Bolthole Index

Curry County, Oregon

Building permits, zoning and land rules in Curry County, Oregon

57Index Score / 100
#20 of 36 in Oregon

Curry County, Oregon requires a building permit for covered residential construction, and the county Building Division issues permits and inspects the work12. Every site or structure development also starts with county planning clearance3. Curry County has zoning, while residential septic permits go through the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality's Medford Office rather than the county45.

At a glance

Building permit
Required for covered residential construction; issued by the Curry County Building Division1
Planning clearance
Required for any development to a site or structure before a structural application moves to Building3
Zoning
Yes; uses, lot size, height and setbacks depend on the parcel's county zone6
Septic permit
Issued by Oregon DEQ's Medford Office through Oregon e-Permitting7
RV living
Zone-specific; R-1 allows temporary residential use during construction or for qualifying watchman security with conditional-use approval8
Tiny home
Site-built and manufactured units can qualify with dwelling permits; an RV-type unit cannot be a permanent home outside an approved RV park91011
Owner-builder
A narrow structural-code exemption is available, but a building permit is still required12
Private well
Domestic use may be water-right exempt, but landowner well construction has separate permit, fee and bond rules1314

Who to call

Building permits

Curry County Building Division

Accepts and reviews building permit applications, reviews construction plans, issues permits and inspects work for compliance with state specialty codes

Online permits →

Zoning

Curry County Planning Department

Planning clearance, zoning and land-use applications, including flood-hazard development review

(541) 247-3284

planning@currycountyor.gov

94235 Moore Street, Suite 113 Gold Beach, OR 97444

Septic permits

Oregon DEQ Medford Office

Residential and small-business septic permits for Curry County

541-776-6010

Online permits →

Roads & driveways

Curry County Road Department

County-road questions, including the facility permit required before constructing a private driveway access point at a county road

541-247-7097

Contact details are copied from each office’s official page and were checked against it on October 14, 2026.

Off-grid gear

Going off-grid in Curry County means bringing your own water and power. The kit we’d start with:

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Do you need a building permit in Curry County, Oregon?

Yes. A building permit is required to construct, enlarge, alter, repair or move a residential building or structure in Curry County, subject to specific exemptions15. Curry County applies the Oregon Residential Specialty Code to construction, reconstruction and repair of houses, duplexes and townhouses16. The county Building Division reviews applications and plans, issues permits, and inspects structural, mechanical, plumbing and electrical work2. A qualifying detached, nonhabitable accessory structure can be exempt when it is under 200 square feet and under 15 feet in average roof height, but exempt building work may still need trade permits and must comply with land-use rules15. Oregon's owner-builder exemption only relaxes structural-code rules for ceiling heights, room sizes and temperature maintenance in a qualifying owner-built home or outbuilding; Curry County must still issue a building permit12. An agricultural building on a qualifying farm or forest operation may be exempt only from the structural code; dwellings are excluded, trade permits still apply, and Curry County Planning determines whether the parcel qualifies17. Curry County's published structural schedule starts at $320 for work valued from $1 through $500, with a $200 minimum permit fee and separate plan-review or inspection charges where applicable18.

Who handles Curry County building permits, and how do you reach them?

The Curry County Building Division reviews plans, issues building permits and inspects work under Oregon's specialty codes2. Building applications can be tracked through Oregon e-Permitting2. Start with the separate Curry County Planning Department at 94235 Moore Street, Suite 113, Gold Beach, OR 97444, planning@currycountyor.gov or (541) 247-3284, because any development to a site or structure requires planning-clearance approval19. Once Planning approves an application involving structural development, it forwards the application to Building to start the building-permit process; planning clearance remains valid for one year and authorizes only the development described in the application3. For a driveway meeting a county road, call the Curry County Road Department at 541-247-7097 about the required facility permit2021. A new approach to an Oregon state highway, or a changed use of an existing connection, instead requires written permission from ODOT22.

Does Curry County, Oregon have zoning?

Yes. Curry County assigns properties a zone based on location and characteristics, and the zoning ordinance determines which land uses are allowed619. Minimum lot sizes depend on the zone: Rural Residential uses 2, 5 or 10 acres according to Comprehensive Plan policies, Rural Community Residential uses 1, 2.5, 5 or 10 acres, and the Timber zone generally has an 80-acre minimum232425. In R-1 and R-3, the minimum is generally one acre without community water or sewer, 12,000 square feet with one of those utilities, and 6,000 square feet with both, subject to ordinance exceptions2627. A manufactured home in R-1 must be multi-sectional and enclose at least 1,000 square feet28. Building height is zone-specific, and an airport overlay adds review above 35 feet and bars penetration of airport imaginary surfaces2930. General setbacks and added waterbody, agricultural-edge, fire-break or natural-hazard rules still apply31. A second dwelling can be possible: on a residential lot of at least 2 acres in the RR2, RR5 and RR10 zones outside an urban growth boundary, one accessory dwelling of up to 900 square feet may be placed within 100 feet of the existing house, if the lot is in a rural fire protection district32. Inside an urban growth boundary, in the RCR, R-1, R-2 and R-3 zones, an accessory dwelling must be between 240 and 1,200 square feet and the owner must live in one of the two dwellings33. Inside Brookings and Port Orford, the city's own zoning applies rather than the county's3435; Curry County governs unincorporated land such as Harbor36.

How do septic permits work in Curry County?

Oregon DEQ's Medford Office, not Curry County, directly permits residential and small-business septic systems in Curry County through Oregon e-Permitting7. A septic permit is required to install, alter or repair a system; complete online applications must include the required fees and exhibits, and an issued installation permit is valid for one year37. Where municipal sewer is unavailable, a septic system is the way to handle sanitary disposal, and not every property has the space, setbacks, soil and groundwater for one38. The Medford Office is appointment-only and answers questions at 541-776-601039. A property within a city limit, urban growth boundary, sanitary district or similar urbanizing area may have to use an accessible public sewer instead, and the septic application requires a sewer-authority statement where applicable40. Plan around a difficult site evaluation: 0% of mapped Curry County soils are rated free of severe limits for a conventional septic drain field, meaning nearly all mapped soils carry a severe limitation rather than proving that every parcel is unusable41. A new installation needs a final inspection request, as-built drawing, photos and materials list, followed by a pre-cover inspection42. If you are buying a home with an existing system, an evaluation is voluntary in Oregon, but a certified evaluator and DEQ's report form are used if you commission one43.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in Curry County?

Curry County classifies a tiny home by how it is built. A chassis-and-axle unit is treated as an RV and cannot be placed permanently as a primary residence except in an approved RV park11. A tiny home licensed as a manufactured home may go wherever a manufactured home is permitted, with planning clearance, a manufactured-placement permit, a permanent foundation and the applicable setback, septic and water approvals10. Manufactured homes are permitted outright with planning clearance in R-1, R-2 and R-3, subject to each zone's standards4445. A site-built tiny home on a permanent foundation must meet all planning and building requirements for a dwelling9. A temporary RV or manufactured home may be allowed beside an existing primary dwelling for a documented medical hardship, with annual renewal and removal when the hardship ends46. Separately, R-1 allows temporary RV residence during construction or qualifying watchman security only with conditional-use approval8. A campground in the Timber zone is for overnight vacation, recreational or emergency stays in a tent, travel trailer or RV, and not for residential use, so it does not answer whether you can live on your own timber parcel47.

