western Architectural Frontier Design Theme.

A.    Residential Zones

1.    Except as specified herein, sign regulations for non-residential uses are as follows:

a.    One bulletin board or monument sign not exceeding twenty five (25) square feet in area and six (6) feet in height when associated with churches, synagogues, civic or similar organizations.

b.    Awnings and wall signs limited to one-half square foot in combined sign area for each horizontal lineal foot of any wall. Awning and wall signs may have external illumination only; no internal illumination shall be permitted.

2.    For residential facilities and multiple family developments and mobile home parks containing four (4) or more units there may be one identification sign limited to twenty (20) square feet in area and not exceeding six (6) feet in height located at each entrance to the park or building complex. In addition, at each entrance, there may be an externally lit sign not to exceed fifteen (15) square feet in area containing a map showing the location of individual sites or units.

3.    Permanent Subdivision Signs. One (1) monument sign not to exceed 20 square feet in area and a maximum height of four feet. The subdivision sign shall be permitted at the primary street entrance into the subdivision.

4.    Bed and Breakfast Signs. One (1) freestanding, on-premise sign not to exceed six (6) square feet in area and six feet (6') in height.

B.    All Other Districts

Sign regulations for all other Districts are as follows:

1.    Wall, Awning, Projecting, and Roof Signs

a.    Each business shall be allowed a maximum of two of the following signs per elevation; wall, awning, projecting, or roof sign. The face of a wall projecting from another wall shall not be considered part of the adjoining wall. Awning, projecting, hanging and wall signs shall be located on the portion of a building wherein the use or occupancy is conducted.

Examples of Allowable Sign Areas:

Area A = 72 s.f.

Allowable sign area = 10.8 s.f.

Area B = 90 s.f.

Allowable sign area = 13.5 s.f.

Area C = 208 s.f.

Allowable sign area = 31.2 s.f.

b.    Area of Front Building Facade. When the area of the building elevation is used to determine sign area, said area shall be computed by multiplying the width of the building frontage or portion thereof by the height of the building or portion thereof which are devoted to the particular business. “False fronts” and mansard roofs shall be included when calculating the area of the building facade.

c.    Lettering may include the name and logo of the business and a general description of the products or services provided by the business, but shall not include brand names or logos of specific products.

d.    Wall Signs.

1.    Wall signs may not stand more than twelve (12) inches away from the wall.

2.    Wall signs shall not exceed two hundred (200) square feet in area per elevation, except in the Downtown Commercial (DC) District where they are limited to fifty (50) square feet in area per sign per elevation

3.    Total wall signage shall not exceed fifteen percent (15%) of the wall area in square feet on each facade.

4.    The top of a wall sign shall not exceed the ridgeline of the building or the top of the false facade.

e.    Awning Sign.

1.    The maximum total area for each awning sign shall be based on the horizontal lineal length of the awning where the sign is to be located. Awning signs shall not exceed one square foot per two horizontal lineal feet of awning.

2.    The area of a sign on an awning shall be deducted from the wall sign area permitted.

3.    Supports, posts or columns beyond the property line will not be permitted.

4.    Lettering shall be painted or otherwise permanently placed.

5.    The lowest point of the awning must be at least eight (8) feet above the sidewalk.

f.    Projecting Signs.

1.    Where a building is built to the property line, a “Projecting” sign may extend over the public right-of-way. The signs’ supporting structure shall not extend more than 42 inches from the building wall and the sign itself can be no more than 36 inches wide and 16 square feet in area per face. A minimum 7 (seven) foot clearance from the bottom of the sign to finished grade is required. Alleys require a minimum 14 foot clearance. Projecting signs are not permitted over the Oregon Department of Transportation’s (ODOT) right-of-way.

2.    The top of a projecting sign shall not exceed the ridgeline of the building or the top of the false facade.

3.    A reduction in the required clearance height of the sign may be permitted by the CDD Director or designee if findings can be made that (1) the sign is not located over any vehicle, bicycle or pedestrian walkway; (2) that no vision clearance areas are affected by the reduction, and (3) that the reduced height will not adversely impact any neighboring structures or uses.

g.    Roof Signs.

1.    Roof signs shall not exceed 50 square feet in area and no taller than 3 feet in height per roof.

2.    Total roof signage per sign shall not exceed fifteen percent (15%) of the wall area below roof line.

3.    The top of a roof sign shall not exceed the ridgeline of the building or the top of the false facade.

2.    Permanent Window Signs

a.    The total area of such permanent window signs, in combination with temporary window signs, shall not exceed 25% of the total window area.

b.    The sign area of each window sign shall be deducted from the maximum sign area permitted on the elevation. See wall signs.

c.    Permanent window signs shall not be illuminated.

d.    Hours of operation or open/close signs shall not count towards sign allowance

3.    Ground Mounted Signs.

a.    Ground mounted signs shall only be permitted in the Highway Commercial (HC) District and Public Facility and Institutional (PFI) District.

b.    Ground mounted signs shall not exceed thirty-two (32) square feet in area.

c.    Ground mounted signs shall not exceed fifteen (15) feet in height. No ground mounted sign shall project above the roof line of any building.

d.    A ground mounted sign shall not be located within ten (10) feet of any other sign within any street right of way (stop signs, etc.)

e.    No more than one (1) ground mounted sign shall be permitted for each lot.

f.    Sign supports shall be compatible with the design requirements and intent of the 1880’s Western Frontier Architectural Design Theme in Chapter 2.15, Special Provisions.

4.    Monument Signs –

a.    Monuments signs shall not exceed twenty-five (25) square feet in area.

b.    The bottom of the sign shall not be more than four feet (4') from the ground.

c.    Monument signs shall not exceed six (6) feet in height.

d.    A monument sign shall not be located within ten (10) feet of any other sign within any street right of way (stop signs, etc.)

e.    No more than one (1) monument sign shall be permitted for each lot.

f.    Sign supports shall be compatible with the design requirements and intent of the 1880’s Architectural Design Theme.

g.    Downtown Commercial (DC) District

1.    Monument sign shall be located more than ten (10) feet behind the front or exterior side property line.

2.    No more than one monument sign shall be permitted for each lot.

5.    Directory Signs

A.    Directory signs may be free standing or may be fixed on an exterior wall. Free standing Directory signs for Downtown Commercial (DC) District, see B below.

