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