Building a home in Curry County: the steps, in order

  1. Ask Curry County Planning at (541) 247-3284 to confirm the parcel's zone, allowed dwelling type, setbacks and any floodplain review1948.
  2. Submit the Planning Clearance Application with the erosion-control form required for most applications; approval lasts one year, covers only the proposed development and is then forwarded to Building when structural work is involved49.
  3. Confirm whether an accessible public sewer must serve the parcel; if not, establish septic feasibility and apply online to Oregon DEQ4037.
  4. Submit structural, mechanical, plumbing and electrical applications to Curry County Building, then budget from the county fee schedule according to permit type, valuation and review250.
  5. Have a new or reconstructed private driveway designed by an Oregon-licensed engineer, provide preliminary plans to Planning and the Roadmaster, and obtain the county facility permit where the driveway meets a county road; state-highway access instead needs ODOT permission512022.
  6. Keep permitted work exposed for each required inspection, complete the septic pre-cover inspection, and obtain the certificate of occupancy before moving into the new dwelling524253.

What to check before you buy land in Curry County, Oregon

Start with buildability, not the listing description. Only about 14% of Curry County land is at a slope of 15% or less, and 0% of mapped soils are rated free of severe limits for a conventional septic drain field, so confirm a usable homesite, access design and septic feasibility before closing5441. About 88.7% of the county is federal land and 94% is wooded, making boundaries, legal access and vegetation conditions especially important parcel checks5556. Do not buy a proposed lot before final county approval and recording: Curry County will not issue building, road-access or septic-installation permits for land that does not comply with its land-division ordinance, and partitions need a Land Use Application to Planning5758. Development in a mapped floodplain requires county flood-hazard review, and a dwelling may face elevation and siting restrictions where safer buildable land exists59. Domestic well use up to 15,000 gallons per day may be water-right exempt, but an owner drilling a well still needs the separate construction permit, fee and financial security1314. The effective property-tax rate is about 0.5%, with a median annual bill near $1,9486061.

Watch-outs

  • Planning clearance is required before development, even when a small structure qualifies for a building-permit exemption315.
  • Curry County's mapped soils all carry severe limitations for a conventional septic drain field, so make septic feasibility an early purchase contingency rather than assuming an ordinary system will fit41.
  • County-road access needs a Road Department facility permit, while a new or changed state-highway connection needs written ODOT permission2022.
  • A short-term rental in unincorporated Curry County needs a county land-use permit from the Planning Director before operating or advertising, plus a fire, life and safety inspection by the Building Official and review every two years6263. Occupancy is capped at two people per bedroom plus two, never more than 15, and the driveway needs 16 feet of horizontal and 12 feet of vertical clearance646265.

Sources

  1. Curry County Building Division (2026 county census)
  2. Curry County Building Division (currycountyor.gov)
  3. Building Division, quoted and re-checked
  4. Planning Department (2026 county census)
  5. Oregon DEQ - Residential Septic Permitting (2026 county census)
  6. Planning Department, quoted and re-checked
  7. Residential Septic Permitting, quoted and re-checked
  8. Curry County Zoning Ordinance (Amended September 2022), quoted and re-checked
  9. Tiny Homes in Curry County, quoted and re-checked
  10. Tiny Homes in Curry County, quoted and re-checked
  11. Tiny Homes in Curry County, quoted and re-checked
  12. 2023 Oregon Residential Specialty Code - Chapter 1, quoted and re-checked
  13. Water Rights FAQs, quoted and re-checked
  14. Landowner Constructed Wells, quoted and re-checked
  15. About Oregon residential building permits, quoted and re-checked
  16. Residential Structures Code Program, quoted and re-checked
  17. Statewide Code Interpretation No. 13-03: Agriculture/Forestry/Additional Uses, quoted and re-checked
  18. County Department Fee Schedule 2024-25, quoted and re-checked
  19. Curry County Planning Department (currycountyor.gov)
  20. Curry County Planning Commission Final Order, File No. AP-2502, quoted and re-checked
  21. Curry County Road Department (currycountyor.gov)
  22. Oregon Department of Transportation Access Management, quoted and re-checked
  23. Curry County Zoning Ordinance (Amended September 2022), quoted and re-checked
  24. Curry County Zoning Ordinance (Amended September 2022), quoted and re-checked
  25. Curry County Zoning Ordinance (Amended September 2022), quoted and re-checked
  26. Curry County Zoning Ordinance (Amended September 2022), quoted and re-checked
  27. Curry County Zoning Ordinance (Amended September 2022), quoted and re-checked
  28. Curry County Zoning Ordinance (Amended September 2022), quoted and re-checked
  29. Curry County Zoning Ordinance (Amended September 2022), quoted and re-checked
  30. Curry County Zoning Ordinance (Amended September 2022), quoted and re-checked
  31. cms6.revize.com, quoted and re-checked
  32. Curry County Zoning Code Attachments — Articles I, II, III, IV and VIII, quoted and re-checked
  33. Curry County Zoning Ordinance (Amended September 2022), Section 4.090, quoted and re-checked
  34. Brookings: Chapter 17.12 Establishment of Zoning Districts and Zoning Map - City of Brookings, OR (Curry County), quoted and re-checked
  35. Port Orford: City of Port Orford, OR Code of Ordinances (eCode360) table of contents (Curry County), quoted and re-checked
  36. Planning Department, quoted and re-checked
  37. Residential Septic Permitting, quoted and re-checked
  38. Housing and Onsite Wastewater Management, quoted and re-checked
  39. Oregon DEQ Medford Office (oregon.gov)
  40. Onsite Wastewater (Septic) Rules Update, quoted and re-checked
  41. Share of soils USDA rates "not limited" for a conventional septic drain field (SSURGO). A strict rating: the median county is about 6% and a tenth of counties are 0%, so a low figure means most lots need a site evaluation or an engineered system, not that septic is impossible. Cite it only with that caveat: Bolthole Index county data
  42. Residential Septic Permitting, quoted and re-checked
  43. Oregon Septic Smart, quoted and re-checked
  44. Curry County Zoning Code Attachments — Articles I, II, III, IV and VIII, quoted and re-checked
  45. Curry County Zoning Code Attachments — Articles I, II, III, IV and VIII, quoted and re-checked
  46. Planning Department, quoted and re-checked
  47. Curry County Zoning Ordinance (Amended September 2022), quoted and re-checked
  48. Planning Department, quoted and re-checked
  49. Planning Department, quoted and re-checked
  50. County Department Fee Schedule, quoted and re-checked
  51. Curry County Planning Commission Final Order, File AP-2502, quoted and re-checked
  52. 2023 Oregon Residential Specialty Code - Chapter 1, quoted and re-checked
  53. 2023 Oregon Residential Specialty Code - Chapter 1, quoted and re-checked
  54. Share of land at 15% slope or less: Bolthole Index county data
  55. Federal land share: Bolthole Index county data
  56. Wooded share of land: Bolthole Index county data
  57. Curry County Land Division Ordinance, quoted and re-checked
  58. Planning Department, quoted and re-checked
  59. Curry County Floodplain Review Staff Report, quoted and re-checked
  60. Effective property tax rate: Bolthole Index county data
  61. Median property tax bill: Bolthole Index county data
  62. Planning Department, quoted and re-checked
  63. Curry County Zoning Ordinance Articles I, II, III, IV and VIII, quoted and re-checked
  64. Curry County Zoning Ordinance Articles I, II, III, IV and VIII, quoted and re-checked
  65. Curry County Zoning Ordinance Articles I, II, III, IV and VIII, quoted and re-checked

Written October 14, 2026 from the rules quoted below, each taken from an official source and re-checked by an independent reviewer. This is research, not legal advice: rules change, so confirm with the office before you buy or build.