1.    One directory sign may be permitted per premises.

2.    Directory signs shall be no larger than 12 square feet in area, and individual letters shall not exceed 6 inches in height.

3.    Directory signs shall have a maximum height of 5 feet.

B.    Free standing directory signs located in the Downtown Commercial District shall only be permitted for shopping centers.

1.    One free standing or wall directory sign may be permitted per premises.

2.    Free standing directory signs shall be no larger than 6 square feet in area, and individual letters shall not exceed 6 inches in height.

3.    Free standing Directory signs shall have a maximum height of 4 feet.

6.    Shopping Center Signs

a.    A shopping center shall be allowed one (1) ground mounted sign in compliance with Section 3.4.900.B.3 indicating the total shopping center use or listing of uses.

b.    A shopping center in the Downtown Commercial (DC) District shall refer to Section 3.4.900.B.5.B. The lettering for the listing of such uses shall be of a size not greater than one-half the size of the lettering of the shopping center name on such sign.

c.    In addition, each business in the shopping center will be allowed signage in compliance with Section 3.4.900 B.

d.    No additional ground mounted or monument signs shall be allowed within the shopping center

7.    Drive Through Menu Boards

a.    Menu boards shall be located out of the setbacks.

b.    Maximum height of this sign shall be 8 feet and maximum size shall be 30 square feet.

c.    Each drive through will be limited to 2 menu boards.

8.    Service Station Price Signs

a.    In compliance with Section 3.4.900.B.3, when a lot or parcel of land is used for gasoline service station purposes there may be a maximum of one ground mounted changeable copy sign for the purpose of advertising gasoline prices subject to the following standards:

1.    That such sign shall advertise only the name of the business, price of the gasoline sold and the hours of operation.

2.    Such sign shall not exceed an area of thirty-two (32) square feet.

3.    Such sign shall not exceed fifteen feet (15) feet in height. No ground mounted sign shall project above the roof line of any building.

4.    All signs shall comply with the 1880’s Western Frontier Design Theme including interchangeable gasoline prices.

5.    No other ground mounted or monument signs shall be permitted.

9.    Building Identification Name

a.    One Building identification name shall be permitted per building. The sign shall be in compliance with Section 3.4.900 Requirements for Signs by Specific Zone.

10.    Hanging Signs

a.    Hanging signs shall maintain a minimum 7 (seven) foot clearance above pathways from the bottom of the sign to finished grade. Hanging signs are not permitted over the Oregon Department of Transportation’s (ODOT) right-of-way.

b.    Three hanging signs are allowed per elevation.

c.    Individual hanging signs shall not exceed 6 square feet in area.

d.    A reduction in the required clearance height of the sign may be permitted by the CDD Director or designee if findings can be made that (1) the sign is not located over any vehicle, bicycle or pedestrian pathway; (2) that no vision clearance areas are affected by the reduction, and (3) that the reduced height will not adversely impact any neighboring structures or uses. [Ord. 528 § 4 (Exh. K), 2023].

A.    Window. Temporary signs placed upon a window opening are allowed when such signs do not obscure more than twenty-five (25) percent of the window area, and are maintained for a period not exceeding thirty (30) days where upon they shall be removed. The total area of such temporary window signs, in combination with permanent window signs, shall not exceed 25% of the total window area. Temporary window sign’s font and color shall comply with the 1880’s Western Design Theme.

B.    On-site Temporary signs, other than window signs and limited duration event portable A-frame signs, shall be displayed not more than 14 consecutive days. Two on-site temporary sign permits are permitted at one time and used during the same time duration. In no case shall a new on-site temporary sign permit be issued until 45 days after the last approval ended.

C.    Seasonal Signage which may be displayed for 30 days prior to the event and removed the day after the event. No extensions of these times shall be permitted.

D.    Temporary signs, other than window signs and limited duration event portable A-frame signs, as defined herein have a separate permit procedure. Temporary sign applications shall be made on forms provided by the Community Development Department. A temporary sign permit fee, as established by the City Council, shall be paid prior to the issuance of a temporary sign permit. If the sign is not displayed as required by this ordinance and not removed the day after the event, the deposit is forfeited and the responsible party notified. If the temporary sign is not then removed, City employees or their agents shall remove the sign and the responsible party billed for removal.

E.    Prohibited Signs. Inflatable or lighter than air signs and/or devices used for advertisement are expressly prohibited.

F.    Location. Temporary signs shall not be displayed in the public right of way, and shall have the permission of the property owner on which they are displayed.

F.    Size. Temporary signs shall be a maximum of twenty (20) square feet in area.

G.    Off-site Temporary Sign. Off-site temporary signs are limited to Events (Community Events). Banners shall be allowed to be hung for 2 weeks (14 consecutive days) prior to an event, and shall be removed within 3 days of the event’s completion.

3.4.1200 Reserved

3.4.1300 Non-Conforming, Illegal and Abandoned Signs

A.    A non-conforming sign shall not be replaced, altered, reconstructed, relocated or expanded in any manner unless it is made to conform with all the provisions of this article except as follow:

1.    Other non-conforming signs on the same property need not be made to conform as a result; however, they are encouraged to comply.

2.    Change in copy shall be permitted if no structural changes in the sign are necessary except that no change in copy shall be permitted for non-conforming painted wall signs.

3.    Ordinary maintenance and minor repairs which will not increase the normal life of the sign and which are required for safety purposes shall be permitted. Structural alterations to a non-conforming sign are prohibited unless they are made to conform to all requirements of the Development Code.

