Proposed developments in SNR areas

We recommend that you discuss options and materials necessary for your submittal with your legal counsel. You will likely need to submit additional materials in addition to the standard application materials required by the Community Development Code (CDC). 

Once we have verified that your site contains mapped SNRs, you are strongly encouraged to request a pre-application meeting to review the specific submittal materials for your project. Due to the complexities of development on sites with SNRs and community interest in this issue, it is possible we will refer SNR-related land use applications to an independent Hearings Officer for public hearing and development review.

For the urban unincorporated area, the County's map showing areas with SNRs are found in the  community plans. Staff can assist you via email or in person by visiting our offices during regular business hours. 

For lands outside the Urban Growth Boundary (UGB), the Rural/Natural Resource Plan (RNRP) contains maps that show the properties that may have SNR areas.

Please contact Development Review/Current Planning to confirm the location and types of mapped SNR on your site by emailing [email protected] or calling 503-846-8761. Staff can also assist you in person. Visit us in Suite 350 in the Public Services Building during regular business hours. 

We hired a consultant team with expertise in Goal 5 SNR processes and code development to help with the changes to our SNR standards. We will work with the consultant to conduct site analysis using existing SNR inventory maps to better identify which resources exist on which sites. This analysis will help us refine and update our SNR standards to better reflect the existing SNR inventory.

The process may take 18 months. Code changes are expected to go before the Washington County Board Commissioners by fall 2024. The process may take 18 months. Code changes are expected to go before the Washington County Board Commissioners by fall 2024. Visit Significant Natural Resources for more information, including comment opportunities.

State Planning Goal 5 requires local governments to identify and protect Significant Natural Resource (SRN) areas. We inventoried our SNR areas in the early 1980s. Our Community Development Code Section 422 includes regulations that protect, preserve or mitigate impacts to these resources.