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Compared with neighboring counties

Like all 6 of its neighbors, Curry County requires a building permit for a home.

RuleCurry CountyJosephine CountyCoos CountyJackson CountyDouglas CountyLane CountyKlamath County
Building permitRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequiredRequired
County zoningYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
Septic permitsOR DEQOR DEQCounty Community DevelopmentOR DEQ Onsite Wastewater ProgramCounty On-Site ServicesCounty Land Management Div.County Community Development

County locator

Curry County in Oregon

57
County map
Curry County highlighted among the Oregon counties · colored by Index score

How Curry County scores

Seclusion86100% ev.
Self-Sufficiency42100% ev.
Admin Boringness42100% ev.
Durability29100% ev.
Property Autonomy72100% ev.
Carry Cost66100% ev.

Evidence strength: 100%. This reports direct-source completeness and fallback use; it is separate from the score and is not a confidence interval. How it works →

$459kTypical home
0.5%Property tax
$5,104Land / acre
83.4"Annual rain
18% of yrsSevere drought
0.1 / yr (+0.1)Mid-century 100°F days
32.8 daysMid-century dry spell
4.41" (+5.9%)Mid-century 1-day rain
1.17×Wildfire change factor
100%Forward climate coverage
$1,251Home insurance / yr
1.5% / yrInsurance growth
0.7%Nonrenewal rate
county median (2+ published ZIPs)Insurance basis
29,753People within 2 hr
4,513Radius comparison (15 mi)
14.3People / sq mi
88.7%Federal land
14%Land at 15% slope or less
0%Soils rated "not limited" for septic (strict USDA rating)
510 acWorkable land screen
94%Wooded land
107 tonsBiomass / forest ac
53.1°FAvg temp

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Cities and towns in Curry County

Inside a city or town, that city usually issues building permits and sets zoning; the county’s rules above cover unincorporated land. Septic, wells and floodplain rules usually stay with the county or state everywhere.

Not yet researched: Gold Beach · Port Orford

Answers from the rulebook for Curry County

What the ordinances and state agencies actually say — one answer per question, each quoted from the official source and independently re-checked.

Curry County rules

  • County-wide zoningPresent (with conditions)

    Properties in Curry County governed by the Curry County zoning system.

    • Properties are assigned zones based on location and characteristics.
    • Allowable land uses are determined by the applicable Curry County Zoning Ordinance provisions.
    • Specific development may require land-use applications, conditional-use approval, or other county approvals.
    “Properties in Curry County are assigned a "zone" based on their location and characteristics. Information regarding the land uses allowable on each zone can be found in the Curry County Zoning Ordinance.”
  • Local zoningVaries (with conditions)

    Aggregate local zoning across Curry County, including Curry County-administered areas and incorporated Brookings.

    • The county page documents county zoning for Curry County.
    • Within Brookings city limits, the City of Brookings Planning Services division administers compliance with the City’s Land Development Code.
    • Harbor, outside Brookings city limits, is identified by Brookings as an unincorporated area governed by Curry County.
    • This aggregate claim does not independently resolve every incorporated municipality’s zoning ordinance.
    “The Planning Services division is responsible for reviewing and evaluating land use applications and for providing staff support to the City’s Planning Commission and ensuring compliance with the City’s Land Development Code. [...] Harbor is in the unincorporated area to the south, is not in the Brookings city limits and is governed by Curry County.”
  • Zoning districtsPublished (with conditions)

    Zoning districts and allowable land uses in Curry County.

    • Properties are assigned a zone based on location and characteristics.
    • Allowable land uses depend on the applicable zone and Curry County Zoning Ordinance provisions.
    • The County planning page links to the Curry County Zoning Ordinance and instructions for finding a property's zone on the County online map.
    “Properties in Curry County are assigned a "zone" based on their location and characteristics. Information regarding the land uses allowable on each zone can be found in the Curry County Zoning Ordinance.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Partial — County zoning-district controls applicable to short-term rentals in unincorporated Curry County.
      “The use is permitted as identified in the zoning districts and can be approved by the Planning Director, with public notification, and provided the applicant complies with the standards set forth in each zoning district and the standards within Section 4.300 of this Zoning Ordinance.”
  • Minimum dwelling sizeSpecified

    Manufactured homes sited on individual lots or parcels in Curry County's Residential One (R-1) zone.

    • The requirement applies specifically to manufactured homes being sited in the R-1 zone.
    • The home must be multi-sectional.
    • The requirement is part of the county zoning ordinance's compatibility requirements for R-1 dwellings.

    minimum enclosed floor area: >= 1000 square feet

    “Section 4.070. Requirements for Manufactured Homes on Individual Lots or Parcels in the Residential One (R-1) Zone. 1. These requirements shall apply to manufactured homes being sited in the R-1 zone to ensure compatibility with other dwellings in this zone. 2. The manufactured home shall be multi-sectional and enclose a space of not less than 1,000 square feet.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Specified — Manufactured homes sited on individual lots or parcels in Curry County's Residential One (R-1) zone.
      “The manufactured home shall be multi-sectional and enclose a space of not less than 1,000 square feet.”
  • Minimum lot sizeDistrict specific (with conditions)

    Lots, mobile-home parks, and multiple-family dwellings in Curry County's Residential Three (R-3) zone.

    • The rule is subject to exceptions in Sections 5.030 and 5.040.
    • Unserved areas require at least one acre or more as necessary for proper sewage disposal.
    • Different minimums apply depending on community water and sewage availability.
    • Mobile-home parks and multiple-family dwellings have additional per-space or per-unit minimums.

    minimum lot size without community water or sewage: >= 1 acre (or larger for proper sewage disposal) · minimum lot area with one community utility: >= 12000 square feet (community water or community sewage, but not both) · minimum lot area with both community utilities: >= 6000 square feet · mobile-home park minimum: >= 6000 square feet (or 3,000 square feet per mobile-home space, whichever is greater, with community water and sewage) · multiple-family dwelling minimum: >= 6000 square feet (or 2,000 square feet per dwelling unit, whichever is greater, with community water and sewer) · minimum lot width: >= 60 feet