B.    If the use identified by a non-conforming sign is abandoned for a period of not less than ninety (90) days, the sign shall be removed unless it is made to conform to the provisions of this Section. If such sign is not made to conform or if it is not removed within one hundred twenty (120) days from the time the use is abandoned, it shall thereafter be unlawful. “Abandoned” shall mean cessation of operation or change of use. “Abandoned” shall not mean an ownership change or a name change as long as there is no cessation of the operation for longer than ninety (90) days and the use is not changed. [Ord. 533 § 3 (Exh. M), 2023].

A.    A non-conforming sign shall not be replaced, altered, reconstructed, relocated or expanded in any manner unless it is made to conform with all the provisions of this article except as follow:

1.    Other non-conforming signs on the same property need not be made to conform as a result; however, they are encouraged to comply.

2.    Change in copy shall be permitted if no structural changes in the sign are necessary except that no change in copy shall be permitted for non-conforming painted wall signs.

3.    Ordinary maintenance and minor repairs which will not increase the normal life of the sign and which are required for safety purposes shall be permitted. Structural alterations to a non-conforming sign are prohibited unless they are made to conform to all requirements of the Development Code.

B.    If the use identified by a non-conforming sign is abandoned for a period of not less than ninety (90) days, the sign shall be removed unless it is made to conform to the provisions of this Section. If such sign is not made to conform or if it is not removed within one hundred twenty (120) days from the time the use is abandoned, it shall thereafter be unlawful. “Abandoned” shall mean cessation of operation or change of use. “Abandoned” shall not mean an ownership change or a name change as long as there is no cessation of the operation for longer than ninety (90) days and the use is not changed. [Ord. 533 § 3 (Exh. M), 2023].

A.    All signs together with all their supports, braces, guys and anchors shall be kept in good repair and be maintained in a safe condition. All signs and the site on which they are located shall be maintained in a neat, clean and attractive condition. Signs shall be kept free from deterioration. The display surfaces, trims, frames and supports of all signs shall be kept neatly painted or otherwise neatly maintained as applicable. No person shall scatter, daub or leave any paint, paste or glue or other substance used for painting or affixing a message to the display surface of any sign or throw or permit to be scattered or throw any bills, waste matter, paper, cloth or materials of whatsoever kind removed from a sign on any public street, sidewalk or private property.

A.    If the Building Official shall find that any sign regulated in this chapter is unsafe or insecure, or is a menace to the public, or has been constructed or erected or is being maintained in violation of the provisions of this chapter, the Building Official shall give written notice to the permittee thereof. If the permittee fails to remove or alter the structure so as to comply with the standard set forth in this chapter, within ten days after such notice, such sign may be removed or altered to comply by the city at the expense of the permittee or owner of the property upon which it is located. The Building Official may cause any sign or other advertising structure which is an immediate peril to persons or property to be removed summarily and without notice.

B.    The owner of any sign, including supporting structures, shall keep the same in a presentable condition at all times. All painted signs, and all supporting structures of any sign, shall be repainted whenever such action is necessary to keep them in good condition.

C.    Any sign which no longer advertises a bona fide business conducted, or a product available for purchase by the public, shall be taken down and removed within six months of closing by the owner, agent or person having the beneficial use of the building or structure upon which such sign may be found, within thirty (30) days after written notification from the Building Official, and upon failure to comply with such notice within the time specified in such order, the Building Official is hereby authorized to cause removal of such sign, and any expense incident thereto shall be paid by the owner of the building or structure to which such sign is attached, or, if the sign is not attached to a building, by the owner of the sign.

D.    Any signage that is determined by the City to be in violation of these sign regulations is subject to citation and associated fine as established in subsection 3.4.1600 herein.

A.    Violation of any portion of Chapter 3.4 of this Development Code is a Class A Violation.

LETTER STYLES

A.    Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is to provide requirements for design and construction of public and private infrastructure including: transportation facilities; sewer, water and other utilities; and drainage features and activities. One of the primary purposes of this chapter is to provide standards for attractive and safe streets that can accommodate vehicle traffic from planned growth, and provide a range of transportation options, including options for driving, walking, bicycling, transit and other transportation modes.

B.    Public Improvements Needed for Development. Development shall not occur unless the public improvements serving the development comply with the public facility requirements established or incorporated by this chapter, unless compliance is exempted by this code or unless the applicable standard is modified, waived, deferred, or a payment made in lieu.

C.    Compliance with Standards. All public improvements constructed as part of a development or to comply with a condition of development approval shall comply with all applicable standards, including but not limited to any public works standards and specifications.

D.    Conditions of Development Approval. The City may deny an application for development approval or a request for a building permit if required public improvements are not in place, waived, modified, deferred, or a payment made in lieu in accordance with this Chapter. [Ord. 505 § 2 (Exh. D), 2020].

A.    Purpose. The City desires to establish uniform public improvement requirements, but recognizes there are circumstances where public improvement requirements cannot reasonably be met or it is not otherwise appropriate to require full public improvements to be installed prior to or concurrent with development. This section allows for flexibility under those circumstances.

B.    Authority to Grant Waiver, Modification, Deferral, or Payment in Lieu. Waivers, modifications, deferrals, and/or payment in lieu of satisfying the standards of this chapter and/or the public works standards and specifications may be granted as part of a development approval or as a condition of issuing a building permit at the discretion of the City Engineer. The City Engineer has direction to establish the terms and conditions of any waiver, modification, deferral, and/or payment in lieu granted pursuant to this section including, without limitation, requiring alternative improvements, memorializing any deferral to be memorialized in a recorded instrument, requiring a signed agreement not to remonstrate against the formation of a local improvement district, and/or determining the amount of the payment in lieu.

C.    Other Requirements Not Waived. Any waivers, modification, deferral, or payment in lieu granted under this section does not exempt the developer from submitting plans which meet all other applicable criteria, standards, and specifications.

