Project Background
What is a Development Code, why do we have one, and why is it being updated? Watch this video!
In 2024, the City of Hood River started a process to update its Development Code (i.e., the Subdivision and Zoning Ordinances, Titles 16 and 17 of the Municipal Code). The project is being done in two phases.
- Phase 1 – the Code Audit – is complete. The Code Audit included recommendations to make the code consistent with State laws, and to make it easier to use, understand and administer. A Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Assessment was developed to minimize inequities, barriers to opportunities, and disparities among different populations.
- Phase 2 – the Code Update – is underway to prepare code amendments using the recommendations of the Code Audit. Development Code amendments were drafted in four batches, or modules. The modules, described below in detail, are organized to follow the structure of the State of Oregon’s Model Code for Small Cities.
Code amendments will be consistent with City plans, as well as State laws that have been adopted in recent years to increase housing availability and affordability, and are expected to result in a more user-friendly Development Code. Funding for the project is being provided in part by the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development.
Opportunities for community members and interested parties to get involved are posted here and emailed to mailing list members. Please use the “Sign-up Email” Form below to receive project updates.
Latest News
March 31, 2026 – Community Engagement Reports
After obtaining feedback from the Planning Commission and City Council for each of the four code modules during the summer and autumn of 2025, the project management team gathered community feedback through a variety of engagement efforts and began preparing a consolidated set of draft code amendments.
In December of 2025, interviews were held with community members including housing developers, design professionals, advocacy groups and agency partners. And, in February of 2026, facilitators from The Next Door, Inc. conducted a focus group interview with Spanish speaking community members. A summary of recurring themes from these interviews, and more detailed notes, are available here:
- Interview and Focus Group Summary in English
- Interview and Focus Group Summary in Spanish (prepared by an online translation tool).
A series of five “Topic of the Week” questionnaires also were published to obtain community feedback on topics discussed by the Planning Commission and City Council during their work sessions in 2025. Results are here:
- “Topic of the Week” Questionnaire Results in English
- “Topic of the Week” Questionnaire Results in Spanish (prepared by an online translation tool).
Code Modules 1 Through 4
Module 1 Work Sessions - Code Organization & General Provisions
The City Planning Commission held its first work session for the Development Code Update on June 16, 2025, focusing on the first batch of draft code materials, “Module 1.” Download the Commission’s Module 1 packet here (English / Spanish) or through their meeting calendar.
The City Council held its first work session for the Development Code Update on June 23, 2025, also focusing on the Module 1 draft code materials. The meeting agenda and Code Update materials are available for download through the City Council’s meeting calendar (and here, see pages 40-65).
Module 2 Work Sessions - Application Review Procedures & Approved Criteria
The City Council held a work session for Module 2 on July 21, 2025. Council’s Module 2 materials can be downloaded through this link.
A work session for Module 2 was expected to be held by the City Planning Commission on August 4, 2025. This meeting was cancelled, however, the Commission’s Module 2 materials can be downloaded here (English / Spanish) and feedback can be provided through the Contact Portal located near the bottom of this webpage.
Module 3 Work Sessions - Zoning Regulations & Special Use Standards
The Planning Commission held a work session for Module 3 on September 15, 2025. Download the Commission’s Module 3 packet here (English / Spanish) or through their meeting calendar.
The City Council held a work session for Module 3 on September 22, 2025. The meeting agenda and Code Update materials are available for download through the City’s meeting calendar (and here, see pages 118-123 as well as Module 3 draft code here.)
Module 4 Work Sessions - Building and Site Design Standards
The Planning Commission held a work session for Module 4 on November 17, 2025. Module 4 focuses on building and site design standards including for parking, landscaping, outdoor lighting, fences, tree preservation, site access and street improvements, as well as installation of public facilities. Download the Commission’s Module 4 packet here (English / Spanish) or through their meeting calendar.
The City Council held a work session for Module 4 on November 24, 2025, and reviewed feedback from the Planning Commission. The meeting agenda and Code Update materials are available for download through the City’s meeting calendar.