    “Except as provided in Sections 5.030 and 5.040, in an R-3 zone: 1. Minimum lot size must be at least one acre or larger for proper sewage disposal in areas not served by a community water supply system or a community sewage system. 2. In areas served by community water supply system or by community sewage system but not by both, lots may have a minimum area of 12,000 square feet. 3. In areas which are served by both community water supply system and community sewage system the minimum lot area may be 6,000 square feet. 4. For a mobile home park served by community water supply and community sewage system the minimum shall be six thousand square feet or three thousand square feet per mobile home space, whichever is greater. 5. For a multiple-family dwelling served by community water supply and community sewer system, the minimum shall be 6,000 square feet or 2,000 square feet per dwelling unit, whichever is greater. 6. The minimum lot width shall be sixty (60) feet.”
    5 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • District specific (with conditions) — Lots in Curry County's Residential One (R-1) zone.
      “Except as provided in Sections 5.030 and 5.040 in an R-1 zone: 1. Minimum lot size must be at least one acre or larger for proper sewage disposal in areas not served by a community water supply system or a community sewage system. 2. In areas served by community water supply system or by community sewage system but not by both, lots may have a minimum area of 12,000 square feet. 3. In areas which are served by both community water supply system and community sewage system, the minimum lot area may be 6,000 square feet. 4. The minimum lot width shall be sixty (60) feet.”
    • District specific (with conditions) — Lots in Curry County's Rural Residential (RR) zoning district.
      “The RR zone has minimum lot sizes of 2, 5, and 10 acres which are applied according to policies in the comprehensive plan.”
    • District specific (with conditions) — Lots in Curry County's Rural Community Residential (RCR) zoning district.
      “The RCR zone has minimum lot sizes of l.0, 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 acres as specified by policies in Comprehensive Plan and shown on the zoning maps.”
    • District specific (with conditions) — Lots in the Rural Residential (RR) zone.
      “The RR zone has minimum lot sizes of 2, 5, and 10 acres which are applied according to policies in the comprehensive plan. Changes in minimum lot size designation from 10 to 5 acres shall only be approved by the Board when found to be in compliance with the policies related to the urbanization element of the Curry County Comprehensive Plan and upon a determination that all proposed lots are adequate for proper sewage disposal and have a suitable source of water for residential use.”
    • Specified — Lots and land divisions in the Timber (T) zone.
      “The minimum lot size within the Timber (T) zone is eighty (80) acres. Notwithstanding the above minimum lot size; the placement of dwellings on parcels created in this zoning designation is subject to the requirements of Section 3.043 of this ordinance.”
  • SetbacksSpecified

    Development uses in the Timber, Forestry Grazing, Exclusive Farm Use, Agricultural, R-1, R-2, R-3, Rural Residential, Rural Community Residential, Rural Commercial, and Public Facilities zones.

    • The standards are subject to Sections 5.030 and 5.040.
    • A road-bordering lot line requires at least 10 feet and at least 35 feet from the center of the existing road right-of-way or easement.
    • Other lot-line setbacks start at 5 feet for structures no higher than 15 feet and increase by one-half foot for every foot above 15 feet.
    • Vision clearance is required on corner lots or parcels.
    • Within an Urban Growth Boundary, a dwelling next to EFU or AFD land requires a 30-foot agricultural boundary setback and a qualifying six-foot fence or screened hedge.
    • Greater setbacks may be required for forestry fire breaks and natural-hazard safety.

    road-bordering lot-line setback: >= 10 feet (At least 35 feet from the center of the existing road right-of-way or easement must also be maintained) · other lot-line setback for structure up to 15 feet high: >= 5 feet (Setback increases 0.5 foot for each foot the structure exceeds 15 feet) · UGB dwelling setback from EFU or AFD boundary: >= 30 feet (Requires solid six-foot fence or adequately screened hedge)

    “Required setback shall be minimum of ten (10) feet from lot lines bordering existing roads other than an alley, provided that at least a thirty-five (35) foot set-back from the center of existing road right-of-ways or easements is maintained.”
  • Building heightSpecified

    Structures and land-use applications in the Airport Related Areas (AR) overlay zone.

    • Applications that would allow a structure greater than 35 feet in height, or that penetrate the runway imaginary approach surface, receive administrative review.
    • The Director must provide notice to affected airport owners or sponsors and the Oregon Department of Aviation as specified in Section 3.276.
    • No structure may penetrate the Airport Imaginary Surfaces.
    • If the overlay and underlying zoning district impose conflicting height limitations, the lower limitation governs, except for structures customarily used for aeronautical purposes.

    administrative-review threshold: > 35 feet (Applies to structures greater than 35 feet in the AR overlay)

    “Those applications which the Director finds would allow a structure greater than 35 feet in height or the proposed land use penetrates the imaginary approach surface of the runway shall be reviewed as an administrative decision subject to the following:”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
  • Living in an RVTemporary only (with conditions)

    Residential occupancy of a trailer, camping vehicle, or recreational vehicle in Curry County's Residential-One (R-1) zoning district.

    • A conditional use permit is required.
    • The vehicle may be used as a residence only during construction of a permitted use or temporarily to provide watchman security for material that cannot reasonably be stored in an established commercial storage facility.
    • The R-1 zone is intended to apply only within urban growth boundaries.
    “Trailer, camping or recreational vehicle temporarily used as a residence during construction of a permitted use or to temporarily provide watchman security for material that cannot be reasonably stored in an established commercial storage facility.”
  • Camping on your landLimited

    Camping in a campground in Curry County's Timber (T) zoning district.

    • The campground is for overnight temporary use for vacation, recreational, or emergency purposes, and not for residential purposes.
    • A camping site may be occupied by a tent, travel trailer, or recreational vehicle.
    • The campground may not include intensively developed recreational uses such as swimming pools, tennis courts, retail stores, or gas stations.
    • The use is subject to the applicable Section 7.040 standards.
    “Park and campground. For purposes of this rule, a campground is an area devoted to the overnight temporary use for vacation, recreational or emergency purposes, but not for residential purposes. A camping site may be occupied by a tent, travel trailer or recreational vehicle. Campgrounds in this zone shall not include intensively developed recreational uses such as swimming pools, tennis courts, retail stores, or gas stations.”
  • Tiny homesAllowed (with conditions)

    Tiny homes built and licensed as manufactured homes on permanent foundations.

    • The unit is subject to the same regulations as other manufactured homes regarding placement, foundation, setbacks, septic, water, and all other planning and building requirements and permits.
    • Manufactured tiny homes are permitted anywhere a manufactured home is permitted.
    • A planning clearance from the Planning Department is required.
    • A Manufactured Placement permit from the Building Department is required.
    “If a tiny home is built and licensed as a manufactured home (MH) on a permanent foundation, it is subject to the same regulations as any other MH regarding placement, foundation, setbacks, septic and water, and all other planning and building requirements and permits. Manufactured tiny homes are permitted anywhere a manufactured home is permitted subject to a planning clearance from the Planning Department and Manufactured Placement permit from the Building Department.”
    3 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Limited — Tiny homes on a chassis with an axle, treated by Curry County as recreational vehicles, when used as a primary residence or placed permanently on land in Curry County.
      “an RV cannot be placed permanently on lands in Curry County”
    • Allowed (with conditions) — Site-built tiny homes constructed on permanent foundations.
      “All planning and building permitting requirements for dwellings apply”
    • Limited — Temporary tiny homes only when classified and permitted as an RV or manufactured home in conjunction with an existing primary dwelling during a medical hardship.
      “This permit must be renewed annually, and the temporary hardship dwelling must be removed at the end of the hardship.”
  • Manufactured homesLimited

    Manufactured homes used as single-family dwellings in Curry County's Residential-One (R-1) zoning district, which the ordinance says is intended only within urban growth boundaries.

