The purpose of the Rufus Zoning Code Audit is to identify regulatory issues or barriers in the
Rufus Zoning Ordinance (adopted 2005) to local housing production. For simplicity, the Rufus
Zoning Ordinance will be referred to as the “Code” in this memo. 1 This audit also evaluates the
Code for compliance with housing-related State land use laws and existing City Comprehensive
Plan policies. A thorough review of the City’s housing-related procedures and regulations is one
of the first tasks of the Rufus Housing Code Update project, the findings of which will guide
project recommendations. Specifically, the primary goals of the Code Update include the
following:
Simplify review and approval processes for housing.
Ensure compliance with applicable State statutes and Administrative Rules for housing
development, including:
Oregon State Statute (ORS) 197A.400 and Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR)
Chapter 660, which requires that local governments adopt and apply only clear and
objective standards, conditions, and procedures to the development of housing.
Update Code standards to expand opportunities and remove barriers to housing
development.