Code Update (Phase 2) Schedule
- Project Kick-off: March-April 2025
- Draft Code Recommendations (in four parts): April-October 2025
- Briefings with Planning Commission and City Council: June-November 2025
- Interested Party and Community Group Meetings: November 2025-February 2026
- Draft Code Amendments: December 2025-May 2026
- Work Sessions with City Council to Review Final Draft Code Amendments: May-July 2026
- Final Code Amendments: July 2026
- Public Hearings for Adoption before the Planning Commission and City Council: July-August 2026
- The schedule is being refined as the project moves forward.
Code Audit (Phase 1)
The Development Code Audit identified inconsistencies within the development code, and with City plans and State laws. Download Code Audit documents in English and Spanish here:
- Project Kick-off: March 2024
- Initial City Council Presentation: April 2024
- Stakeholder Meetings: June 2024
- Code Audit Findings and Recommendations: July and August 2024
- Work sessions with City Council and Planning Commission: July 2024
- Phase 1 Code Update Recommendations: October 2024
- The City Council held a work session to discuss the Development Code Audit & Update project during their regularly-scheduled meeting on October 15, 2024 (beginning on page 86 of the packet). At that time, staff and consultants presented initial code update recommendations to address the findings of the Code Audit Report, as well as recommendations for community engagement during the Code Update process (Phase 2).
- Staff and the project consultant presented an update to the City Council about the Code Update process during their meeting on January 13, 2025 (beginning on page 4 of the packet).
Frequently Asked Questions (ask and help build the FAQ!)
General Questions
How does the Development Code affect the average person in Hood River?
The Development Code implements the City’s Comprehensive Plan by regulating how land can be used and developed in the city. It specifies how different types of housing can be developed for community members (e.g., more traditional individual homes, duplexes, townhouses and apartments), and helps make commercial areas more diverse and accessible. It provides directions to developers to help connect neighborhoods with places to shop, work and recreate.
Why is the City undertaking this project now?
With new State requirements to increase housing availability and affordability, and shortcomings in the existing Code, the City determined it is important to move forward with this project. The City’s Planning Department received a grant from the Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) to assist in achieving the project goals.
What are the overall goals of the project?
The Code Audit identified areas where the code is inconsistent with State laws that were adopted in recent years to increase housing availability and affordability, and this requires code updates. Goals of the project include making the Development Code easier to use, understand and administer. The project also includes assessment of whether the current code perpetuates systemic inequities, reinforces segregation, or concentrates burdens on specific communities.
How long will the process take?
The code audit took about seven months, with the work concluding in October of 2024. Phase 2 of the project – updating the code – is expected to conclude by summer of 2026.
How can people learn more about the project?
Please use the sign-up form below to join the project email list.
Who should I contact if I have questions or ideas to communicate about the code audit?
Please use the Contact Portal below.
Additional Questions
What aspects of housing is the City focusing on?
All forms of housing are being addressed as part of this effort. However, special emphasis is given to forms of housing that have the potential to be less costly to build and more affordable for people with low and moderate incomes. This can include multi-family housing (apartments), as well as other forms of housing built by non-profit or other affordable housing developers and/or subsidized with public funding. It also will focus on types of housing explicitly identified in State rules and laws.
What other elements of the Development Code will be affected?
In addition to identifying inconsistencies with State law, this project will address any conflicts or inconsistencies within the code itself, grammatical or formatting errors and known problem sections.
Who will participate in interested party and community group meetings?
City staff and project consultants will interview development community representatives and other community members and interested parties including developers themselves, participants of City review committees and boards, partnering government agencies, and City departments and others. During Phase 2 of the project, there will be additional opportunities for community members to participate including small group meetings and online surveys, with regular mailing list updates. All community members are encouraged to submit questions and comments by using the Contact Portal below, and sign up for email updates.
What did the City do with the Development Code Audit?
The results of the Code Audit, as well as subsequent community conversations, are being used to inform the Code Update (Phase 2).
Sign-up for Project Updates
Please use the form below to be added to the Development Code Update email list. The email list is used to notify participants of scheduled events and significant happenings, and to provide general updates on progress for this effort.
Contact Portal for Development Code Update
Do you have comments to share, or questions about the Development Code Update that were not answered in the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) above? If so, please send comments and questions through this project portal.