Deschutes County may bar permits for code violators

The Deschutes County Planning Commission will receive public input on proposed changes to the county’s development code next Thursday, Oct. 22, at 5:30 p.m. at the Deschutes Services Building, 1300 NW Wall Street in Bend.

The proposed changes would impact how the county processes permits for properties with existing code violations.

If the proposed changes are adopted, the county will no longer process development applications and/or building permits for properties with existing code violations, unless the application or permit would remedy the existing violation. The proposed changes would allow for exceptions to be made in emergency situations.

The public testified about the issue of land use applications and building permits on properties with existing code violations in 2014, when the county was updating its Code Enforcement Manual.

At the request of the Board of County Commissioners, county planning staff formed a stakeholder group to discuss the issue.Stakeholders met several times between January and April and reached agreement on the proposed code language in May.

For reference: File 247-000491-TA would amend Deschutes County Code (DCC) by adding a new section at 22.20.015 and amend DCC 1.16.010 to reference the new DCC 22.20.015.?

For more information, contact Deschutes County Senior Transportation Planner Peter Russell at (541) 383-6728 or peter.russell@deschutes.org.