Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Scio, Oregon

Scio’s own rules

• Local zoningPresent

  Land inside Scio city limits

  • Zoning ordinance is Appendix B of the Scio Code of Ordinances; includes R-1, R-2 and C-1 zones.

  “In an R-1 zone, the minimum lot size shall be as follows”

• Zoning districtsPartial

  Zoning districts in Scio city

  • Reviewed sections show R-1, R-2 and C-1; full district list and map not reviewed.

  “In an R-2 zone, the following uses and their accessory uses are permitted outright”

• Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

  Manufactured homes on individual lots inside Scio city; no minimum for site-built dwellings was found

  • Must be multi-sectional.
  • Manufactured homes in a manufactured home park: minimum 400 sq ft (Sec. 6.350.E).

  minimum enclosed space: >= 1000 square feet

  “The manufactured home shall be multi-sectional and enclose a space of not less than 1,000 square feet.”

• Minimum lot sizeSpecified

  R-1 Single-Family Residential zone, Scio city

  • Base flood area lots: 10,000 sq ft area and 80 ft width.
  • Lots partly in base flood area are classified under Sec. 3.070.

  minimum lot area: >= 8000 square feet (10,000 in base flood area) · minimum lot width at front building line: >= 60 feet (80 in base flood area)

  “The minimum lot area shall be 8,000 square feet, except if the use is located in a base flood area as defined on the flood insurance rate map (FIRM) for the City of Scio”

  One more reviewed finding on this topic

  • Specified — R-2 Multiple-Family Residential zone, Scio city

    “The minimum lot area for a multiple-family dwelling with three or more dwelling units shall be 3,000 square feet per dwelling unit”

• SetbacksSpecified

  R-1 Single-Family Residential zone, Scio city

  • Except as provided in sections 5.300, 5.330 and 5.340.
  • Side yards total at least 13 feet; corner lot street side 15 feet.
  • Setbacks measured from property lines and may not encroach on right-of-way.

  front yard: >= 20 feet (25 to front of garage) · side yard: >= 5 feet (corner lot street side 15) · rear yard: >= 20 feet

  “The front yard shall be a minimum of 20 feet. However, the front yard or street side yard setback to the front of a garage shall be a minimum of 25 feet.”

  One more reviewed finding on this topic

  • Specified — R-2 Multiple-Family Residential zone, Scio city

    “The front yard shall be a minimum of 20 feet. However, the front yard or street side yard setback to the front of a garage shall be a minimum of 25 feet.”

• Building heightSpecified

  Accessory buildings in R-1 and R-2 zones, Scio city (principal building height limit not found)

  • Over 14 feet: side and rear setback increases one foot per additional foot of height.
  • Side/rear yard may be reduced to three feet for qualifying accessory structures 14 feet or less and 450 sq ft or less.

  accessory building maximum height: <= 20 feet

  “an accessory building to a residential use of property or to a use permitted in the R-1 or R-2 zone shall not exceed a height of 20 feet.”

• Camping on your landLimited

  Vehicle camping inside Scio city on public parking areas and rights-of-way

  • Ban applies to publicly owned parking areas and public rights-of-way; private land is not addressed in the section reviewed.

  “is prohibited within the City of Scio when the motor vehicle is parked within a publicly owned parking area or within any public right-of-way.”

• Manufactured homesLimited

  Manufactured homes on individual lots in Scio city residential zones (permitted outright in R-2)

  • Must be multi-sectional, at least 1,000 sq ft, 3:12 pitched roof, foundation and porch standards.
  • Placement permit from the city required before location; permit valid six months, one six-month extension.
  • Must meet lot size, width, height, setback and lot coverage of the zone.
  • Not occupied until city zoning/building official and certified building official certify compliance.

  minimum enclosed space: >= 1000 square feet

  “The manufactured home shall be multi-sectional and enclose a space of not less than 1,000 square feet.”

• Accessory dwellingsLimited

  Guest houses accessory to a dwelling inside Scio city; no ADU section was in the reviewed text

  • Guest house may have no cooking facilities.
  • Accessory building height limit 20 feet in R-1/R-2.

  “A guest house may be maintained accessory to a dwelling provided there are no cooking facilities.”

• Mandatory utility hookupConditional

  Manufactured homes on individual lots inside Scio city (other new homes not covered by the sections reviewed)

  • Connection must be approved by the city before occupancy and city permits obtained.
  • No distance or availability rule for other dwellings was found.

  “The manufactured home shall be connected to the city's water and sewer systems.”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Land divisions and property line adjustments inside Scio city

  • Property line adjustments reviewed by zoning/building official and planning commission; may not create additional lots.

  “The lots being modified in size through the property line adjustment shall meet the minimum lot size, lot width, and street access requirements of the zone in which they are located.”

• Building in a floodplainLimited

  Manufactured homes on individual lots inside Scio city; the Flood Plain Management Ordinance itself was not opened

  • Foundation must also meet FEMA requirements and Oregon State Building Code requirements.
  • Tie-downs must comply with the Scio Flood Plain Management Ordinance.

  “The manufactured home shall be placed on a foundation that complies with the Scio Flood Plain Management Ordinance, Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA)”

• Permit processPartial

  Manufactured home placement permits inside Scio city; other permit processes not reviewed

  • Application needs a plot plan, dimensions and materials information, and a signed compliance statement; filing fee per adopted fee schedule.
  • Permit remains in effect six months with one extension of up to six months.

  “the owner or his authorized representative shall apply for and receive a placement permit from the city.”

Still unanswered

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

• Building permit — Building permits inside Scio city
• Owner-builder exemption — Owner-builder exemption inside Scio city
• Building code adopted — Building code inside Scio city
• Inspections — Building inspections inside Scio city
• Certificate of occupancy — Certificate of occupancy inside Scio 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.