Before you invest time, money and energy into purchasing or developing a particular piece
of property, first check it out with your local city or county planning office.  Too often people
invest in land only to find their desires to develop the land are not compatible with current
zoning regulations.  For example, a single family dwelling may or may not be allowed in a
forest zone depending on whether or not the property can meet certain criteria.  It is very
important to conduct research into the potential use of a piece of property before you decide
to purchase.
 The following information should be gathered prior to your purchase:
 

1.    Is the parcel a legal lot-of-record or was the parcel legally created?  Yes, if the parcel
       was created by deed or contract prior to September 4, 1974 or by partition after that
       date.  If not, the planning office will not accept a development request unless the subject
       parcel is combined with another adjacent parcel which would bring it up to the minimum
       lot size in that zone.

2.    Were existing improvements to the property made legally?  Were building permits 
       obtained for the house, shed, etc.?  If not, the planning office will not be able to approve
       any future improvements until the structure can be legalized.

3.    What land use zone is the parcel located in?  Is it an agricultural, forest, forest-farm, 
       residential, commercial, industrial, or agricultural-recreational zone?  Each zone has their
       own regulations, permitted and conditionally permitted uses.

4.    Do the zoning regulations in your zone permit your desired use outright, conditionally, or
       not at all?

5.    What is the minimum lot size in your zone?  Will this affect your desire to partition your
       property?

6.    Is your property located in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area?  If so, is
       your property visible from any Key Viewing Areas?  Is the development going to require
       major ground disturbance?  Most development, including expansion of existing uses, will
       require some type of an application and development review.

The preceding list of information should be gathered when trying to determine the chances of
developing the parcel you are interested in purchasing.  All of this information can be
obtained from your local planning office, and staff will gladly assist you with any questions 
that you may have.  Be aware that information received from other sources may not be reliable
and may turn out to be costly to you, the potential buyer.  Please take a proactive stance when 
it comes to land use planning.  It will save you time, money, and worry today and in the future.

Excerpt from LANDINGS Newsletter, Summer 1995 issue