D.    Application Requirements. The application for a waiver, modification, deferral, or payment in lieu shall be in writing submitted as part of a development application. The applicant will be responsible for all costs associated with reviewing and implementing any waiver, modification, deferral, or payment. The application shall specify which requirement(s) of this chapter and/or the public works standards and specifications are at issue. The application shall contain a statement explaining why the deviation from the required standards is necessary and why the waiver, modification, deferral, or payment in lieu sought will not harm and/or will be beneficial to the general public. [Ord. 505 § 2 (Exh. D), 2020].

A.    Development Requirements. No development shall occur unless the development has frontage or approved access to a public or private street, in conformance with the provisions of SDC Chapter 3.1, and the following standards are met:

1.    Streets within or adjacent to a development shall be improved in accordance with the City’s Transportation System Plan (TSP), public works standards and specifications, provisions of this chapter and other pertinent sections of this code.

2.    Public street right-of-way shall be dedicated to the public and developers of private streets shall grant an easement for use by the public in a form satisfactory to the City.

3.    All new and/or existing streets and alleys shall be paved and otherwise in accordance with the public works standards and specifications.

B.    Street Location, Width and Grade. Except as noted below, the location, width and grade of all streets shall conform to the Transportation System Plan and the public works standards and specifications, the provisions of this chapter and any approved street plan or subdivision plat. Street location, width and grade shall be determined in relation to existing and planned streets, topographic conditions, public convenience and safety, and in appropriate relation to the proposed use of the land to be served by such streets.

1.    Street grades shall be designed and/or constructed per the public works standards and specifications.

2.    The location of streets in a development shall:

a.    Adhere to alignments set forth in the Transportation System Plan;

b.    Adhere to any approved street plan or subdivision plat; and/or

c.    Otherwise provide for the continuation and connection of existing streets in the surrounding areas, conforming to the street standards of this chapter.

C.    Minimum Rights-of-Way and Street Sections. Street rights-of-way and improvements shall be the widths established in the Transportation System Plan. Additional right-of-way may be required at intersections to accommodate intersection widening and roundabouts.

D.    Special Setbacks.

1.    Purpose. The purpose of this subsection is to ensure that adequate rights-of-way will be available for the appropriate street improvements as the City grows and that there will be no conflicts with the built environment.

2.    Applicability. The special setback standards shall be applied to any lot or parcel that abuts a public right-of-way.

3.    Setback.

a.    Unless waived, all buildings or structures shall be set back from planned future rights-of-way the minimum distance established in the applicable zoning district.

b.    Unless waived under Section 3.5.150, the special setback from existing substandard width rights-of-way shall comply with Table A.

    Note: The additional setback line shall be an assumed property boundary for the purpose of sidewalk construction.

E.    Street Alignment and Connections.

1.    Staggering of streets making “T” intersections shall be located to conform with the spacing standards contained in the Transportation System Plan and SDC Chapter 3.1.

2.    All streets that abut a development site shall be extended within the site to provide through circulation, unless prevented by environmental or topographical constraints, existing development patterns or compliance with other standards in this code. This exception applies only when it is not possible to redesign or reconfigure the street pattern to provide required extensions. Land is considered topographically constrained if the slope is greater than 15 percent for a distance of 250 feet or more. In the case of environmental or topographical constraints, the mere presence of a constraint is not sufficient to show that a street connection is not possible. The applicant must show why the environmental or topographic constraint precludes a street connection.

3.    In order to promote efficient vehicular and pedestrian circulation throughout the City, the design of developments and alignment of new streets shall conform to the standards in SDC Chapter 3.1.

F.    Sidewalks, Planter Strips, Curbs, Bicycle Lanes. Sidewalks, planter strips, curbs and bicycle lanes must be installed in conformance with the applicable provisions of the Transportation System Plan, the public works standards and specifications, and the following standards:

1.    The planter strip distance is measured from the face of the curb to the inside edge of the sidewalk.

2.    Sidewalks must be separated from the street by a planter strip and placed at the property line, where practicable, or as otherwise directed by the City Engineer.

3.    In areas with high pedestrian volumes, the City Engineer may approve a minimum 10-foot-wide sidewalk, curb tight, with street trees in tree wells and/or landscape planters.

4.    Bicycle lanes must be constructed on all collector and arterial streets unless otherwise designated.

5.    Planter strips are not required on T-courts.

6.    Where practical, sidewalks will be allowed to meander around existing trees in conformance with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

7.    Sidewalks/multi-use paths and curbs must be constructed where shown on the TSP Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan.

G.    Intersection Angles. Streets shall be laid out so as to intersect at an angle as near to a right angle as practicable.

H.    Existing Rights-of-Way. Whenever existing rights-of-way adjacent to or within a property are of less than standard width, additional rights-of-way shall be provided at the time of development to meet minimum standards in the Transportation System Plan.

I.    Cul-de-Sacs. Cul-de-sacs are only permitted when existing development, topographical features, and similar circumstances prevent the continuation of a street. Cul-de-sacs must be designed in a manner consistent with the public works standards and specifications.

J.    Curbs, Curb Cuts, Ramps, and Driveway Approaches. Concrete curbs, curb cuts, curb ramps, bicycle ramps and driveway approaches shall be constructed in accordance with SDC Chapter 3.1, and applicable public works standards and specifications.

K.    Private Streets. Private streets, when allowed, shall connect with public streets to complete the City’s transportation system grid where practical.

L.    Street Names. No street name shall be used that will duplicate or be confused with the names of existing streets in Deschutes County, except for extensions of existing streets. Street names, signs and numbers shall conform to the established pattern in the surrounding area, except as requested by emergency service providers, and shall comply with the public works standards and specifications.

M.    Survey Monuments. Upon completion of a street improvement and prior to acceptance by the City, it shall be the responsibility of the developer’s registered professional land surveyor to provide certification to the City that all boundary and interior monuments shall be re-established and protected.

