Bolthole Index

Morrow County, Oregon

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Morrow County, Oregon

63Index Score / 100
#5 of 36 in Oregon

Unincorporated Morrow County, Oregon requires building permits and administers zoning for new uses and construction.12 The county contracts with the City of Boardman for building and electrical permits, while UCo Health handles most onsite septic permits after Morrow County Planning approves a land-use compatibility statement.34

At a glance

Building permit
Required; the City of Boardman administers permits for Morrow County13
Zoning
County zoning applies in unincorporated areas; cities administer their own rules25
Septic
County Planning clears land use; UCo Health permits most onsite systems4
RV living
Allowed only in defined settings under state law; ask County Planning about the parcel67
Tiny home
Zoning and building approval apply; ask County Planning to confirm occupancy21
Owner-builder
A narrow structural-code exemption exists, but a building permit is still required8
Minimum lot size
Varies by zone and the kind of parcel being created91011

Who to call

Building permits

City of Boardman Building Department

Building and electrical permits and building inspections for Morrow County

541-626-7011

200 City Center Circle, Boardman, Oregon 97818

Online permits →

Planning & zoning

Morrow County Planning Department

Zoning, land-use applications, zoning clearance, rural addressing, septic land-use compatibility statements and floodplain administration

541-922-4624

[email protected]

215 NE Main Ave., Irrigon, OR 97844

Septic permits

UCo Health Onsite Septic Program

Site evaluations, construction permits, pre-cover inspections, records and authorization notices for most onsite septic systems in Morrow County

[email protected]

200 SE 3rd Street, Pendleton, OR 97801

Roads & driveways

Morrow County Public Works Department

County road access permits and county road right-of-way permits

541-989-9500

365 West Highway 74, Lexington, OR 97839

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on September 27, 2026.

Do you need a building permit in Morrow County, Oregon?

Yes. A building permit is required for covered residential construction in Morrow County, and the Oregon Residential Specialty Code governs one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses.112 The county's construction checklist says other construction needs a building permit when it is over 200 square feet and a zoning permit when it is over 120 square feet.13

Permitted work must remain accessible for inspection until it is approved, with inspections occurring at stages such as foundation, rough mechanical and framing.14 A new dwelling or townhouse also needs a certificate of occupancy before occupancy unless the building official issues a temporary certificate.15 A qualifying owner-builder may receive a limited exemption from structural-code rules for ceiling height, room size and temperature maintenance, but Morrow County still issues a building permit.8

Who is the Morrow County building department, and how do you reach them?

The City of Boardman Building Department issues building permits for Morrow County under the county's contracting arrangement.3 Call 541-626-7011 or use the department's online permit portal; the office is at 200 City Center Circle in Boardman.3

Start with Morrow County Planning before submitting building plans because Planning processes land-use applications in unincorporated areas and clears zoning matters.16 County Planning is at 215 NE Main Ave. in Irrigon, can be reached at 541-922-4624, and uses [email protected] for general inquiries.16 Building-code fees vary by the work type: residential structural new construction uses the applicable valuation table, while alteration and repair valuation is determined by the building official.17 The published county fee schedule separately covers planning, zoning, floodplain and related applications.18

Does Morrow County have zoning?

Yes. Morrow County administers zoning in unincorporated areas, while Boardman, Heppner, Ione, Irrigon and Lexington have their own municipal maps or codes.25 A zoning permit is required for new uses, construction and additions in the unincorporated county.2

Parcel size and setbacks depend on the zone. Creation of a new parcel in the county's EFU zone generally has a 160-acre minimum, subject to listed exceptions; the RR-1 zone has a 2-acre minimum lot area, and the RR-10 zone has a 10-acre minimum.91011 EFU setbacks also vary by roadway classification and include separate side, rear and stream standards.19 Those figures concern particular zones and parcel creation, not a universal minimum for every homesite. Ask County Planning to identify the parcel's zone and allowed use before relying on an acreage label from a listing.16

How do septic permits work in Morrow County?