    • The manufactured home must comply with Curry County Zoning Ordinance Section 4.070.
    • The use is permitted outright with planning clearance.
    • The R-1 zone applies only within urban growth boundaries identified by the Comprehensive Plan.
    • Temporary hardship manufactured homes or mobile homes are separately listed as conditional uses under Section 7.040(18).
    • Applicable sewage-disposal and water-source approvals and building-code requirements may also apply.
    “The R-1 zone is designated to be applied to residential areas where housing is typically single family dwellings and manufactured dwellings that are sited in a manner similar to conventional dwellings. This is intended to be applied only within urban growth boundaries defined by the Comprehensive Plan. [...] Single family dwelling including a manufactured home in accordance with Section 4.070. PO”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Mobile or manufactured homes used as dwellings in Curry County's Residential-Two (R-2) and Residential-Three (R-3) zoning districts.
      “TABLE 3.110 Use Table For Residential-Two Zone (R-2) [...] PO = Permitted Outright with Planning Clearance [...] Mobile Home or Manufactured Home PO [...] TABLE 3.120 Use Table For Residential-Three Zone (R-3) [...] Mobile Home or Manufactured Home PO”
  • Accessory dwellingsLimited

    One accessory dwelling unit on one residential lot in the RCR, R-1, R-2, or R-3 zoning districts inside an urban growth boundary; ADUs may be permitted under limited circumstances in the RC zone.

    • The ADU must be within, attached to, or detached from the primary detached single-family dwelling; a building permit is required for the listed construction options.
    • The ADU must have independent outside address identification, entrance, kitchen, bathroom, and sleeping area, with addressing coordinated with the responsible emergency response agency.
    • Floor area must be between 240 and 1,200 square feet.
    • A main-level garage may not be converted to living space, but attic space above a garage may be converted.
    • An attached ADU must share a common wall with firewall construction, roof, and foundation.
    • A detached ADU must be at least 20 feet from the primary dwelling foundation.
    • Front, rear, and side setbacks are those of the underlying land-use district.
    • One off-street parking space is required.
    • DEQ authorization for septic services and evidence of potable-water availability must be provided before County authorization.
    • The primary residence may be converted to an ADU only upon completion of a permitted larger residence.
    • A home occupation may be conducted from either dwelling.
    • Either the primary or accessory dwelling must be occupied by the property owner.

    minimum ADU floor area: >= 240 square feet · maximum ADU floor area: <= 1200 square feet · minimum separation for detached ADU: >= 20 feet (Measured from the foundation of the primary dwelling.) · off-street parking: 1 space

    “inside Urban Growth Boundaries (UGB). [...] occupied by the property owner.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — One accessory dwelling unit on one residential lot outside an urban growth boundary in Curry County's Rural Residential RR2, RR5, and RR10 zoning districts.
      “Section 4.100 Accessory Dwelling Unit Standards Outside Urban Growth Boundaries (UGB). [...] An accessory dwelling unit (ADU) is a second dwelling unit that may be allowed in conjunction with a single family dwelling in the Rural Residential (RR2, 5, and 10) zoning districts. [...] 10. The lot or parcel shall be at least two(2) acres in size. [...] 13. The accessory dwelling unit will not include more than 900 square feet of useable floor area. 14. The accessory dwelling unit will be located no further then 100 feet from the existing single-family dwelling.”
  • Who permits septicState

    Residential and small business septic systems in Curry County.

    • The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality administers permitting from its Medford Office.
    • Applications for Curry County are submitted through Oregon e-Permitting.
    • A completed LUCS may be required as part of the DEQ permit process.
    “permits residential and small business septic systems in Curry, Jackson, and Josephine counties”
  • Septic permitRequired

    Installing a new septic system, altering an existing septic system, or repairing an existing septic system in Curry County.

    • The onsite program specialist reviews the application and site-evaluation conditions.
    • The permit is issued only after applicable rule requirements are satisfied.
    • The installation permit is valid for one year.
    • Applications are submitted through Oregon e-Permitting; email, mail, or in-person submissions are not accepted.
    • Applications missing required fees or exhibits are incomplete.
    • A LUCS and, where applicable, sewer-availability documentation may also be required.

    permit validity: 1 year (The source states the septic installation permit is valid for one year.)

    “Septic permits are required to install a new septic system, alter an existing septic system, or repair an existing septic system. An onsite program specialist will review the septic permit application materials and make sure conditions of the site evaluation report and rule requirements are met. Once all rule requirements are satisfied, the septic installation permit will be issued and is valid for one year.”
  • Septic inspectionRequired

    New septic installations in Curry County after the system is installed and before covering.

    • The applicant must submit a final inspection request and notice, an as-built drawing, installation photos, and a materials list through Oregon e-Permitting.
    • After receipt, the pre-cover inspection is scheduled.
    • The requirement applies to the installation process described by DEQ and does not establish a universal periodic inspection requirement for all existing systems.
    “the pre-cover inspection will be scheduled.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Not required — Existing-system evaluations, including evaluations associated with buying or selling a home with a septic system.
      “Septic system evaluations are voluntary.”
  • Subdividing landRegulated (with conditions)

    Partitions, subdivisions, and creation of residential or other lots under Curry County land-use regulation.

    • A Land Use Application is required for land-use actions such as partitions.
    • For destination resorts, approval under the Curry County Land Division Ordinance is required before creation of residential or other lots; phased development may require separate land-division applications.
    • Other state, municipal, or district requirements may also apply.
    “A Land Use Application is used for a variety of land use actions, such as Conditional Use Permits, Partitions, and Zone Changes, and is approved either by Administrative Approval (Planning Director) or Planning Commission as dictated by Curry County regulations.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Regulated (with conditions) — Subdivisions, partitions, and planned unit developments governed by the Curry County Land Division Ordinance.
      “No person shall dispose of, transfer, sell or agree to sell, offer or negotiate to sell any lot or parcel in any subdivision, planned unit development, major partition or minor partition until such plan or map has been finally approved by the designated County authority and duly recorded with the recording officer of the county.”
  • Driveway accessRequired

    New or reconstructed private roads, driveways, and bridges on private property in Curry County.

    • The private-road standards apply to new roads, driveways, bridges, and cul-de-sacs on private property in the county.
    • Forest Grazing zone properties are subject to specific road standards under Section 3.046.
    • New or reconstructed private roads, driveways, and bridges must be designed by an Oregon-licensed professional engineer.
    • Preliminary plans must be furnished to the Community Development Department/Planning Division and Roadmaster before construction.
    • A private driveway access point at a county road must have a drivable surface at least 16 feet wide along the county road.
    • The driveway must have at least 16 feet of unobstructed horizontal clearance and 12 feet of unobstructed vertical clearance.
    • Average grade may not exceed 13.5 percent for any one mile or 20 percent for any 400 consecutive feet.
    • A drainage and erosion-control plan designed by a licensed engineer is required.

    minimum driveway access-point width: >= 16 feet · minimum unobstructed horizontal clearance: >= 16 feet · minimum unobstructed vertical clearance: >= 12 feet · maximum average grade per mile: <= 13.5 percent · maximum grade over 400 consecutive feet: <= 20 percent

    “A private driveway access point at a County road shall have a drivable surface not less than sixteen (16) feet in width along the County road to provide ingress to or egress from the County road. See Exhibit “B”, Article 3 of the Curry County Code for Typical Design. A facility permit must be obtained from the County Road Department prior to construction.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Required — New or reconstructed private roads, driveways, and bridges on private property in Curry County, including access points at County roads.
      “A private driveway access point at a County road shall have a drivable surface not less than sixteen (16) feet in width along the County road to provide ingress to or egress from the County road. See Exhibit “B”, Article 3 of the Curry County Code for Typical Design. A facility permit must be obtained from the County Road Department prior to construction.”
    • Limited — Driveways and road access serving short-term rentals in unincorporated Curry County.
      “Road access shall meet the minimum county road standards that were applicable when the STR structure was originally built. Roads and driveways shall have an unobstructed horizontal clearance of not less than sixteen (16) feet and an unobstructed vertical clearance of not less than twelve (12) feet to meet fire safety standards.”
  • Building in a floodplainRequired

    Development in Curry County floodplain or special flood hazard areas subject to the Curry County Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance.