N.    Street Signs. The City, County or State with jurisdiction shall install all signs for traffic control. The cost of signs required for new development, including stop signs and any other roadway signs, shall be the responsibility of the developers and shall be installed as part of the street system developed and approved through the land use process. Street name signs shall be installed by developers at all street intersections per public works standards and specifications.

O.    Street Light Standards. Street lights shall be installed in accordance with the public works standards and specifications. [Ord. 505 § 2 (Exh. D), 2020].

A.    Sewers and Water Mains Required. Sanitary sewers and water mains must be installed to serve each new development and to connect developments to existing mains in accordance with the public works standards and specifications.

B.    Sewer and Water Plan Approval. Construction of sewer and water improvements cannot commence until the City Engineer has approved all sanitary sewer and water plans in conformance with public works standards and specifications.

C.    Public Facility Plan Improvements. Proposed sewer and water systems must be sized to accommodate additional development within the area as projected by the applicable public facility plans. The developer may be entitled to system development charge credits and reimbursement for the improvements if eligible under the applicable provisions of the Sisters Municipal Code.

D.    Inadequate Capacity. Development may be restricted by the City where a deficiency exists in the existing water or sewer system that cannot be rectified by the development and which, if not rectified, will result in a threat to public health or safety, or surcharging of existing mains, or violations of State or Federal standards pertaining to operation of domestic water and sanitary sewer treatment systems.

E.    Water and Sewer Collection Service Outside the Urban Growth Boundary. The City may establish water and sewer collection or treatment facilities outside the urban growth boundary, including, but not limited to, the extension of sewer interceptor lines to serve lands in the urban growth boundary more efficiently by traversing outside the urban growth boundary, or to connect to treatment facilities outside of the urban growth boundary. [Ord. 505 § 2 (Exh. D), 2020].

A.    Storm Drainage Improvements Required. Storm drainage facilities shall be depicted on City-approved engineered construction drawings and installed to serve each new development in accordance with applicable public works standards and specifications.

B.    Easements for Existing Watercourses. Where an existing watercourse traverses a development, such as a natural watercourse, drainage way, channel or stream, or any other existing drainage facility including but not limited to irrigation canals, laterals and associated ditches, there shall be provided and recorded an easement conforming substantially with the lines of such existing watercourses and such further width as will be adequate for conveyance and maintenance, as determined by the City Engineer.

C.    Easements for Developed Drainage Facilities. Where new drainage facilities are provided that include elements located outside the dedicated public right-of-way, such facilities shall be located within an area provided for in a recorded easement. The easement shall be adequate for conveyance and maintenance as determined by the City Engineer. [Ord. 505 § 2 (Exh. D), 2020].

A.    Underground Utilities. All utility lines including, but not limited to, those required for electric, communication, lighting and cable television services and related facilities, shall be placed underground, except for surface-mounted transformers; surface-mounted connection boxes and meter cabinets; temporary utility service facilities during construction; and high capacity electric lines operating at 50,000 volts or above, which may be placed above ground.

The following additional standards apply to all development, in order to facilitate underground placement of utilities:

1.    The developer shall make all necessary arrangements with the serving utility to provide the underground services. All above-ground equipment shall not obstruct clear vision areas and safe intersection sight distance for vehicular traffic in conformance with SDC Chapter 3.1.

2.    The City reserves the right to approve the location of all surface-mounted facilities.

3.    All underground utilities, including sanitary sewers and storm drains installed in streets by the developer, shall be constructed prior to the surfacing of the streets.

4.    Stubs for service connections shall be long enough to avoid disturbing the street improvements when service connections are made.

B.    Easements. Easements shall be provided and recorded for all underground utility facilities where required by the City. [Ord. 505 § 2 (Exh. D), 2020].

A.    Requirement. Easements for sewer facilities, storm drainage, water facilities, street facilities, electric lines or other public/private utilities shall be dedicated on a final plat, or other instrument approved by the City.

B.    Provision. The developer or applicant shall make arrangements with the City, the applicable district and each utility franchise for the provision and dedication of utility easements necessary to provide full services to the development.

C.    Standard Width. The City’s standard width for exclusive public main line utility easements shall be 20 feet, unless otherwise specified by the utility company, applicable district, or City Engineer. [Ord. 505 § 2 (Exh. D), 2020].

A.    Plan Approval and Permit. Public improvements, including sanitary sewers, storm sewers, streets, sidewalks, curbs, lighting, parks, or other requirements, shall not be undertaken except after the plans have been approved by the City and the developer has paid permit fees, received a permit, and executed any agreements required by City. The amount of the permit fee shall be set by City Council with the annual adoption of a fees resolution.

B.    Performance Guarantee. The City may require the developer to provide bonding or other performance guarantees to ensure completion of required public improvements.

C.    Work within the Public Rights-of-Way. The City shall approve all contractors and their subcontractors who work in City rights-of-way. [Ord. 505 § 2 (Exh. D), 2020].

A.    Conformance Required. Improvements installed by the developer, either as a requirement of these regulations or at his/her own option, shall conform to the requirements of this chapter, approved construction plans, and to improvement standards and specifications adopted by the City, referenced within the public works standards and specifications.

B.    Commencement. Work shall not begin until the City has reviewed and approved the construction plans and notified the contractor of the approval.

C.    Resumption. If work is discontinued for more than one month, it shall not be resumed until the City is notified in writing.

D.    City Inspection. Improvements shall be constructed under the inspection and to the satisfaction of the City. The City may require minor changes in typical sections and details if unusual conditions arising during construction warrant such changes in the public interest. Any monuments that are disturbed before all improvements are completed by the developer shall be replaced prior to final acceptance of the improvements.

E.    Engineer’s Certification. All public improvements shall be designed and certified by a civil engineer licensed and registered in Oregon. The civil engineer’s professional stamp and signature shall provide written certification to the City that all improvements, workmanship and materials are in accord with current and standard engineering and construction practices, conform to approved plans and conditions of approval, and are of high grade. Engineer’s certification is required prior to City acceptance of the public improvements, or any portion of the improvement, for operation and maintenance. [Ord. 505 § 2 (Exh. D), 2020].