For an onsite system, first obtain a Land Use Compatibility Statement from Morrow County Planning, then take the authorized form to UCo Health for the required septic permits.16 UCo Health conducts site evaluations, issues construction permits and authorization notices, and performs pre-cover inspections for most systems in Morrow County.20 Oregon DEQ retains permitting authority for high-strength waste and systems with flows over 2,500 gallons per day.21

Site conditions deserve early attention: only 18.1% of mapped soils lack severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field.22 That does not decide whether a specific parcel will pass, but it makes a site evaluation an important purchase contingency. A composting toilet does not eliminate wastewater approval: other household fixtures still need an approved wastewater system, and a graywater reuse system paired with septic requires permits.23

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in Morrow County?

Do not assume that owning rural land makes full-time RV occupancy legal. Oregon protects residential RV occupancy in specified settings, including qualifying parks with lawful utility connections and certain temporary placements after a natural disaster.6 State law also lets a county choose to allow one tenant-owned or tenant-leased RV on a qualifying rural parcel with an owner-occupied primary residence, but the available county materials do not confirm that Morrow County adopted that option.7 Ask Morrow County Planning for a parcel-specific answer before moving an RV onto the land.16

We could not confirm a Morrow County rule specifically authorizing tiny-home occupancy or a countywide minimum dwelling floor area. A tiny home intended as a dwelling still must clear the applicable zoning, sanitation and building-permit steps.21 A manufactured dwelling on private land may be occupied with the owner's consent only when water, sewage and other applicable standards are met.24

Building a home in Morrow County: the steps, in order

For a new homesite in unincorporated Morrow County, use this order:

  1. Ask Morrow County Planning to confirm the zone, dwelling use and zoning approval.2
  2. Obtain sanitation approval from UCo Health for an onsite septic system, beginning with the county's Land Use Compatibility Statement.4
  3. If access is from a county road, obtain the required access permit from Morrow County Public Works; a state-highway driveway follows ODOT standards.25
  4. Obtain a rural address through County Planning after access approval.13
  5. Submit plans and building-permit applications to the City of Boardman Building Department.3
  6. Keep work exposed for the required inspections and obtain the certificate of occupancy before moving into a new dwelling.1415

Development in a mapped special flood hazard area needs a floodplain development permit before construction begins, administered through County Planning.26

What should you check before buying land in Morrow County?

Begin with legal access, zoning and buildability rather than the listing description. Every lot must reach a public right-of-way directly, by private roadway or by easement, and a driveway onto a county facility requires Public Works approval.25 Ask County Planning to confirm the parcel's zone, setbacks, flood status and whether a dwelling is allowed.226

Make septic suitability a purchase contingency because only 18.1% of mapped soils are rated without severe limits for a conventional drain field.22 Water planning also matters in a dry county that averages about 14 inches of precipitation a year and has experienced severe drought in 16.5% of years.2728 Confirm the water source and any needed water rights with the appropriate authority before closing. Finally, budget for carrying costs: the effective property-tax rate is about 0.8%, and the median annual property-tax bill is $1,885.2930

Watch-outs

  • A rural listing's acreage does not establish that a dwelling is allowed; Morrow County's parcel-creation minimums and setbacks vary by zone.91011
  • Only 18.1% of mapped soils are rated without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field, so obtain a site evaluation before treating a parcel as buildable.22
  • Morrow County's specific rules for tiny-home occupancy and minimum dwelling size could not be confirmed; ask County Planning for a written parcel-specific answer before purchase.16
  • Development in a special flood hazard area requires a permit before construction or development begins.26