    • Flood plain restrictions, conditions, and regulations apply to construction of buildings and uses of land in the flood plain zone.
    • Flood Hazard Development Permits are subject to administrative approval by the Director.
    • Applications must use forms furnished by the Flood Hazard Administrator and include the Board-established fee.
    • Applications may require scaled duplicate plans showing the nature, location, dimensions, elevations, structures, fill, stored materials, and drainage facilities.
    • Required information includes lowest-floor elevation, floodproofed elevation, professional certification for nonresidential floodproofing, and description of watercourse alterations or relocations.
    • No development may adversely restrict, alter, or increase floodway flow, adversely affect floodway or flood-protection facilities, or increase water-surface elevation beyond minimum FEMA standards.
    • A dwelling may not be constructed in an area of special flood hazard when sufficient suitable buildable land exists to place it at least one foot above base flood elevation or outside the special flood hazard area.

    minimum elevation for qualifying dwelling construction: >= 1 foot above base flood elevation (applies when sufficient suitable existing buildable land does not permit construction outside the special flood hazard area or at least one foot above base flood elevation) · flood hazard development permit fee: established by order of the Board

    “Restrictions, conditions and regulations for the construction of buildings and uses of land lying in the flood plain zone are subject to the Flood Damage Prevention ordinance of Curry County. The flood plain zones, as indicated on Flood Plain Maps, are an official part of the County Zoning Maps. Flood Hazard Development Permits under the Flood Damage Prevention Ordinance are subject to administrative approval by the Director.”
  • Short-term rentalsLimited

    Short-term rentals outside the incorporated city limits of Port Orford, Gold Beach, and Brookings, subject to Curry County zoning and STR regulations.

    • A county land-use permit is required before operation or advertising.
    • The Planning Director may approve the use with public notification if zoning-district and Section 4.300 standards are met.
    • Each separately rented dwelling unit requires a separate STR land-use permit.
    • An on-site fire, life, and safety inspection by the County Building Official or designee must be approved before permit approval.
    • STR permits are reviewed every two years.
    • A renewal inspection is required when significant structural changes have occurred, such as fire, flood, or a major modification.
    • Maximum overnight occupancy is two persons per bedroom plus two additional occupants, capped at 15 persons.
    • Parking is one onsite space per bedroom plus one additional space; street or driveway parking is prohibited.
    • Proof of current transient lodging tax registration and county business-license payment must be submitted within 90 days of permit approval.
    • Non-public-sewer properties must demonstrate adequate onsite wastewater capacity; cesspools are prohibited for STR use.
    • The STR application does not apply within the city limits of Port Orford, Gold Beach, or Brookings.

    permit review interval: 2 years · maximum overnight occupancy: <= 15 persons · additional occupancy allowance: 2 persons (plus two persons per bedroom) · STR permit application grace period for existing rentals: 6 months (for rentals existing before final adoption of STR provisions)

    “A land use permit is required for the operation of a short-term rental. The use is permitted as identified in the zoning districts and can be approved by the Planning Director, with public notification, and provided the applicant complies with the standards set forth in each zoning district and the standards within Section 4.300 of this Zoning Ordinance.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Short-term rentals in unincorporated Curry County.
      “The maximum overnight occupancy for each short-term rental shall be calculated on the basis of two (2) persons per bedroom, plus two (2) additional overnight occupants. Temporary bed areas (rollouts, couches, etc.) shall not be considered “bedrooms” but could accommodate the two additional occupants. In no case shall occupancy exceed fifteen persons.”
  • Permit feesPublished (with conditions)

    County building permit, plan review, inspection, and related building fees administered by Curry County.

    • Structural permit fees vary by project valuation.
    • The schedule includes additional plan review, expedited review, fire-life-safety review, reinspection, after-hours inspection, phased-project, deferred-submittal, demolition, and temporary-certificate fees.
    • The cited schedule is titled 2024-25; no effective date is stated in the cited excerpt.

    structural permit fee for valuation $1-$500: 320 USD · structural permit fee for valuation $501-$2,000: $320 for the first $500 plus $2.83 per additional $100 or fraction thereof through $2,000 USD · structural plan review: 65 percent of structural permit fee (when applicable) · additional plan review: 155 USD (one-hour minimum; when requested) · reinspection: 160 USD (each) · structural minimum permit fee: 200 USD

    “For the first $500 of value, + $2.83 per additional $100 or fraction thereof, to and inlcuidng $2,000”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Published (with conditions) — County-administered permit and planning fees in Curry County.
      “COUNTY DEPARTMENT FEE SCHEDULE Effective July 1, 2024”
  • Permit processPublished (with conditions)

    Development and construction permitting administered by Curry County in Curry County, including structural, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, and manufactured-home work.

    • A Planning Clearance Application is required for any development to a site or structure.
    • Applications are reviewed for completeness and consistency with County regulations.
    • Planning Clearance approval is valid for one year and authorizes only the development applied for.
    • Applications including structural development are forwarded to the Building Department to initiate a building permit application after planning approval.
    • An Erosion Prevention and Sediment Control form must be included with most applications.
    • The Building Division accepts and reviews applications, reviews construction plans, issues permits, and conducts field inspections for compliance with Oregon state construction specialty codes.

    planning clearance approval validity: 1 year

    “Any development to a site or structure requires submittal and approval of a Planning Clearance Application. Once submitted, applications are reviewed for completeness and consistency with County regulations. Approval of an application is valid for one year and authorizes only the development that was applied for.”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Published (with conditions) — Short-term-rental land-use permits in unincorporated Curry County.
      “A land use permit is required for the operation of a short-term rental. The use is permitted as identified in the zoning districts and can be approved by the Planning Director, with public notification, and provided the applicant complies with the standards set forth in each zoning district and the standards within Section 4.300 of this Zoning Ordinance.”
    • Published (with conditions) — County planning-clearance and land-use applications for development in Curry County.
      “Once submitted, applications are reviewed for completeness and consistency with County regulations. Approval of an application is valid for one year and authorizes only the development that was applied for.”

Oregon rules that apply here

  • Building permitRequired

    Residential construction, enlargement, alteration, repair, or movement in Curry County, including work administered locally by Curry County's Building Division.

    • The Oregon rule is statewide and local permits are obtained through the applicable local building department.
    • Work exempt from a building permit may still require mechanical, electrical, or plumbing permits.
    • Local land-use laws must be considered before building.
    • Work not meeting all parameters of a permit exemption requires a local building permit.
    • Examples of permit exemptions include certain nonhabitable detached one-story accessory structures under 200 square feet and under 15 feet in average roof height, and certain decks, porches, finishes, fences, and repairs meeting the stated limits.

    accessory structure area threshold: < 200 square feet (nonhabitable, detached, one-story accessory structure; roof-height and other conditions also apply) · deck height threshold: <= 30 inches above adjacent grade (specific permit exemption conditions apply)

    “A building permit is required to construct, enlarge, alter, repair, or move a residential building or structure.”
  • Owner-builder exemptionAvailable (with conditions)

    Owner-built single-family residences and adjacent auxiliary structures in Oregon where the structural components are constructed entirely by the owner intending to occupy the structures, or by the owner with unpaid assistance from friends and relatives.

