Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Rivergrove, Oregon

Rivergrove’s own rules

• Building permitRequired

  New houses, additions, decks, sheds over 200 sq ft, excavation, sewer installation or demolition inside Rivergrove city (city development permit, then county building/plumbing/electrical permit)

  • Work done entirely inside a home generally does not need a development permit, but check with the city.
  • Page says county issues the building, plumbing or electrical permit; the page does not itself state the county permit requirement.

  “in general, work done entirely inside your home will not need a development permit, but first check with the city of rivergrove to make a determination.”

• Local zoningPresent

  Land inside Rivergrove city limits

  • City page lists Land Development Ordinance 54-89 as an unofficial compiled version; the official version is available from the city manager.
  • About half of the city's land is in a flood zone and flood overlay ordinances apply there.

  “rivergrove is entirely residential all homes are single-family residential minimum lot size is 10,000 square feet”

• Zoning districtsPartial

  Zoning inside Rivergrove city

  • City summary describes a single residential use; the full ordinance and zoning map were not opened.

  “rivergrove is entirely residential all homes are single-family residential minimum lot size is 10,000 square feet”

• Minimum lot sizeSpecified

  Single-family residential lots (the city's only zone) inside Rivergrove city

  • Larger minimum applies to property in the floodplain.

  minimum lot size: >= 10000 square feet · minimum lot size in floodplain: >= 21790 square feet (0.5 acre)

  “minimum lot size is 10,000 square feet minimum lot size for a property in the floodplain is 21,790 square feet, or 0.5 acre”

• SetbacksSpecified

  Principal buildings in the single-family residential zone inside Rivergrove city

  • Accessory structures have separate setbacks: front 30 ft, side 3 ft, corner-lot side 10 ft, rear 3 ft; accessory structure max height 20 ft.

  front setback: >= 25 feet · side setback: >= 10 feet · corner side setback: >= 15 feet · rear setback: >= 25 feet

  “front building setback 25 feet side building setback 10 feet corner side building setback 15 feet rear building setback 25 feet”

• Building heightSpecified

  Buildings in the single-family residential zone inside Rivergrove city

  • Accessory structures limited to 20 feet.

  maximum building height: <= 35 feet

  “maximum building height 35 feet minimum building setbacks front building setback 25 feet”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Partitions and subdivisions inside Rivergrove city

  • Application requires proof of ownership, notarized cost agreement, site plan, mailing labels and related items.

  “a development permit is required if you are planning a partition or subdivision, a construction project”

• Building in a floodplainRequired

  Development in the floodplain or water quality resource area inside Rivergrove city

  • Elevation certificate and survey required if property is within the 100-year flood elevation.
  • City governed by Flood Ordinance 70-2001; city manager should be contacted for lots shown on the flood map.

  “any development in the floodplain or a water quality resource area (wqra) requires a development permit.”

• Permit processPublished (with conditions)

  City development permit applications inside Rivergrove city

  • Checklist includes notarized agreement to meet review costs, building plans, site plan, mailing labels, county forms, and elevation certificate/survey if in the 100-year flood elevation.
  • Tree survey and mitigation plan if trees are removed; grading plan if grading is proposed.

  “submit electronic files and 2 paper copies of the following: development permit application (pdf) proof of ownership notarized agreement to meet costs of development review”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission; ask Rivergrove or Clackamas County directly.

• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption inside Rivergrove city
• Building code adopted — Building code inside Rivergrove city
• Inspections — Building inspections inside Rivergrove city
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy inside Rivergrove city
• Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size inside Rivergrove city

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.