2021 Unified Development Code (UDC) update
The City is proposing changes to Salem's zoning and development code, known as the Unified Development Code (UDC). The proposed changes address a variety of issues that have arisen since the last update to the UDC in 2019. They include policy-related changes that respond to concerns from the community, minor housekeeping amendments, and updates to implement changes in State law.
In addition to the proposed amendments to the UDC, the
zoning of specific identified properties in the downtown currently zoned RH, CO, and CR are proposed to be changed to CB to consistent with the CB zoning of other surrounding downtown properties.
City Council deliberations
On Monday, January 24, at 6:00 p.m., the City Council will conduct deliberations on the proposed amendments. The staff report can be read here: January 24 City Council Staff Report.
On December 6 and December 13 the City Council held public hearings to consider the proposed amendments and left the record open until January 10 for additional written comments to be provided.
Proposed amendments
Next steps
If the amendments are approved by the City Council, staff will then prepare the final ordinance which will be brought back to the Council
(at a following meeting) for final appoval at second reading. The amendments will then become effective 30 days later.
For additional information contact:
Bryce Bishop, Planner III
[email protected] / 503-540-2399
Planning Commission October 5th Recommendation
On October 5th the Planning Commission held a public hearing to consider the proposed amendments to the UDC and the corresponding zone change. The Commission voted to recommend City Council approval of the proposal, subject to additional recommended revisions identified by staff and the following further revisions recommended by the Planning Commission:
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Middle housing off-street parking. Remove minimum off-street parking requirements for middle housing. This applies to townhouses, two family uses, three family uses, four family uses, and cottage clusters.
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Multi-family off-street parking. Reduce the minimum off-street parking requirement for multiple family uses to one space per dwelling unit.
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Enclosure standards for small birds. Amend the proposed enclosure sizing requirements for poultry to specifically address the needs of small birds.
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Definition of significant tree. Exclude Douglas fir trees with a diameter-at-breast-height (dbh) of 30 inches or greater from the proposed revised definition of significant tree under SRC Chapter 808.
The Planning Commission's October 5 decision can be read here:
Planning Commission Decision
View the October 5 Planning Commission public hearing.
Prior work sessions
The Salem Planning Commission held a series of work sessions on the proposed changes from June to August 2021. You can read overviews of the proposed changes and the draft code language that was presented to the Planning Commission below. You can also watch recordings of work session. Please note the documents below contain previous versions of the amendments, as some language has been updated after the work sessions. The full code amendment package included above contains the most recent proposal, which will be presented to the Planning Commission on October 5.
