ORS 203.720
Electors of county may adopt, amend, revise or repeal county charter

  • certain provisions, deemed matters of county concern, to prevail over state law
The electors of any county, by majority vote of such electors voting thereon at any legally called election, may adopt, amend, revise or repeal a county charter. The charter, or legislation passed by the county pursuant thereto, shall provide a method whereby the electors of the county, by majority vote of such electors voting thereon at any legally called election, may amend, revise or repeal the charter. The county charter and legislative provisions relating to the amendment, revision or repeal of the charter are deemed to be matters of county concern and shall prevail over any conflicting provisions of ORS 203.710 (Performance of functions by officers designated by county law) to 203.770 (Copies of charters and amendments, revisions and repeals) and other state statutes unless otherwise specifically provided by conflicting state statutes first effective after January 1, 1961. [1959 c.527 §2]

Source: Section 203.720 — Electors of county may adopt, amend, revise or repeal county charter; certain provisions, deemed matters of county concern, to prevail over state law, https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors203.­html.

Notes of Decisions

Requirement of “legally called election” governs only in absence of contrary county law, and did not prohibit county board from holding special election on initiative petition where county charter provided for such special elections. Brummell v. Clark, 31 Or App 405, 570 P2d 671 (1977)

State substantive policy may be phrased as prohibition against local regulation without further elaboration or direction. deParrie v. State of Oregon, 133 Or App 613, 893 P2d 541 (1995), Sup Ct review denied

“Matters of county concern” does not include regulation of conduct of state or federal officials within county. State v. Logsdon, 165 Or App 28, 995 P2d 1178 (2000), Sup Ct review denied

203.010
General powers of county as body politic and corporate 203.015
Power of county to contract for purchase or lease of real or personal property 203.030
Definition for ORS 203.030 to 203.075 203.035
Power of county governing body or electors over matters of county concern 203.040
Inapplicability of ordinances inside incorporated city 203.045
Procedure for adopting ordinance 203.055
Referral of taxation related ordinance 203.060
Judicial review and invalidation of ordinances 203.065
Violation of county ordinances 203.075
Applicable law for local improvement assessments 203.085
County election dates 203.105
Program in Governor’s office to assist counties in fiscal distress 203.111
County governing body 203.115
County power to change fees 203.132
Inclusion of property outside county or in city in county assessment for local improvement 203.135
Eminent domain power of county 203.145
Appointment of legal counsel for county governing body 203.148
Public Land Corner Preservation Fund 203.230
Abolishing office of county judge and establishing board of county commissioners in noncharter county 203.240
Organization, powers and duties of board 203.710
Performance of functions by officers designated by county law 203.720
Electors of county may adopt, amend, revise or repeal county charter 203.725
County charter amendment 203.730
Charter committee appointed after filing of resolution or petition 203.740
Charter committee and members 203.750
County funds for charter committee 203.760
Submission of proposed charter to electors after public hearing 203.770
Copies of charters and amendments, revisions and repeals 203.810
Offenses under county law
Green check means up to date. Up to date

Current through early 2024

§ 203.720’s source at oregon​.gov