A.    New triplexes and quadplexes, including those created by adding building square footage on a site occupied by an existing dwelling, shall meet:

1.    The design standards in SDC 3.6.200 through 3.6.500; and

2.    All other clear and objective design standards that apply to detached single-family dwellings in the same zone, unless those standards conflict with this code. [Ord. 526 § 3 (Exh. B), 2022].

A.    At least one main entrance for each triplex or quadplex structure must meet the standards in subsections (A)(1) and (2) of this section. Any detached structure for which more than 50 percent of its street-facing facade is separated from the street property line by a dwelling is exempt from meeting these standards.

1.    The entrance must be within 8 feet of the longest street-facing wall of the dwelling unit; and

2.    The entrance must either:

a.    Face the street (see Figure 3.6);

b.    Be at an angle of up to 45 degrees from the street (see Figure 3.7);

c.    Face a common open space that is adjacent to the street and is abutted by dwellings on at least two sides (see Figure 3.8); or

d.    Open onto a porch (see Figure 3.9). The porch must:

i.    Be at least 25 square feet in area; and

ii.    Have at least one entrance facing the street or have a roof.

Figure 3.6 Main Entrance Facing the Street

Figure 3.7 Main Entrance at 45 Degree Angle from the Street

Figure 3.8 Main Entrance Facing Common Open Space

Figure 3.9 Main Entrance Opening Onto a Porch

[Ord. 526 § 3 (Exh. B), 2022].

A.    A minimum of 15 percent of the area of all street-facing facades must include windows or entrance doors. Facades separated from the street property line by a dwelling are exempt from meeting this standard. See Figure 3.10.

Figure 3.10 Window Coverage

[Ord. 526 § 3 (Exh. B), 2022].

A.    Garages and off-street parking areas shall not be located between a building and a public street (other than an alley), except in compliance with the standards in subsections (A)(1) and (2) of this section.

1.    The garage or off-street parking area is separated from the street property line by a dwelling; or

2.    The combined width of all garages and outdoor on-site parking and maneuvering areas does not exceed a total of 50 percent of the street frontage (see Figure 3.11).

Figure 3.11 Width of Garages and Parking Areas

[Ord. 526 § 3 (Exh. B), 2022].

A.    Driveway approaches must comply with the following:

1.    The total width of all driveway approaches must not exceed 32 feet per frontage, as measured at the property line (see Figure 3.12). For lots or parcels with more than one frontage, see subsection (A)(3) of this section.

2.    Driveway approaches may be separated when located on a local street (see Figure 3.12). If approaches are separated, they must meet the jurisdiction’s driveway spacing standards applicable to local streets.

3.    In addition, lots or parcels with more than one frontage must comply with the following:

a.    Lots or parcels must access the street with the lowest transportation classification for vehicle traffic. For lots or parcels abutting an improved alley, access must be taken from the alley (see Figure 3.13).

b.    Lots or parcels with frontages only on collectors and/or arterial streets must meet the jurisdiction’s access standards applicable to collectors and/or arterials.

c.    Triplexes and quadplexes on lots or parcels with frontages only on local streets may have either:

i.    Two driveway approaches not exceeding 32 feet in total width on one frontage; or

ii.    One maximum 16-foot-wide driveway approach per frontage (see Figure 3.14).

Figure 3.12 Driveway Approach Width and Separation on a Local Street

Figure 3.13 Alley Access

Figure 3.14 Driveway Approach Options for Multiple Local Street Frontages

[Ord. 526 § 3 (Exh. B), 2022].

New single-family attached dwellings shall meet the design standards in subsections (A) through (D) of this section.

A.    Entry Orientation. The main entrance of each single-family attached dwelling must:

1.    Be within 8 feet of the longest street-facing wall of the dwelling unit, if the lot has public street frontage; and

2.    Either:

a.    Face the street (see Figure 3.6);

b.    Be at an angle of up to 45 degrees from the street (see Figure 3.7);

c.    Face a common open space or private access or driveway that is abutted by dwellings on at least two sides (see Figure 3.8); or

d.    Open onto a porch (see Figure 3.9). The porch must:

i.    Be at least 25 square feet in area; and

ii.    Have at least one entrance facing the street or have a roof.

B.    Unit Definition. Each single-family attached dwelling must include at least three of the following on at least one street-facing facade (see Figure 3.15):

1.    A roof dormer a minimum of 4 feet in width, or

2.    A balcony a minimum of 2 feet in depth and 4 feet in width and accessible from an interior room, or

3.    A bay window that extends from the facade a minimum of 2 feet, or

4.    An offset of the facade of a minimum of 2 feet in depth, either from the neighboring townhouse or within the facade of a single townhouse, or

5.    An entryway that is recessed a minimum of 3 feet, or

6.    A covered entryway with a minimum depth of 4 feet, or

7.    A porch meeting the standards of subsection (A)(2)(d) of this section.

Balconies and bay windows may encroach into a required setback area.

Figure 3.15 Townhouse Unit Definition

C.    Windows. A minimum of 15 percent of the area of all street-facing facades on each individual unit must include windows or entrance doors. Half of the window area in the door of an attached garage may count toward meeting this standard. See Figure 3.10.

D.    Driveway Access and Parking. Single-family attached dwellings with frontage on a public street shall meet the following standards:

1.    Garages on the front facade of a single-family attached dwelling, off-street parking areas in the front yard, and driveways in front of a single-family attached dwelling are allowed if they meet the following standards (see Figure 3.16).

a.    Each single-family attached dwelling lot has a street frontage of at least 15 feet on a local street.

b.    A maximum of one driveway approach is allowed for every single-family attached dwelling. Driveway approaches and/or driveways may be shared.

c.    Outdoor on-site parking and maneuvering areas do not exceed 12 feet wide on any lot.

d.    The garage width does not exceed 12 feet, as measured from the inside of the garage door frame.

