Land Use Ordinances

Stay Informed About Land Use Ordinances in Unincorporated Washington County

A land use ordinance adopts, amends, or repeals provisions of the Washington County Comprehensive Plan, including:

• Changes to policies, standards, or procedures that apply to land development applications
• Modifications to land use districts or permitted uses in a district
• Alterations of the alignment or number of lanes planned for a roadway in unincorporated Washington County or within a city

Land use ordinances are not development applications or plan amendments that affect individual properties. Notice for these types of applications follow the Community Development Code (CDC) requirements.

Receive Individual Notices of Proposed Land Use Ordinances

Notification of proposed land use ordinances, including a description of the proposed changes and the date, time, and place of the initial hearing can be obtained:

• Online (Free): Copies of land use ordinances can found under Ordinances in Progress, or Adopted or Rejected Land Use Ordinances
• Email Notifications (Free): Subscribe to receive email notices at no charge with no renewal needed. Unsubscribe whenever you want.

• Paper Notifications by Mail (Annual Subscription Fee): If you would prefer printed notices sent to you by mail, complete and return the form below with a $31 check (no cash) payable to Washington County LUT.

  Annual Subscription Form to Receive Land Use Ordinances Notices (PDF 332.15 KB)

Provide Official Testimony

Official comments on ordinances must be received in writing or provided during a hearing. Written testimony, including email, must include your name, address, and phone number.

Submit by email, fax, or U.S. Mail at:

Washington County Long Range Planning
155 N First Ave., Suite 350, MS14
Hillsboro, OR 97124-3072

To testify in person at a public hearing:

• Planning Commission: Public Testimony Sign-Up
• Board of Commissioners: Public Testimony Sign-Up

How an Issue or Idea Becomes a Land Use Regulation

1. Ordinance Development
   Staff research issues, work with identified interested parties, and develop potential code or plan language to address identified issues.
2. Ordinance Filing
   Once proposed code or plan changes are developed, those changes are officially submitted or “filed.”
3. Public Notice & Public Hearings
   Notice of filed ordinances and public hearings are published and posted on the County webpage. The Planning Commission conducts a public hearing(s) and makes a recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners. The Board conducts a public hearing(s) and makes a decision on the ordinance.
4. Ordinance Engrossment
   The ordinance may be adopted as proposed or may be engrossed (changed) by the Board. If the Board engrosses a land use ordinance, further public notice is provided and additional hearings are scheduled.
5. Board Decision
   At the conclusion of public hearings, the Board either adopts, rejects, or continues a land use ordinance to a specific future date.
6. Ordinance Effective
   If adopted, most land use ordinances become effective 30 days after adoption.

Other Notices

If you want to learn more about other types of development activities in unincorporated Washington County (these are not Ordinance Notices)?

• Search applications under review, comment on open development applications, and view recent land use decisions.
• Sign up for LUT eNewsletters
• Review meeting agendas and attend Meetings/Hearings (In-Person and Online)