How will the new Single Family Home Zoning Ban Change Oregon? (Portland: low income, houses)

[Cloudy Dayz]

Originally Posted by Larry Caldwell

Yeah, that's not going to happen. Oregon has had building codes even longer than it has had land use planning.

Is there anything in this law that says you can't convert a single family home to a duplex? As I read it, this law gives the green light for it.

[Larry Caldwell]

Originally Posted by Cloudy Dayz

Is there anything in this law that says you can't convert a single family home to a duplex? As I read it, this law gives the green light for it.

The building code requires that any project that big requires the whole structure be upgraded to current codes, starting with foundation, seismic, electrical, plumbing, light and ventilation, egress, etc. etc.

There won't be any cheapie projects. The green starts in your wallet, and you better have a wad.

[harrishawke]

So the way I read the new law, if a builder wants to purchase 100 acres of land, are they are not allowed put 400 single family homes in that zone? Do they have to further sub-divide it to accommodate duplex, tri and quadplexes?

[Silverfall]

Originally Posted by harrishawke

So the way I read the new law, if a builder wants to purchase 100 acres of land, are they are not allowed put 400 single family homes in that zone? Do they have to further sub-divide it to accommodate duplex, tri and quadplexes?

If they want to put up 400 SF homes they can do so. There is no requirement to subdivide it further. In places like LO and West Linn where there is high demand for single family homes that will remain the property of choice.

Now, if a homeowner, 10 years after buying a single-family home decides they want to spend their money and go through the development process to convert a home to a duplex, they can certainly do that if they want. I don't think people realize how much it costs to develop things and the SDC (System Development Charges) generally turn people away. There are firewall codes, SDC charges, separate metering, etc. It is NOT cheap to convert.

[texasdiver]

Originally Posted by Silverfall

If they want to put up 400 SF homes they can do so. There is no requirement to subdivide it further. In places like LO and West Linn where there is high demand for single family homes that will remain the property of choice.

Now, if a homeowner, 10 years after buying a single-family home decides they want to spend their money and go through the development process to convert a home to a duplex, they can certainly do that if they want. I don't think people realize how much it costs to develop things and the SDC (System Development Charges) generally turn people away. There are firewall codes, SDC charges, separate metering, etc. It is NOT cheap to convert.

I lived in Waco Texas for awhile where there aren't these sorts of single family zoning restrictions, especially in rural areas. It's not a problem.

Upscale subdivisions all have expansive lots and large houses with not a single duplex in sight. Like this example in Waco: https://goo.gl/maps/c8XJzwBsSFk8J4DE8


Downscale subdivisions...often shoehorned in open spaces along main highways or behind factories or strip malls are sometimes made as duplex subdivisions. Like this: https://goo.gl/maps/7ujV7tJRuZUw1K7HA

There is never any accidental mixing of duplexes into upscale subdivisions. The land is too valuable for that.

[Larry Caldwell]

Originally Posted by Silverfall

If they want to put up 400 SF homes they can do so. There is no requirement to subdivide it further. In places like LO and West Linn where there is high demand for single family homes that will remain the property of choice.

Now, if a homeowner, 10 years after buying a single-family home decides they want to spend their money and go through the development process to convert a home to a duplex, they can certainly do that if they want. I don't think people realize how much it costs to develop things and the SDC (System Development Charges) generally turn people away. There are firewall codes, SDC charges, separate metering, etc. It is NOT cheap to convert.

And don't forget HOAs. The state doesn't have the authority to alter private contracts.

[texasdiver]

Originally Posted by Larry Caldwell

And don't forget HOAs. The state doesn't have the authority to alter private contracts.

Yes, actually it does.

Private HOA contracts and deed covenants that perpetrate discrimination (whites only requirements) have been declared illegal and null and void. In some states, certain types of binding arbitration and non-compete clauses in employment have been declared illegal and null and void. HOA restrictions that banned satellite dishes were declared void. Some state are now looking at invaliding HOA restrictions on rooftop solar.

It happens all the time.

Technically the state doesn't alter the private HOA contracts, it just declares them unenforceable. Which amounts to the same thing.

[Cloudy Dayz]

Originally Posted by Larry Caldwell

The building code requires that any project that big requires the whole structure be upgraded to current codes, starting with foundation, seismic, electrical, plumbing, light and ventilation, egress, etc. etc.

There won't be any cheapie projects. The green starts in your wallet, and you better have a wad.

Do you have a source for that? Because I see additions get built onto houses all the time. Here is the process for Portland. You get a building permit, pay the fee, notify the neighbors, have a construction engineer draw up the plans, get them approved, and you start building. I see nothing about upgrading the whole structure. But even if the whole structure does require upgrades, I don't see how that is going to stop it from happening.


https://www.portlandoregon.gov/bds/38152

mraa_info_guide_111518

[PNW-type-gal]

I had plans to remodel my current house - I had to change the plans, because some of the remodel touched on an area near the stairs, and the county required the stairs be updated to modern code (they are original to the house and very steep and narrow). Since that would have required massive structural changes to the house, we had to change the plans and resubmit.

So that is one of the devils in detail - the county has to approve the changes and you have to meet the requirements for doing so. It isn't anywhere near as simple as submitting plans (even with a structural engineer's input) and the county just "rubber stamps" them.

[Harpaint]

NOT GOOD. It will just encourage more people to move here and we'll end up again where we are now.