Zoning, building permits and septic rules in Detroit, Oregon

Detroit’s own rules

• Local zoningPresent

  Land within Detroit city, OR

  • Source is the 2026 Version of Chapter 2 posted on the city's site; formal adoption date not confirmed.

  “all areas within the urban growth boundary of the city of detroit are divided into land use districts.”

• Zoning districtsPublished

  Detroit city land use districts

  • Districts: Single-Family Residential (RS), Multiple Family Residential (RM), Commercial General (CG), Public (P).

  “2.1 single-family residential (rs) zone 2.2 multiple family residential (rm) zone 2.3 commercial general zone (cg) 2.4 public (p) zone”

• Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

  Single-family dwellings in Detroit city RS zone

  • Manufactured homes on individual lots must have at least 700 square feet of enclosed living space and be multi-sectional (2.1.7.a).

  minimum living space, single-family dwelling: >= 600 square feet (manufactured homes 700 sq ft)

  “single-family dwellings with at least 600 square feet of living space, including manufactured homes subject to section 2.1.7.a of this code.”

• Minimum lot sizeSpecified

  Single-family dwellings, RS zone, Detroit city

  • Minimum lot width 50 feet.
  • Applies to new lots from partition, subdivision, PUD or lot line adjustment; more area may be required for an approved septic system (2.0.4).
  • Other districts (RM, CG, P) not reviewed.

  minimum lot area: >= 8000 square feet

  “a. minimum lot area 1. single family dwellings: 8,000 square feet 2. public utility structures:”

• SetbacksSpecified

  Principal structures, RS zone, Detroit city

  • Garage entrance at least 20 feet from adjacent street.
  • Accessory structures follow chapter 3.9.

  front yard: >= 15 feet · side and rear yards: >= 5 feet

  “1. front yards, yards adjacent to streets detroit development code - chapter 2 15 feet 2-7 2. side and rear yards 5 feet”

• Lot coverageSpecified

  RS zone, Detroit city

  • Includes main building and accessory structures.

  maximum lot coverage: <= 60 percent

  “b. maximum lot coverage. the maximum lot coverage, including the main building and any accessory structures, shall be 60 percent.”

• Building heightSpecified

  RS zone, Detroit city

  • Churches or public buildings with conditional use permits up to 70 feet.
  • Detached accessory dwellings limited to 25 feet.

  maximum structure height: <= 35 feet (70 ft for churches/public buildings with CUP)

  “d. maximum structure height the maximum structure height is 35 feet. churches or public buildings with conditional use permits may be constructed to a maximum of 70 feet.”

• Living in an RVLimited

  RVs in RS zone, Detroit city

  • Only temporary use conforming to section 3.5.3, which was not opened.

  “h. temporary use of recreational vehicles conforming to the regulations in section 3.5.3 of this code.”

• Tiny homesAllowed (with conditions)

  Tiny homes in RS zone, Detroit city

  • Must meet Chapter 1.3 definitions and section 2.1.7.e standards (not opened).
  • Tiny home parks are conditional uses.

  “i. tiny homes that meet the definitional requirements in chapter 1.3 of this code and the development standards of section 2.1.7.e of this code.”

• Manufactured homesAllowed (with conditions)

  Manufactured homes on individual lots, RS zone, Detroit city

  • Multi-sectional, at least 700 sq ft, pitched roof 3:12, residential siding/roofing, thermal envelope certification, foundation no more than 16 inches above grade, fully skirted.
  • Standards do not apply to units existing before the code's effective date.
  • Manufactured home parks are conditional uses.

  minimum enclosed living space: >= 700 square feet

  “manufactured homes are permitted on individual lots and parcels, subject to all of the following design standards, consistent with ors 197.307(4).”

• Accessory dwellingsAllowed (with conditions)

  Accessory dwellings in RS zone, Detroit city

  • Must comply with Oregon Structural Specialty Code.
  • Primary residence or ADU must be owner-occupied (or family caretaker).
  • One ADU per lot.
  • Floor area max 800 sq ft.
  • Detached ADU height max 25 feet.

  maximum floor area: <= 800 square feet

  “j. accessory dwellings that meet the definitional requirements in chapter 1.3 of this code and the development standards of section 2.1.7.b of this code”

• Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

  Land divisions in RS zone, Detroit city

  • Minimum density 4.0 dwelling units per acre in new subdivisions and PUDs.

  “c. subdivisions and partitions. land divisions shall be reviewed in accordance with the provisions of chapter 4.3.”

Still unanswered

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

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