Figure 3.16 Townhouses with Parking in Front Yard

2.    The following standards apply to driveways and parking areas for single-family attached dwelling projects that do not meet all of the standards in subsection (D)(1) of this section.

a.    Off-street parking areas shall be accessed on the back facade or located in the rear yard. No off-street parking shall be allowed in the front yard or side yard of a single-family attached dwelling.

b.    A single-family attached dwelling project that includes a corner lot shall take access from a single driveway approach on the side of the corner lot. See Figure 3.17.

Figure 3.17 Townhouses on Corner Lot with Shared Access

c.    Single-family attached dwelling projects that do not include a corner lot shall consolidate access for all lots into a single driveway. The driveway and approach are not allowed in the area directly between the front facade and front lot line of any of the single-family attached dwellings. See Figure 3.18.

Figure 3.18 Townhouses with Consolidated Access

d.    A single-family attached dwelling project that includes consolidated access or shared driveways shall grant access easements to allow normal vehicular access and emergency access.

e.    Single-family attached dwelling projects in which all units take exclusive access from a rear alley are exempt from compliance with subsection (D)(2) of this section. [Ord. 526 § 3 (Exh. B), 2022].

It is the purpose of the defensible space standards to provide supplementary development regulations to reduce or minimize the potential impacts of wildfire on properties, the occupants of properties and the occupants of adjacent properties. These standards function to balance the need to preserve natural habitat, prevent erosion, provide for aesthetic and functional landscaping with reducing the potential of structure ignition and fire intensity, and to facilitate access to manmade structures by firefighters in the event of a wildfire. [Ord. 543 § 2 (Exh. C), 2025].

A.    Applicability. A Fire Prevention and Control Plan shall be required with the submission of any application for approval of a master plan, subdivision, partition, or site plan review.

B.    Plan Submission Requirements. The Fire Prevention and Control Plan, prepared at the same scale as the development plans, shall address the defensible space requirements outlined in SDC 3.7.300 and include the submission materials listed below. The Community Development Director may waive a plan submittal requirement if determined it is not reasonably necessary in order to make a decision on the application:

1.    The location and dimensions of all existing and proposed structures, parking areas and driveways on the property, and proposed lot boundaries for land divisions.

2.    The location, dimension, and grade of fire apparatus access roads and driveways serving all structures on the property.

3.    The location and dimensions of all structures upon adjoining properties located within 30 feet of a shared property line.

4.    The location of all existing and proposed fire hydrants.

5.    Site contours showing two-foot intervals detailing elevation and slope.

6.    A tree and vegetation management plan showing:

a.    Areas where shrubs and bushes will be removed including a description of the species and size (height, diameter at breast height (DBH));

b.    Areas where trees will be removed to reduce interlocking tree canopies including a description of the species and DBH;

c.    New trees, shrubs and bushes to be planted including the species, location and size at maturity;

d.    Significant trees, as defined in SDC 3.2.500(B), to be retained.

7.    The location of and information addressing required defensible space setback areas as described in SDC 3.7.300(B).

8.    A schedule and timetable for vegetation removal and thinning shall be included in the Fire Prevention and Control Plan. An exception to the implementation schedule may be granted by the Fire Code Official.

C.    Approval Criteria. The Community Development Director, in consultation with the Fire Code Official, shall approve the Fire Prevention and Control Plan upon demonstration of compliance with the standards required by this chapter.

D.    Conditions of Approval. In order to meet the purpose and standards of this chapter, the Community Development Director, in consultation with the Fire Code Official, may require the following through the imposition of conditions attached to the approval:

1.    Delineation of areas of heavy vegetation to be thinned and a formal plan for such thinning.

2.    Clearing of vegetation to reduce fuel load.

3.    Removal of dead and dying trees.

4.    Relocation of proposed structures and roads to reduce the risks of wildfire and improve the chances of successful fire suppression.

5.    Preservation or planting of trees and plants for erosion prevention and enhancement of water resources.

E.    Fire Prevention and Control Plan Maintenance. The owner of any lot or parcel including, without limitation, any homeowners’ association, must maintain such owner’s property in accordance with the requirements of any Fire Prevention and Control Plan approved pursuant to this chapter.

1.    Provisions for the maintenance of a required Fire Prevention and Control Plan shall be included in the codes, covenants, and restrictions (CC&Rs) for the development, or otherwise recorded in the Deschutes County real property records for the applicable property. [Ord. 543 § 2 (Exh. C), 2025].

A.    Applicability. A defensible space area shall be required for all new buildings and detached accessory structures which, individually or cumulatively, increase lot coverage by 200 square feet or greater. For the purposes of this section, decks included with new building development are considered part of the building.

B.    Defensible Space Area Standards. To reduce fire spread from and to structures on the property, and to adjoining properties, the establishment and maintenance of a defensible space area requires the following, except for as allowed in SDC 3.7.600:

1.    All standing dead and dying vegetation must be removed from the property, except when considered ecologically beneficial.

2.    Newly planted vegetation within 30 feet of any new building must not include species listed on the City’s Prohibited Flammable Plant List. This setback distance shall be increased by 10 feet for each 10 percent increase in the average slope of the property over 10 percent.

3.    Existing vegetation within 5 feet of a new building shall be removed, except for trees that are 20 inches DBH and not on the City’s Prohibited Flammable Plant List which can be retained if approved by the Fire Code Official.

4.    Combustible manmade and natural materials including, but not limited to, “ghost” trees, decorative stumps, logs, wood chips, bark mulch, stored wood, and accumulation of dry leaves and needles, are prohibited within 30 feet of a new building.

5.    Existing vegetation within 30 feet of a new building that is identified on the City’s Prohibited Flammable Plant List shall be removed.

