Middle Housing Development Application Process

Considering a middle housing project? We strongly encourage you to schedule a preapplication conference with our Development Review/Current Planning staff to learn more about the process. Complete the Pre-Application Request Form to get started.

Under state law and Washington County Community Development Code (CDC) standards, middle housing includes duplexes, triplexes, quadplexes, townhouses and cottage clusters that meet certain criteria. Middle housing regulations allow:

• Middle housing in urban unincorporated residential districts where a single-detached houses are allowed:  R-5, R-6, R-9, R-15, R-24, R-25+, R-6 NB, R-9 NB, R-15 NB, TO:R9-12, TO: R12-18 and TO: R18-24.
  • Land Use Summary (PDF 236.76 KB)
  • Find your property’s land use district (Intermap)
• Densities per site greater/higher than those for other housing
• Provisions to make it easier to keep existing homes and Accessory Dwelling Units on a site
• Certain design and siting standards
• At least one off-street parking space per unit

If a tax lot needs to be partitioned, a middle housing land division procedure allows for an expedited process.

Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions

Middle housing may not be allowed on properties if covenants, conditions and restrictions (CC&Rs) created before August 8, 2019, prohibit it. To find out if your property has CC&Rs created before August 8, 2019:

• Review the property title
• Consult a title company or Realtor
• Contact the Washington County Assessment and Taxation Office  

NOTE: Washington County does not monitor, track or enforce CC&Rs or other private agreements.

Community Development Code resources:

• Section 106 (definitions)
• Article III (district standards) 
  • Review type
  • Density/number of units
  • Dimensional requirements
• Section 409 (private streets and related)
• Section 410 (grading and drainage)
• Section 430-84 – Middle housing (mostly siting and design standards)
• Section 501 (public improvements in the right-of-way)
• Article VI (land division)