City of Portland | January 1, 2016 |
The Accessory Structures Zoning Code Update revises the Portland’s Zoning Code regulations for accessory structures with a focus on detached accessory structures associated with residential development. In the Zoning Code, detached accessory structures are divided into four types: detached covered accessory structures (e.g. garages, ADUs, greenhouses); detached vertical uncovered structures (e.g. flag poles, trellises, play structures); detached uncovered horizontal structures (e.g. decks, hot tubs, stairways); and mechanical equipment (e.g. heat pumps, radon filters).
The main purpose of existing regulations is to prevent accessory structures from becoming the predominate element on the site. Other purposes include providing access around structures, helping maintain privacy to abutting properties, and ensuring that accessory dwelling units (ADUs) respect the look and scale of single-dwelling development. They do this by regulating setbacks, height in and out of the setbacks, building size, location, building coverage, and compatibility standards.