Table of Contents

Accessory Dwelling Units

The city’s land use code permits internal, attached, and detached secondary dwellings by right in its low-density residential district, subject to use-specific standards (§9.2751(17)). The standards for internal and attached units address lot size, unit size, unit height and setbacks, common walls, dog keeping, owner occupancy, temporary leave, deed restriction, verification, and flag lots (§9.2751(17)(a)). The standards for detached units address unit size, pedestrian access, primary entrance, outdoor storage and trash, unit height and setbacks, maximum wall length (§9.2751(17)(b)). The standards for secondary dwellings in three specific neighborhoods address lot size, lot dimensions, lot coverage, vehicle use area, unit size, minimum attachment, maximum bedrooms, maximum occupancy, unit height and setbacks, dog keeping, owner occupancy, temporary leave, deed restriction, verification, parking, alley access, pedestrian access, primary entrance, outdoor storage and trash, and maximum wall length (§9.2751(17)(c)).

Active Transportation

The city’s land use code includes street connectivity standards for new development that facilitate walking and biking (§9.6815).  Proposed streets must connect to all existing or planned streets within 1/4 mile of the development site. The proposed development shall include streets that extend to undeveloped or partially developed land that is adjacent to the development site or that is separated from the development site by a drainage channel, transmission easement, survey gap, or similar property condition. The streets shall be in locations that will enable adjoining properties to connect to the proposed development’s street system.

Housing Supply Planning

The city's code encourages increasing housing supply with diverse options by standardizing accessory dwelling units and residential infill development in low-density districts to promote choice and affordability. Reduced parking minimum requirements for low-income multifamily housing aids in making housing more affordable.

Residential Infill Development

The city’s land use code includes multiple sections that promote context-sensitive residential infill. It establishes the Jefferson Westside Special Area zone to promote context-sensitive residential infill in an older low-density residential area (§9.3600 et seq.). District standards address lot size, building height, main entrances, setbacks, roof form, alley development, parking, garage doors, and fences. And it authorizes small lot residential infill development in low density residential districts to promote housing choice and affordability (§9.2770).

Rethinking Off-Street Parking Requirements

The city’s land use code includes multiple types of policy-driven off-street parking requirements. It exempts all uses in the Downtown, West University, and Blair Boulevard Historic Commercial districts from minimum off-street parking requirements (§9.6410(4)). It imposes maximum parking requirements on all nonresidential uses (§9.6410(2)). And it authorizes parking reductions for shared parking facilities and low-income multifamily housing.

Solar Energy

Eugene's land use code establishes solar setback standards to preserve solar energy availability for one- and two-family dwellings. At least 70% of lots in new subdivisions must meet "solar lot" requirements. The land use code outlines standards and requirements; it also provides for exceptions and exemptions (§9.2780 et seq.).