6.    Trees within 30 feet of a new building which are species not identified on the City’s Prohibited Flammable Plant List shall be maintained to provide a clearance from new buildings as follows:

a.    Ten feet horizontal clearance from a chimney outlet. At no time shall tree crowns or limbs extend into the vertical plane of a chimney outlet.

b.    Ten feet above the roof of a new building.

c.    Ten feet from the furthest extension of a new building.

d.    In circumstances where pruning a tree to meet the clearance from building requirements of subsections (B)(5)(a) through (B)(5)(c) of this section would compromise the health and survival of existing trees, the Community Development Director, in consultation with the Fire Code Official and City Arborist as needed, may modify those requirements, but at a minimum the trees shall be pruned to maintain a ground clearance consistent with subsection (B)(11) of this section.

e.    Pruned to provide a ground clearance of a minimum 6 feet above the ground, or one-third of the tree height, whichever is less.

f.    Canopy spacing of the outermost limbs of trees shall be separated by at least 10 feet at mature size.

i.    Groups of trees in immediate proximity to each other may be considered as one tree canopy when approved by the Community Development Director in consultation with the Fire Code Official.

ii.    Canopy spacing requirements do not apply to significant trees, as defined in SDC 3.2.500(B), or trees that are not listed on the City’s Prohibited Flammable Plant List.

7.    Shrubs and ornamental grasses within 30 feet of a new building which are not species listed on the City’s Prohibited Flammable Plant List shall be maintained as follows:

a.    Groupings of no more than 3 shrubs can only be a maximum of 10 feet wide and must be 10 feet apart from other plantings.

b.    Shall not be located within the dripline of trees.

8.    Storage of firewood shall be 30 feet from any new building on the subject property unless located within a fully enclosed fire resistant structure.

9.    For areas extending 30 feet from a new building to the lot boundary:

a.    Tree crowns shall not be touching;

b.    Trees shall be pruned to provide a ground clearance of a minimum of 6 feet above the ground, or one-third of the tree height, whichever is less;

c.    Ladder fuels, such as grasses, shrubs, and smaller trees, shall be removed within the dripline of the trees; and

d.    Large accumulations of flammable materials, such as pine needles, pine cones, dead trees, and fallen limbs shall be removed.

10.    Where necessary for erosion control, slope stability, riparian and wetland preservation and enhancement, or performing functions considered beneficial in water resource protection, existing vegetation may be allowed to be retained consistent with an approved Fire Prevention and Control Plan, or upon written approval of the Community Development Director in consultation with the Fire Code Official.

C.    Fencing. Where fencing is attached to a new building, the fencing shall be made of noncombustible materials within 5 feet of the connection to the structure in compliance with the requirements in SDC 3.2.300. [Ord. 543 § 2 (Exh. C), 2025].

A.    For lands required to comply with SDC 3.7.300 that have been partitioned, subdivided or received site plan review, all applicable requirements of the Fire Prevention and Control Plan shall be complied with prior to bringing combustible materials onto the property.

B.    The Fire Prevention and Control Plan must be implemented during installation of public or private utilities and site improvements required of a master plan, subdivision, partition, site plan review, and shall be considered part of the applicant’s obligations for land development.

1.    The plan shall be implemented prior to final plat approval for lots created by partitions and subdivisions. The Fire Code Official shall inspect and approve the implementation of the Fire Prevention and Control Plan and provide written notice to the Community Development Director that the plan was completed as approved by the Community Development Director, or as amended in accordance with SDC 3.7.500.

2.    Final inspection of requisite defensible space areas will be conducted prior to bringing combustible materials onto the property to verify compliance with the fuel reduction standards set forth in SDC 3.7.300.

C.    For construction of buildings requiring a defensible space area, the establishment of the defensible space area provided for in SDC 3.7.300 shall be completed before bringing combustible materials onto the property. Upon completion of the construction, all defensible space area tree and shrub clearance standards shall be verified. The property owner, or subsequent property owners, shall be responsible for maintaining the property in accordance with the defensible space area standards as defined in SDC 3.7.300. [Ord. 543 § 2 (Exh. C), 2025].

Changes to a previously approved Fire Prevention and Control Plan are subject to approval by the Community Development Director, with written concurrence from the Fire Code Official, when it is demonstrated that the proposed modifications do not constitute an increased risk to the spread of wildfire.

A.    Minor modifications to an approved Fire Prevention and Control Plan include the following:

1.    A change in the implementation schedule provided within an approved Fire Prevention and Control Plan.

2.    A delay in the implementation of required fuels reduction in consideration of weather conditions, and fire hazard potential, during the period of construction.

3.    The retention of existing trees or shrubs on the Prohibited Flammable Plant List within 30 feet of a structure.

4.    A reduction of the requisite defensible space area to address observed field conditions including preservation of riparian, wetland, and slope stabilizing vegetation.

5.    The temporary storage of combustible materials on a property prior to completion of a Fire Prevention and Control Plan or establishment of a required defensible space area.

6.    A reduction of the spacing between the top of the understory vegetation and the lowest tree limbs not meeting the requirements of SDC 3.7.300. [Ord. 543 § 2 (Exh. C), 2025].

The Community Development Director may approve exceptions to the standards of this chapter for the following:

A.    An action prescribed by this section that includes the removal of trees designated to be retained as part of an approved planning action.

B.    A change that includes the removal of native vegetation within the Special Flood Hazard Area, subject to the requirements of Chapter 2.10 SDC.

C.    A change in the Fire Prevention and Control Plan not specifically listed as a minor modification under SDC 3.7.500(A).

D.    Tree removal on properties subject to Tree Removal Permit requirements set forth in Chapter 9.30 SMC.

E.    The defensible space standards outlined in SDC 3.7.300(B) may be reduced or waived when approved by the Community Development Director in consultation with the Fire Code Official. This is contingent upon it being demonstrated that the fire risk has been reasonably reduced such as in cases where ignition-resistant materials and construction methods, or vegetation type and separation, function to enhance the structure’s protection from exterior wildfire exposure. [Ord. 543 § 2 (Exh. C), 2025].