Sources

  1. Morrow County OR - Building Department (2026 county census)
  2. Morrow County OR - Zoning Ordinance (2026 county census)
  3. City of Boardman Building Department (cityofboardman.com)
  4. Morrow County OR - UCo Health (Septic Approvals) (2026 county census)
  5. Morrow County Zoning Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  6. Oregon Revised Statutes, ORS 197.493 (Oregon statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  7. Oregon Revised Statutes, ORS 215.490 (Oregon statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  8. 2023 Oregon Residential Specialty Code — Chapter 1, quoted and re-checked
  9. Morrow County Zoning Ordinance Article 3 Section 3.010: Exclusive Farm Use, EFU Zone, quoted and re-checked
  10. Morrow County Zoning Ordinance Article 3 Section 3.040: Rural Residential, RR 1 Zone, quoted and re-checked
  11. Morrow County Zoning Ordinance Article 3 Section 3.042: Rural Residential Ten, RR-10 Zone, quoted and re-checked
  12. Residential Structures Code Program, quoted and re-checked
  13. Permit Process Checklist 2026, quoted and re-checked
  14. 2023 Oregon Residential Specialty Code — Chapter 1, quoted and re-checked
  15. 2023 Oregon Residential Specialty Code — Chapter 1, quoted and re-checked
  16. Morrow County Planning Department (morrowcountyor.gov)
  17. Valuation and fee requirements by work/record type (Oregon statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  18. Planning Department Fee Schedule, quoted and re-checked
  19. Morrow County Zoning Ordinance Article 3 Section 3.010: Exclusive Farm Use, EFU Zone, quoted and re-checked
  20. UCo Health Onsite Septic Program (morrowcountyor.gov)
  21. UCo Health (Septic Approvals in Morrow County), quoted and re-checked
  22. Share of soils without severe limits for a conventional septic drain field (USDA SSURGO): Bolthole Index county data
  23. What do I do with the finished material? (Oregon statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  24. Oregon Revised Statutes, ORS 446.125 (Oregon statewide rule), quoted and re-checked
  25. Morrow County Subdivision Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  26. Morrow County Zoning Ordinance Article 3 Section 3.100 Flood Hazard Overlay Zone, quoted and re-checked
  27. Annual precipitation: Bolthole Index county data
  28. Share of years in severe drought: Bolthole Index county data
  29. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  30. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data

Written September 27, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

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County locator

Morrow County in Oregon

63
County map
Morrow County highlighted among the Oregon counties · colored by Index score

How Morrow County scores

Seclusion90100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency40100% ev.
Admin Boringness42100% ev.
Durability45100% ev.
Property Autonomy72100% ev.
Carry Cost76100% ev.

Evidence strength: 100%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$312kTypical home
0.8%Property tax
$2,202Land / acre
14"Annual rain
16.5% of yrsSevere drought
7.6 / yr (+6)Mid-century 100°F days
35.6 daysMid-century dry spell
0.68" (+5%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.17×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,019Home insurance / yr
2.2% / yrInsurance growth
1.35%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
424People within 30 min
245,135People within 2 hr
2,022Radius comparison (15 mi)
6.1People / sq mi
16.8%Federal land
61.6%Land at 15% slope or less
18.1%Septic soil without severe limits
231,379 acWorkable land screen
15.1%Wooded land
30.7 tonsBiomass / forest ac
50.1°FAvg temp

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Answers from the rulebook for Morrow County

What the ordinances and state agencies actually say — one answer per question, each quoted from the official source and independently re-checked.

Morrow County rules

  • Local zoningVaries (with conditions)

    Aggregate local zoning across Morrow County: the county administers county zoning for unincorporated areas, while incorporated cities have their own local zoning maps, development codes, or city codes.

    • Within incorporated cities, the applicable municipal zoning authority and municipal code or development code must be consulted.
    • The county City Resources page separately identifies zoning maps and development or city codes for Boardman, Heppner, Ione, Irrigon, and Lexington.
    • This is an aggregate countywide conclusion and does not treat the county as administering each municipal ordinance.
    “Zoning Map: HERE Boardman UGB Zoning Map: HERE Development Code: HERE Code of Ordinances: HERE”
  • Minimum lot sizeSpecified

    Creation of new parcels in Morrow County's Exclusive Farm Use (EFU) Zone.

    • A division for certain permitted nonresidential uses may be approved below 160 acres if the parcel is no larger than the minimum size necessary for the use as allowed in ORS 215.263.
    • Additional exceptions apply to specified nonfarm dwellings, conservation or public-open-space transactions, churches, nonfarm uses, and urban-growth-boundary divisions.
    • The source identifies the document as Morrow County Zoning Ordinance Article 3 Section 3.010 (01.08.26).

    minimum parcel size: 160 acres (subject to exceptions in Section N)

    “1. Minimum Parcel Size. The minimum size for creation of a new parcel shall be 160 acres.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Minimum yards and stream setbacks in Morrow County's Exclusive Farm Use Zone.

