Shelter To Housing Continuum Zoning Code Changes
Portland, Oregon- The Shelter to Housing Continuum (S2HC) project addresses the urgent need to provide more options for those who are homeless – or could potentially experience homelessness – and facilitates transitions to permanent housing for housing-vulnerable Portlanders.
Submit Your Testimony At City Council March 17th, 2021
This is an opportunity for those who are advocates for tiny houses and advocates for the homeless and for those that are at risk to become homeless.
Proposed Amendments
The proposed amendments to City code would allow needed emergency shelters, day storage and hygiene facilities, transitional living facilities, and stable housing for individuals and households with extremely low incomes. It would also improve how the regulatory environment affects for-profit, nonprofit, and public sector shelter and housing providers.
The Proposals Fall Into Four Categories:
- Traditional sheltering and temporary facilities
- Outdoor shelters and day facilities
- Housing flexibility through group living
- Limited occupancy of a recreational vehicle or a tiny house on wheels on residential property.
Changes Include Recreational Vehicles And Tiny Houses On Wheels
What Are Recreational Vehicles And Tiny Houses On Wheels?
They are vehicles, not buildings. The term is used to refer to campers, motor homes, vacation trailers and fifth-wheel trailers. Tiny homes on wheels and park model recreational vehicles are also included. These are small homes built on a trailer, using a campsite style hook up for water, electricity and sewer. Vehicles are regulated by the Oregon Department of Transportation’s Motor Vehicles Division and are not subject to state and city building codes. The current City code prohibits residential occupancy of vehicles, but enforcement of this prohibition is de-emphasized pending a decision on whether to loosen the prohibition.
Where Will Recreational Vehicles Be Allowed?
One recreational vehicle or tiny house on wheels will be allowed on a residential lot as a replacement of an allowed accessory dwelling unit, provided it meets certain industry construction standards. This allowance:
- Acknowledges that many people already live in a recreational vehicles or a tiny house.
- Provides a lower cost option for people who might not be able to afford to rent an accessory dwelling unit, apartment or house.
Recreational vehicles and tiny houses on wheels would also be allowed in outdoor shelters, church parking lots, manufactured home parks and commercial campgrounds.
Why Only One Recreational Vehicle Or Tiny House On Wheels Per Residential Lot?
- Under state law, two or more on any one lot is considered a campground, requiring a state license.
- In Portland, campgrounds or recreational vehicle parks are already allowed in commercial zones.
This one per lot limit does not apply to recreational vehicles and tiny houses on wheels in manufactured home parks.
How Will Utilities Be Provided To RVs And Tiny Houses On Wheels?
The proposed code requires that a campground-style utility hookup be installed, with a plug for electricity and connections to City water and sewer.
Public Testimony
The recommended proposals will be considered by the Portland City Council at a public hearing on March 17 at 2 p.m. The public is invited to submit formal comments (public testimony) to City Council in writing, online via the Map App, or remotely at that time.
Testify In Writing
Submitting written testimony online is as easy as sending an email. Visit the Map App and then click “Testify.” Written testimony will be accepted until 2 p.m. on March 17th, 2021.
The project has been a collaborative effort with the Joint City-County Office of Homeless Services, the Portland Housing Bureau, and the Bureau of Development Services.
Recommended Draft Changes
The S2HC Recommended Draft contains three volumes:
