New Oregon Housing Rules

A new state law (known as House Bill 2001 or HB2001) requires “middle housing” to be allowed in residential areas of counties and cities, including Beaverton. Middle housing includes duplexes, triplexes, quadplexes, townhouses and cottage clusters.

More information is available in this fact sheet:

New Oregon Middle Housing Rules

Housing Options Project Next Steps

City staff are developing alternative ways the city could guide where and how middle housing could be allowed in Beaverton.  Community members will have the opportunity to review and comment on the alternatives this winter/spring.

Project Description

The region, like most of the country, is experiencing a shift in the type and location of desired housing. People that want to age in their neighborhood, move closer to job centers, or start a family are just a few trends affecting housing needs and preferences. Beaverton is trying to meet the growing demand for more housing options. 

However, in many parts of Beaverton, only single-family homes are allowed. This project will consider where and how other types of homes might be allowed in the city’s residential areas in a way that considers the size and shape of homes already in the neighborhood.

Staff will work with the community to evaluate these and other similar housing types:

• Accessory dwelling units (small units added inside existing homes or in separate structures)
• Duplexes
• Triplexes
• Four-plexes
• Townhouses
• Small homes on one lot that share gardens or lawns 

The project will consider where and how these additional housing types could be allowed to:

• Provide more places to live for people with different housing needs, preferences and income levels.
• Encourage diverse housing options so people can stay in their neighborhoods as their needs change.
• Give property owners more choices and flexibility over what types of housing they can build on their land.
• Assist with affordability by allowing more units and smaller units in existing neighborhoods.

Process 

The process will include:

• Documenting Beaverton’s existing neighborhoods, including the age, size, shape and placement of homes in existing neighborhoods.
• Exploring opportunities for adding new housing types that are not currently allowed.
• Developing alternative ways to allow new housing types in neighborhoods.
• Determining a preferred approach to allow new housing types.
• Preparing changes to the city’s development rules that implement the preferred approach.
• Sharing new housing opportunities with the community about potential changes in neighborhoods.

Beaverton staff will conduct public engagement at each step to learn about preferences and concerns relating to new housing types, including their location and design considerations. 

The City Council will make the final decision about any changes to development rules that would result from this project.