    • Front setbacks vary by roadway classification: local minor collector or marginal-access street, major collector, or arterial.
    • The county may approve other provisions for combining accesses.
    • Stream setbacks apply to sewage-disposal installations and to structures, buildings, and similar permanent fixtures along streams or lakes.

    front setback, local minor collector or marginal-access street: 20 feet (unless other provisions for combining accesses are provided and approved by the County) · front setback, major collector: 30 feet (unless other provisions for combining accesses are provided and approved by the County) · front setback, arterial: 80 feet (unless other provisions for combining accesses are provided and approved by the County) · side yard: 20 feet (street side of a corner lot or parcel is 30 feet) · rear yard: 25 feet · stream setback: 100 feet (measured at right angles to the high-water line or mark)

    “O. Yards. In an EFU Zone, the minimum yard setback requirements shall be as follows: 1. The front yard setback from the property line shall be 20 feet for property fronting on a local minor collector or marginal access street ROW, 30 feet from a property line fronting on a major collector ROW, and 80 feet from an arterial ROW unless other provisions for combining accesses are provided and approved by the County. 2. Each side yard shall be a minimum of 20 feet except that on corner lots or parcels the side yard on the street side shall be a minimum of 30 feet. 3. Rear yards shall be a minimum of 25 feet.”
  • Who permits septicMixed (with conditions)

    Most onsite septic systems located in Morrow County; UCo Health administers the local onsite septic program for Morrow County.

    • UCo Health assumed onsite septic program responsibilities as of May 3, 2019.
    • DEQ retains authority for licensing contractors and pumpers and for permitting systems with high-strength waste or flows over 2,500 gallons per day.

    flow threshold: > 2500 gallons per day (DEQ retains permitting authority for systems with flows over 2,500 gallons per day.)

    “transferred from Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to UCo Health.”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Onsite septic sanitation for construction in Morrow County where public sewer is not used.

    • Morrow County's official construction checklist requires sanitation approval from Umatilla County Public Health for an onsite septic system.
    • This claim does not establish permission for composting toilets, pit toilets, graywater-only systems, or other non-septic off-grid sanitation methods.
    • Additional zoning, building, health, and septic requirements may apply.
    “Sanitation Approval - Umatilla County Public Health (for on-site septic system)”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    Sanitary sewer infrastructure in Morrow County subdivisions.

    • Sanitary sewers are required as applicable to serve the subdivision and connect to existing mains.
    • If connection to an affected city sewer system is not possible, the affected city and county may jointly authorize an interim system.
    • The interim system requires adequate lot areas considering physical characteristics and sewer laterals designed for future connection to a sewage disposal system to be installed and sealed.
    • Design must account for capacity and grade to allow desirable extension beyond the subdivision.
    “Sanitary sewers as required shall be installed to serve the subdivision”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Conditional — Water infrastructure in Morrow County subdivisions.
      “Water lines and fire hydrants serving each building site in the subdivision”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Subdivision, partitioning, and other land development in Morrow County under the County Subdivision Ordinance.

    • The ordinance establishes minimum standards governing approval of land development, including subdivision and partitioning, and other land-development standards necessary to carry out the County Comprehensive Plan and promote public health, safety, and general welfare.
    “The Subdivision Ordinance details minimum standards for governing the approval of land development, including subdivision and partitioning and other land development standards as necessary to carry out the County Comprehensive Plan and to promote the public health, safety and general welfare of the citizens of Morrow County, Oregon.”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    Private access driveways and lots in Morrow County subdivision and county-road access contexts.

    • Driveways onto state highways must comply with ODOT Access Management Standards.
    • Driveways onto county facilities require an access permit from the Morrow County Department of Public Works.
    • Private access driveways not meeting the listed dimensional standards require an access variance.
    • Exiting vehicles must have an unobstructed view meeting county sight-distance requirements.
    • Unpaved driveways connecting to paved roadways require a paved driveway apron under Public Works standards.
    • All lots must have access to a public right-of-way, directly, by private roadway, or by easement.

    single-family residential driveway width: 10-24 feet (access variance required if standards are not met) · multi-family residential driveway width: 24-30 feet (access variance required if standards are not met) · commercial driveway width: 24-40 feet (access variance required if standards are not met) · industrial driveway width: 30-40 feet (access variance required if standards are not met)

    “Driveways onto County facilities, which require an access permit from the Morrow County Department of Public Works”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Construction or development, including structures, manufactured homes, fill, and other activities, within areas of special flood hazard in Morrow County.

    • The ordinance applies to all areas of special flood hazards within Morrow County jurisdiction.
    • The application may require scaled plans showing location, dimensions, elevations, structures, fill, storage, and drainage facilities.
    • Required information includes lowest-floor elevation, flood-proofed elevation, professional certification for non-residential flood-proofing, and description of watercourse alteration or relocation.
    • Development in the Flood Hazard Overlay Zone may be required to submit an environmental assessment for FEMA threatened- and endangered-species mitigation requirements.
    • The Planning Director administers the ordinance and reviews whether necessary federal, state, or local approvals have been obtained.
    • Residential construction with available base-flood data must elevate the lowest floor at least 1 foot above base-flood elevation.
    • For subdivisions or developments containing at least 50 lots or 5 acres, whichever is less, base-flood elevation data must be generated when unavailable from another authoritative source.

    residential lowest-floor elevation: >= 1 foot above base flood elevation (where base-flood elevation data has been provided) · floodplain application threshold for generated base-flood data: 50 lots or 5 acres (whichever is less, when data is unavailable from another authoritative source)

    “A development permit shall be obtained before construction or development begins within any area of special flood hazard established in Section 3.2.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    Morrow County Planning Department land-use, zoning, floodplain, access-related, and other listed planning applications.

    • The fee schedule is effective January 22, 2026.
    • A 10% long-range planning surcharge applies per land-use application.
    • A Floodplain Development Permit is listed at $250 and a Floodway Development Permit with flood study at $500.
    • Access or Road Approach Permit fees are governed by the County Public Works fee schedule.
    • Application-withdrawal refunds are discretionary and limited by the withdrawal stage; no refund is available after a final decision.
    • An application made to resolve a code violation may be subject to twice the normal application fee.

    long-range planning surcharge: per 10 percent (per land-use application) · floodplain development permit: 250 USD · floodway development permit with flood study: 500 USD

    “Planning Department Fee Schedule Effective January 22, 2026 Long Range Planning Surcharge 10% per land use application”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Construction in Morrow County, including new dwellings, replacement dwellings, manufactured-home parks, and other construction.

    • For a new site, the checklist requires zoning approval, sanitation approval where applicable, a road access permit, a rural address, and building permits through the City of Boardman.
    • For replacement construction, the checklist omits the access permit and rural-address steps shown for a new site.
    • Other construction requires a zoning permit over 120 square feet and building permits over 200 square feet.
    • Sanitation approval may be from Oregon DEQ when the system exceeds 2,500 gallons per day.
    • Manufactured-home setup permits are required when applicable.

    zoning permit threshold for other construction: > 120 square feet · building permit threshold for other construction: > 200 square feet · DEQ sanitation threshold: > 2500 gallons per day

    “FOR CONSTRUCTION IN MORROW COUNTY I. DWELLINGS NEW SITE: 1. Zoning Permit - County Planning Dept.”
  • Building permitRequired

    Under the statewide Oregon Residential Specialty Code a building permit is required; Morrow County contracts building permit services to the City of Boardman.

    Morrow County OR - Building Department ↗Scouted from the county site, not yet independently re-checked

  • County-wide zoningPresent

    County administers the Morrow County Zoning and Subdivision Ordinance; a zoning permit is required for new uses, construction and additions in unincorporated areas.

    Morrow County OR - Zoning Ordinance ↗Scouted from the county site, not yet independently re-checked

Oregon rules that apply here

  • Owner-builder exemptionConditional

    Owner-built single-family residences and adjacent auxiliary structures in Morrow County constructed entirely by the owner who intends to occupy them, or by the owner with unpaid assistance from friends and relatives.

    • The owner must be the title owner or contract purchaser shown on the last available complete assessment roll.
    • The owner must not have used the exemption during the five years before applying.
    • The exemption applies to new construction, renovation, remodeling, or alteration of an owner-built dwelling or outbuilding.
    • The exemption covers only structural-code requirements for ceiling heights, room sizes, and maintenance of specific temperature levels.
    • A building permit is still issued and must note whether the dwelling or outbuilding complies with the exempted requirements.
    • If the structure does not comply with those requirements, the owner-builder must file a copy of the permit with the county clerk for permanent deed recording and provide a sufficient property description.
    • The rule is a statewide Oregon statutory exemption reprinted in the Oregon Residential Specialty Code.

    prior exemption lookback: 5 years (owner must not have taken advantage of the exemption during this period)

    “Owner-built dwellings and outbuildings shall be exempt from any requirements of the structural code for ceiling heights, room sizes”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Available (with conditions) — Owner-built single-family residences and adjacent auxiliary structures in Oregon where the structural components are constructed entirely by the owner intending to occupy the structures, or by the owner with unpaid assistance from friends and relatives.
      “Owner-built dwellings and outbuildings shall be exempt from any requirements of the structural code for ceiling heights, room sizes”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    The Oregon Residential Specialty Code applies statewide to construction, reconstruction, and repair of one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses, including applicable work in Morrow County.

