ORS 197A.348
Definition of “needed housing.”

(1)

As used in ORS 197A.350 (Determination of housing capacity and accommodation of needed housing by Metro) and this section, “needed housing” means all housing on land zoned for residential use or mixed residential and commercial use that is determined to meet the need shown for housing within an urban growth boundary at price ranges and rent levels that are affordable to households within the county with a variety of incomes, including but not limited to households with low incomes, very low incomes and extremely low incomes, as those terms are defined by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development under 42 U.S.C. 1437a. “Needed housing” includes the following housing types:

(a)

Attached and detached single-family housing, middle housing types as described in ORS 197A.420 (Duplexes) and multiple family housing for both owner and renter occupancy;

(b)

Government assisted housing;

(c)

Mobile home or manufactured dwelling parks as provided in ORS 197.475 (Policy) to 197.493 (Placement and occupancy of recreational vehicle);

(d)

Manufactured homes on individual lots planned and zoned for single-family residential use that are in addition to lots within designated manufactured dwelling subdivisions;

(e)

Agriculture workforce housing; and

(f)

Single room occupancies as defined in ORS 197A.430 (Single room occupancies).

(2)

For the purpose of estimating housing needs, as described in ORS 197A.350 (Determination of housing capacity and accommodation of needed housing by Metro) (3)(b), Metro shall adopt findings and perform an analysis that estimates each of the following factors:

(a)

Projected needed housing units over the next 20 years;

(b)

Current housing underproduction;

(c)

Housing units needed for people experiencing homelessness; and

(d)

Housing units projected to be converted into vacation homes or second homes during the next 20 years.

(3)

Metro shall make the estimate described in subsection (2) of this section using a shorter time period than since the last review under ORS 197A.350 (Determination of housing capacity and accommodation of needed housing by Metro) (2)(a)(B) if Metro finds that the shorter time period will provide more accurate and reliable data related to housing need. The shorter time period may not be less than three years.

(4)

Metro shall use data from a wider geographic area or use a time period longer than the time period described in subsection (2) of this section if the analysis of a wider geographic area or the use of a longer time period will provide more accurate, complete and reliable data relating to trends affecting housing need than an analysis performed pursuant to subsection (2) of this section. Metro must clearly describe the geographic area, time frame and source of data used in an estimate performed under this subsection.

(5)

Subsection (1)(a) and (d) of this section does not apply to a city with a population of less than 2,500.

(6)

Metro may take an exception under ORS 197.732 (Goal exceptions) to the definition of “needed housing” in subsection (1) of this section in the same manner that an exception may be taken under the goals. [Formerly 197.303]

Source: Section 197A.348 — Definition of “needed housing.”, https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors197A.­html (accessed May 26, 2025).

Notes of Decisions

LCDC may not require Happy Valley, city with population of less than 2,500, to provide specific housing mix by types. City of Happy Valley v. LCDC, 66 Or App 795, 677 P2d 43 (1984)

Exception from part of definition for cities with population of less than 2,500 and counties with population of less than 15,000 does not excuse such cities and counties from having clear and objective standards that do not discourage needed housing in city or county comprehensive plan. Montgomery v. City of Dunes City, 236 Or App 194, 236 P3d 750 (2010)

197A.015
Definitions for ORS 197.475 to 197.493 and ORS chapter 197A 197A.018
Definition of “needed housing.” 197A.020
Limitations on requiring contribution for government assisted housing 197A.025
Policy 197A.030
Department support to local governments to incentivize needed housing 197A.100
Housing production strategy 197A.103
Review of housing production strategy 197A.110
City report on housing permitting and production 197A.115
City report on implementation of housing production strategy 197A.130
Identification of cities with unmet housing needs 197A.200
Local government planning for needed housing 197A.205
Housing and Community Services Department review of certain local housing measures 197A.210
Development-ready lands 197A.215
Application to remove property from within urban growth boundary 197A.230
Definitions for ORS 197A.230 to 197A.250 197A.232
Findings regarding long-range planning 197A.235
Designation of rural and urban reserves pursuant to intergovernmental agreement 197A.242
Coordinated and concurrent process for designation of urban and rural reserves 197A.245
Urban reserves 197A.250
Designation of certain Washington County lands 197A.270
Determination of housing capacity and accommodation of needed housing by cities with population of 25,000 or greater 197A.278
Lane County accommodation of needed housing 197A.280
Determination of housing capacity and accommodation of needed housing by cities with population of less than 25,000 197A.285
Priority of land to be included within urban growth boundaries 197A.300
Definition of “serviceable.” 197A.302
Purposes 197A.305
Alternative amendment process 197A.310
Cities with population of less than 10,000 197A.312
Cities with population of 10,000 or greater 197A.315
Expansion study areas 197A.325
Review of final decision of city 197A.335
Determination of housing capacity and accommodation of needed housing by Metro cities 197A.348
Definition of “needed housing.” 197A.350
Determination of housing capacity and accommodation of needed housing by Metro 197A.355
Priority of land to be included within Metro urban growth boundary 197A.358
Metro urban growth boundary designation 197A.362
Timing of Metro accommodation of needed housing 197A.365
Metro housing coordination strategy 197A.370
Metro report of performance measures 197A.372
Metro evaluation of accommodation of needed housing 197A.395
Limits on local government prohibitions 197A.400
Clear and objective approval criteria required 197A.420
Duplexes 197A.425
Accessory dwelling units 197A.430
Single room occupancies 197A.445
Affordable housing allowed outright 197A.460
Residential use of commercial lands for affordable housing 197A.465
Local requirements to develop affordable housing 197A.470
Final action on affordable housing application 197A.500
Definitions for ORS 197A.500 to 197A.521 197A.502
Legislative findings 197A.503
Preemptive effect of ORS 197A.500 to 197A.521 197A.505
Establishment of criteria for decisions in land use final order 197A.507
Procedure for review of established criteria 197A.509
Development of land use final order 197A.511
Land use final order 197A.513
Plan amendments 197A.515
Land Use Board of Appeals review of land use final order 197A.517
Supreme Court review of Land Use Board of Appeals opinion on land use final order 197A.519
Amendments to land use final order 197A.521
Failure to meet timeline

Current through early 2026

§ 197A.348. Definition of “needed housing.”'s source at oregon​.gov