    • The owner must be the recorded title owner or contract purchaser shown on the last available complete assessment roll.
    • The owner must not have used the subsection (2) exemptions during the five years before applying again.
    • The exemption applies only to structural-code requirements for ceiling heights, room sizes, and maintenance of specific temperature levels.
    • It applies to new construction, renovation, remodeling, or alteration of an owner-built dwelling or outbuilding.
    • A building permit must be issued and must note whether the owner-built dwelling or outbuilding complies with the exempted requirements.
    • If the structure does not comply with those requirements, the owner-builder must file a copy of the building permit with the county clerk for permanent deed records and provide a legally sufficient property description.
    • Noncompliance with the filing requirement does not affect conveyance of an interest in the property.

    prior use lookback: 5 years (The owner must not have previously taken advantage of the subsection (2) exemptions during that period.)

    “Owner-built dwellings and outbuildings shall be exempt from any requirements of the structural code for ceiling heights, room sizes”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Available (with conditions) — Owner-built single-family residences and adjacent auxiliary structures in Curry County whose structural components are constructed entirely by the owner intending to occupy them, or by the owner with unpaid friends or relatives.
      “Owner-built dwellings and outbuildings shall be exempt from any requirements of the structural code for ceiling heights, room sizes and the maintenance of specific temperature levels in those structures. The exemption shall apply to the new construction, renovation, remodeling or alteration of an owner-built dwelling or outbuilding.”
  • Building code adoptedAdopted (with conditions)

    Residential construction, reconstruction, and repair in Curry County subject to Oregon’s statewide building-code system.

    • The 2023 Oregon Residential Specialty Code applies to construction, reconstruction, and repair of one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses.
    • Administrative provisions were effective and mandatory October 1, 2023.
    • Construction provisions were effective October 1, 2023 with a six-month phase-in period and mandatory April 1, 2024.
    • The code is based on the 2021 International Residential Code.
    • Statewide interim amendments and alternate methods may apply.

    administrative provisions mandatory date: 2023-10-01 · construction provisions mandatory date: 2024-04-01 (Effective October 1, 2023 with a six-month phase-in period)

    “The division works with building officials, technical committees, advisory boards, and the public to adopt, amend, and interpret the Oregon Residential Specialty Code (ORSC). This code applies to the construction, reconstruction, and repair of one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses. [...] Administrative provisions (Chapter 1): Effective and mandatory Oct. 1, 2023 [...] Construction provisions (Chapters 2 - 44 and appendices): Effective Oct. 1, 2023 with *six-month phase-in period Mandatory April 1, 2024 Based on 2021 International Residential Code (IRC)”
    3 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Adopted (with conditions) — Oregon State Building Code specialty codes administered statewide by the Oregon Building Codes Division.
      “The Building Codes Division adopts, amends, and interprets specialty codes that make up the Oregon State Building Code.”
    • Adopted (with conditions) — Commercial construction, reconstruction, alteration, and repair governed by the Oregon Structural Specialty Code statewide.
      “Construction provisions: [...] Mandatory April 1, 2026”
    • Adopted (with conditions) — Construction, reconstruction, and repair of one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses governed by the Oregon Residential Specialty Code statewide.
      “2023 Oregon Residential Specialty Code (ORSC) [...] Based on 2021 International Residential Code (IRC)”
  • InspectionsRequired

    Construction or work requiring a permit in Curry County under the Oregon Residential Specialty Code.

    • The work must remain accessible and exposed for inspection until approved.
    • The permit applicant must provide access and means for required inspections.
    • The permit holder or authorized agent must notify the building official when work is ready.
    • Work may not proceed beyond each successive inspection point without building-official approval.
    • Final inspection occurs after all work required by the building permit is completed.
    • Curry County's Building Division states that it performs field inspection of work in progress for compliance with state specialty codes.
    “shall be subject to inspection by the building official”
  • Certificate of occupancyRequired

    Use or occupancy, or a change in character, use, or occupancy, of a building or structure covered by the Oregon Residential Specialty Code in Curry County.

    • A certificate of occupancy is not required for work exempt from permits under Section R105.2.
    • A certificate of occupancy is not required for accessory buildings or structures.
    • Prior to occupancy of a new residential dwelling or townhouse, the building official must issue a certificate unless a temporary certificate is issued.
    • Before issuance, the general contractor or owner issued the structural permit must provide specified contractor contact and license information.
    • A temporary certificate may be issued before completion if the portion can be occupied safely.
    “until the building official has issued a certificate of occupancy”
  • Off-grid sanitationLimited

    Use of composting toilets and related graywater systems in Oregon.

    • A composting toilet does not eliminate all household water; plumbing fixtures still need connection to an approved septic system.
    • If used with a graywater reuse system, both the graywater reuse system and septic system require a DEQ permit.
    • The graywater reuse system must be offline during wet-weather months or when discharges could create a public nuisance.
    • Material removed from a composting toilet must be buried under 12 inches of soil.
    • Buildings within a sewer district still need a sewer connection.

    burial depth for removed composting-toilet material: 12 inches · maximum reduced drainfield capacity mentioned by DEQ: two-thirds (The source says the drainfield may be approved for a smaller capacity, as much as two-thirds the size.)

    “Composting toilets don't eliminate all water generated in a home and therefore you will need to be hooked up to an approved wastewater treatment system.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Limited — Development in Curry County where municipal sewer is unavailable.
      “development must use onsite wastewater treatment systems, or septic systems, for sanitary disposal.”
  • Well permitRequired

    A property owner constructing, altering, converting, or abandoning a water-supply well in Oregon without being a licensed and bonded Water Supply Well Constructor.

    • A licensed and bonded Water Supply Well Constructor is exempt from the landowner-permit requirement stated on the page.
    • The permit, permit fee, and bond or irrevocable letter of credit must be obtained before work begins.
    • The application requires owner and surety information, proposed well location, proposed use, type of work, and a Department-approved well design plan.
    • The bond or irrevocable letter of credit is $10,000 and the permit fee is $550.
    • Only the owner of record, an immediate family member of the owner of record, or a full-time employee whose main duties are other than well construction may operate a drilling machine under a landowner permit.
    • The permit expires six months after issuance; a water-well report is due within 30 days after permit expiration or well completion, whichever occurs first.
    • The Department may deny a permit if the proposed work presents a health threat, health hazard, contamination source, or groundwater waste source.

    bond or irrevocable letter of credit: 10000 USD · permit fee: 550 USD · permit expiration: 6 months · water-well report deadline: 30 days (after permit expiration or well completion, whichever occurs first)

    “The Water Resources Commission requires a permit [...] for each water supply well constructed, altered, converted, or abandoned by a landowner”
    2 more reviewed findings on this topic
    • Limited — Construction, alteration, conversion, or abandonment of a water-supply well by a landowner in Curry County.
      “The landowner permit and bond shall be obtained prior to beginning work on a well.”
    • Limited — Domestic use of groundwater from a well in Curry County.
      “domestic water use from a well not exceeding 15,000 gallons per day.”
  • Mandatory utility hookupConditional

    Septic-permit applicants where the property is within a city limit, urban growth boundary, sanitary district, or equivalent area.