    • Administrative provisions were effective and mandatory October 1, 2023.
    • Construction provisions were effective October 1, 2023 with a six-month phase-in period and mandatory April 1, 2024.
    • The code is based on the 2021 International Residential Code.
    • The cited code applies to one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses; other structures may be governed by other Oregon specialty codes.
    • Local land-use, permitting, and other local requirements may also apply.

    administrative provisions effective date: 2023-10-01 · construction provisions effective date: 2023-10-01 (six-month phase-in period) · construction provisions mandatory date: 2024-04-01 · model code: 2021 International Residential Code

    “The division works with building officials, technical committees, advisory boards, and the public to adopt, amend, and interpret the Oregon Residential Specialty Code (ORSC).”
    3 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Adopted (with conditions) — Oregon State Building Code specialty codes administered statewide by the Oregon Building Codes Division.
      “The Building Codes Division adopts, amends, and interprets specialty codes that make up the Oregon State Building Code.”
    • Adopted (with conditions) — Commercial construction, reconstruction, alteration, and repair governed by the Oregon Structural Specialty Code statewide.
      “Construction provisions: [...] Mandatory April 1, 2026”
    • Adopted (with conditions) — Construction, reconstruction, and repair of one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses governed by the Oregon Residential Specialty Code statewide.
      “2023 Oregon Residential Specialty Code (ORSC) [...] Based on 2021 International Residential Code (IRC)”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Residential construction or work in Morrow County for which an Oregon residential building permit is required.

    • Construction or work requiring a permit is subject to inspection by the building official.
    • Work must remain accessible and exposed for inspection until approved.
    • Foundation inspection occurs before concrete placement after required excavation, forms, and reinforcing steel are in place.
    • Mechanical and gas rough inspections occur before covering or concealment, before fixtures or appliances are installed, and before framing inspection; ground-source heat-pump-loop backfilling is an exception when tested as specified.
    • Floodplain inspections and document submissions are determined by the floodplain administrator.
    • Frame and masonry inspection occurs after roof, masonry, framing, firestopping, draftstopping, and bracing are in place and after plumbing, mechanical, and electrical rough inspections are approved.
    • The building official may require additional inspections to determine code compliance.
    • The City of Boardman administers Morrow County building permits under the county’s contracting arrangement.
    “Construction or work for which a permit is required shall be subject to inspection by the building official”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Occupancy of a new residential dwelling or townhouse, and changes in character, use, or occupancy, in Morrow County under the Oregon Residential Specialty Code.

    • Prior to occupancy of a new residential dwelling or townhouse, the building official must issue a certificate of occupancy unless a temporary certificate is issued.
    • Certificates of occupancy are not required for work exempt from permits under Section R105.2.
    • Certificates of occupancy are not required for accessory buildings or structures.
    • Before issuance, the general contractor or owner issued the structural permit must provide contact and relevant license information for contractors who performed electrical, HVAC, and plumbing work.
    • A temporary certificate may be issued before all permitted work is complete if the portion occupied can be occupied safely; the building official sets its validity period.
    • The building official may revoke a certificate or temporary certificate for a health or safety violation, with a written statement of the basis.
    • The City of Boardman administers Morrow County building permits under the county’s contracting arrangement.
    “Prior to occupancy of a new residential dwelling or townhouse the building official must issue a certificate of occupancy”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Statewide Oregon zoning data published by the Department of Land Conservation and Development; the data represents local zoning and does not itself replace local zoning ordinances or maps.

    • The source identifies the dataset as Statewide Zoning - 2023.
    • The source provides downloads through GEOHub and a GIS service.
    • Local governments remain the relevant authorities for parcel-level zoning determinations and ordinance administration.

    dataset year: 2023

    “Statewide Zoning - 2023 Downloads available from GEOHub Service”
  • Living in an RVLimited

    One residential-use recreational vehicle on a lot or parcel in an Oregon rural area, when a county elects to allow the use under ORS 215.490.

    • The property must not be within an urban reserve.
    • An owner-occupied single-unit dwelling must be sited on the property as the owner's primary residence.
    • There must be no other dwelling units on the property, and no portion of the single-unit dwelling may be rented as a residential tenancy.
    • The recreational vehicle space or vehicle may not be used for vacation occupancy or other short-term uses.
    • The recreational vehicle must be owned or leased by the tenant.
    • The property owner must provide essential services.
    • A county may require registration, a written residential rental agreement, payment limits, and reasonable appearance, repair, inspection, or siting standards.
    “A county may allow an owner of a lot or parcel in a rural area to site on the property one recreational vehicle”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Residential occupancy of a recreational vehicle in Oregon when the vehicle is allowed under ORS 215.490, located in a manufactured dwelling park, mobile home park, or recreational vehicle park and lawfully connected to required services, or placed on a lot with a dwelling made uninhabitable by a natural disaster.
      “A state agency or local government may not prohibit the placement or occupancy of a recreational vehicle”
  • Manufactured homesAllowed (with conditions)

    Occupancy of a manufactured dwelling on private land in Oregon with the landowner's consent.

    • The lot, tract, or parcel must have adequate area for safe, approved water supply and sewage disposal facilities.
    • The occupancy must not conflict with ORS 446.310(9).
    • The person must comply with all applicable state or local sanitation, water, plumbing, electrical, and sewerage-installation standards.
    “A person may occupy a manufactured dwelling or a camping vehicle on private land with the consent of the owner”
  • Accessory dwellingsLimited

    Accessory dwelling units in areas within an urban growth boundary zoned for detached single-unit dwellings in a city with population greater than 2,500 or a county with population greater than 15,000.

    • The local government must allow at least one accessory dwelling unit for each detached single-unit dwelling.
    • Local regulations may address siting and design but may not include owner-occupancy requirements for the primary or accessory structure or requirements to construct additional off-street parking.
    • Local governments may regulate vacation occupancies to require owner-occupancy or off-street parking.

    city population threshold: > 2500 persons · county population threshold: > 15000 persons · minimum ADUs per detached single-unit dwelling: >= 1 unit

    “A city with a population greater than 2,500 or a county with a population greater than 15,000 shall allow”
  • Agricultural exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

    Qualifying agricultural buildings, agricultural grading, equine facilities and dog-training facilities under Oregon structural-code law.

    • The exemption is only from the Oregon Structural Specialty Code.
    • Electrical, plumbing and mechanical work remains subject to permits and the applicable specialty codes.
    • An agricultural building must be located on a farm or forest operation and used for the statutory agricultural, forestry, horticultural, animal-husbandry or related purposes.
    • An agricultural building does not include a dwelling; a structure used for a purpose other than growing plants in which 10 or more persons are present at any one time; a structure regulated by the State Fire Marshal; a structure used by the public; or a structure subject to the National Flood Insurance Act provisions identified in ORS 455.315.
    • Incorporated cities may regulate agricultural buildings, equine facilities and dog-training facilities within their boundaries.
    • Additional uses in an agricultural building must be incidental and accessory, personal to the farm owner and immediate family or household, and pose no greater hazard than the listed agricultural uses.

    maximum persons present for qualifying non-growing-plants agricultural structure: < 10 persons (Structures with 10 or more persons present at one time are excluded.)

    “The provisions of this chapter do not authorize the application of a state structural specialty code to any agricultural building, agricultural grading, equine facility or dog training facility.”
  • county zoning authorityGeneral

    Oregon counties adopting and revising comprehensive plans, zoning, subdivision, and other land-use ordinances applicable to county land, including unincorporated areas.

    • The statutory text states an exception for ORS 527.722.
    • Plans and related ordinances may be adopted and revised part by part or by geographic area.
    • Zoning, subdivision, and other ordinances or regulations must be designed to implement the adopted county comprehensive plan.
    • Before a county zoning ordinance has legal effect, the governing body or planning commission must conduct one or more public hearings and publish 10 days' advance public notice; additional notice requirements apply to certain zone changes under ORS 215.223.
    “Except as provided in ORS 527.722, the county governing body shall adopt and may from time to time revise a comprehensive plan and zoning, subdivision and other ordinances applicable to all of the land in the county. The plan and related ordinances may be adopted and revised part by part or by geographic area.”
  • county building authorityGeneral

    Oregon counties administering and enforcing building inspection programs, including issuance and enforcement of building permits for residential construction in areas outside incorporated cities.