    • Sewer is available when the property is in an area intended for urbanization, including a city limit, UGB, or sanitary district.
    • The connection must be accessible by a right-of-way or existing easement.
    • The municipality determines whether the connection is physically practical, legally available under local ordinances, and supported by system capacity.
    • For projected daily sewage flows up to 899 gallons per day, the nearest sewer connection point must be within 200 feet for a repair or alteration permit and within 300 feet for a construction-installation permit.
    • A written statement from the municipality with sewer authority is required with a septic permit application in the specified areas.
    • Emergency repairs are not allowed in those areas unless the sewer authority states in writing that sewer is unavailable.
    • The cited rule update is effective January 1, 2026.

    projected daily sewage flow threshold: <= 899 gallons per day · nearest sewer connection for repair or alteration: <= 200 feet (For existing development and projected daily sewage flows up to 899 gallons per day.) · nearest sewer connection for construction-installation: <= 300 feet (For existing development and projected daily sewage flows up to 899 gallons per day.)

    “Sewer is available if the property is in an area intended for urbanization”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Sewer (with conditions) — A building located within an Oregon sewer district, including a building using a composting toilet.
      “What if my building is within a sewer district? Your building will still need a sewer connection.”
  • Agricultural exemptionConditional

    Agricultural buildings on legally designated farm or forest-operation parcels in Curry County, under Oregon's statewide structural-code exemption.

    • The exemption applies only to Oregon Structural Specialty Code requirements.
    • Electrical, plumbing, and mechanical work remains subject to the respective specialty-code permits and requirements.
    • The building must be located on a farm or forest operation and used for the agricultural, forestry, horticultural, animal-husbandry, crop, livestock, dairy, or related uses listed in ORS 455.315(2)(a)(A).
    • An agricultural building does not include a dwelling, a structure used for a non-plant-growing purpose with 10 or more persons present at one time, a State Fire Marshal-regulated structure, a structure used by the public, or a structure subject to the National Flood Insurance Act provisions.
    • The local planning department, in conjunction with adopted zoning ordinances, determines whether the parcel is a qualifying farm or forest operation.
    • Additional personal uses are allowed only when incidental and accessory, personal to the farm owner and immediate family or household, and not more hazardous than the agricultural uses.

    effective date of 2021 additional-use amendment: 2022-01-01

    “The exemption only applies to the requirements of the OSSC.”
    One more reviewed finding on this topic
    • Available (with conditions) — Qualifying agricultural buildings, agricultural grading, equine facilities and dog-training facilities under Oregon structural-code law.
      “The provisions of this chapter do not authorize the application of a state structural specialty code to any agricultural building, agricultural grading, equine facility or dog training facility.”
  • county zoning authorityGeneral

    Oregon counties adopting and revising comprehensive plans, zoning, subdivision, and other land-use ordinances applicable to county land, including unincorporated areas.

    • The statutory text states an exception for ORS 527.722.
    • Plans and related ordinances may be adopted and revised part by part or by geographic area.
    • Zoning, subdivision, and other ordinances or regulations must be designed to implement the adopted county comprehensive plan.
    • Before a county zoning ordinance has legal effect, the governing body or planning commission must conduct one or more public hearings and publish 10 days' advance public notice; additional notice requirements apply to certain zone changes under ORS 215.223.
    “Except as provided in ORS 527.722, the county governing body shall adopt and may from time to time revise a comprehensive plan and zoning, subdivision and other ordinances applicable to all of the land in the county. The plan and related ordinances may be adopted and revised part by part or by geographic area.”
  • county building authorityGeneral

    Oregon counties administering and enforcing building inspection programs, including issuance and enforcement of building permits for residential construction in areas outside incorporated cities.

    • A county building inspection program is subject to the state building code and the statutory building-inspection-program framework.
    • If a county does not notify the director, or notifies the director that it will not administer and enforce a building inspection program, the director must arrange administration and enforcement through a municipality, other person, state employees, or state agencies; permit and other fees arising therefrom are paid into the Consumer and Business Services Fund.
    • A building inspection program is administered for four-year periods under ORS 455.150; the governing body must provide required notices to the Director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services.
    • The program must specify cooperation with the State Fire Marshal or designee and how a uniform fire code will be considered in design and construction review.
    • The cited archive is the 2015 Oregon Revised Statutes edition; the current official ORS 455 page was identified but returned a 403 error during retrieval.
    “If a city does not notify the director, or notifies the director that it will not administer the building inspection program, the county or counties in which the city is located shall administer and enforce the county program within the city in the same manner as the program is administered and enforced outside the city, except as provided by subsection (6) of this section.”

Still unanswered

We looked and could not find an official answer yet. Silence is not permission — ask the county directly.

  • Lot coverage — Lot-coverage standards under Curry County zoning regulations.

Each answer was extracted from an official source and independently re-checked against that source by a second reviewer. That is an evidence check, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with the authority before you buy or build.

Water rights & wells in Curry County

Whether a new home can legally get its own water here — the sub-state groundwater regime, from Oregon’s water agency.

Actively managed

This basin is under active state management — new water use is scrutinized, though a domestic well is usually still allowed.

Household wellExempt — no permit or water right

Single or group domestic groundwater use up to 15,000 gpd is exempt from permitting, but the exemption can be limited inside designated Critical Groundwater Areas.

Limit: 15,000 gpd domestic (plus stockwater and ≤0.5 acre lawn/garden) under ORS 537.545

Oregon Water Resources Department — Exempt Water Uses ↗

Prior-appropriation state (first in time, first in right). Groundwater rules change and basin boundaries follow the aquifer, not the county line — confirm current well and appropriation rules with the Oregon state water agency before you buy or drill.Groundwater governance as of Jul 2026, cited to each administering agency.

Living off-grid in Curry County, Oregon

Is Curry County a good place to live off-grid or homestead?

Curry County scores 57/100 on the Bolthole Index, a solid county profile. Its strengths: deep seclusion — about 4,513 people within 15 miles and a stronger property-autonomy legal backdrop. Watch-outs: elevated current hazard exposure and more administrative friction around building and land use.

Do you need a building permit in Curry County, Oregon?

Curry County generally requires a residential building permit, and it enforces county zoning. Onsite septic is permitted by Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), Medford Office. Owner-builders may act as their own contractor to build their home. These answers are quoted from official sources and independently re-checked. Rules change and cities within the county differ — always confirm with the county before you buy or build.

Can you live in an RV or tiny home on your land in Curry County?

Living in an RV on your own land in Curry County is limited to specific cases: Statewide rule. One residential-use recreational vehicle on a lot or parcel in an Oregon rural area, when a county elects to allow the use under ORS 215.490. The property must not be within an urban reserve. An owner-occupied single-unit dwelling must be sited on the property as the owner's primary residence. A tiny home is allowed. Confirm with the county before relying on it.

How much does land cost in Curry County, Oregon?

Land in Curry County runs about $5,104 per acre, based on the latest county data.

What is the water situation in Curry County?

Curry County gets about 83.4" of rain a year, with severe drought in roughly 18% of years. On water rights, Curry County lies in the Smith River Restrictively Classified Area — Classified 2017 over alluvial/bedrock aquifers (90 sq mi); 'exempt uses only.' Exempt domestic wells allowed..

How remote is Curry County?

A typical private-land location has about 4,513 people within 15 miles and 559,508 within 100 miles. These radius catchments are the published fallback where road routing is unavailable.

How Curry compares in Oregon

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