    • A county building inspection program is subject to the state building code and the statutory building-inspection-program framework.
    • If a county does not notify the director, or notifies the director that it will not administer and enforce a building inspection program, the director must arrange administration and enforcement through a municipality, other person, state employees, or state agencies; permit and other fees arising therefrom are paid into the Consumer and Business Services Fund.
    • A building inspection program is administered for four-year periods under ORS 455.150; the governing body must provide required notices to the Director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services.
    • The program must specify cooperation with the State Fire Marshal or designee and how a uniform fire code will be considered in design and construction review.
    • The cited archive is the 2015 Oregon Revised Statutes edition; the current official ORS 455 page was identified but returned a 403 error during retrieval.
    “If a city does not notify the director, or notifies the director that it will not administer the building inspection program, the county or counties in which the city is located shall administer and enforce the county program within the city in the same manner as the program is administered and enforced outside the city, except as provided by subsection (6) of this section.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission — ask the county directly.

  • Minimum dwelling size — Minimum dwelling size in unincorporated Morrow County.
  • Lot coverage — Lot coverage limits in unincorporated Morrow County.
  • Building height — Building height limits in unincorporated Morrow County.
  • Tiny homes — Occupancy of tiny homes in unincorporated Morrow County.
  • Short-term rentals — Short-term rentals in Morrow County.

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.

Water rights & wells in Morrow County

Whether a new home can legally get its own water here — the sub-state groundwater regime, from Oregon’s water agency.

Over-appropriated / declining

The aquifer here is over-appropriated and declining. A domestic well is usually still permit-exempt, but long-term supply is a genuine risk.

Household wellExempt — no permit or water right

Single or group domestic groundwater use up to 15,000 gpd is exempt from permitting, but the exemption can be limited inside designated Critical Groundwater Areas.

Limit: 15,000 gpd domestic (plus stockwater and ≤0.5 acre lawn/garden) under ORS 537.545

Oregon Water Resources Department — Exempt Water Uses ↗

Prior-appropriation state (first in time, first in right). Groundwater rules change and basin boundaries follow the aquifer, not the county line — confirm current well and appropriation rules with the Oregon state water agency before you buy or drill.Groundwater governance as of Jul 2026, cited to each administering agency.

Living off-grid in Morrow County, Oregon

Is Morrow County a good place to live off-grid or homestead?

Morrow County scores 63/100 on the Bolthole Index, a solid county profile. Its strengths: deep seclusion — about 424 people within a 30-minute drive and manageable long-term carry cost. Watch-outs: weak self-sufficiency basics: only 14″ of rain a year and more administrative friction around building and land use.

Do you need a building permit in Morrow County, Oregon?

Morrow County generally requires a residential building permit, and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by UCo Health (Umatilla County Public Health, contracted agent) with Morrow County Planning LUCS. Owner-builders may act as their own contractor to build their home. These answers are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked. Rules change and cities within the county differ — always confirm with the county before you buy or build.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in Morrow County?

Living in an RV on your own land in Morrow County is limited to specific cases: Statewide rule. One residential-use recreational vehicle on a lot or parcel in an Oregon rural area, when a county elects to allow the use under ORS 215.490. The property must not be within an urban reserve. An owner-occupied single-unit dwelling must be sited on the property as the owner's primary residence. Confirm with the county before relying on it.

How much does land cost in Morrow County, Oregon?

Land in Morrow County runs about $2,202 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Morrow County?

Morrow County gets about 14" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 16.5% of years. On water rights, Morrow County lies in the Umatilla Basin Critical Groundwater Areas (Ordnance, Butter Creek, Stage Gulch) — Declining basalt/gravel aquifers designated critical; new groundwater appropriations are closed/heavily restricted and some exempt uses may be curtailed..

How remote is Morrow County?

A representative private-land location has about 424 people within a 30-minute drive and 245,135 within two hours. The road-network catchments count population across county lines and clusters of smaller cities; straight-line radius values remain available as a comparison.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Morrow County means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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How Morrow compares in Oregon

Compare side-by-side →See all 36 Oregon counties ranked →