COVID-19 NOTICE
Planning Department Offices Closed
The City of Medford is continuing to closely monitor the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) situation. The health and safety of our citizens, volunteers, and staff is our highest priority. Effective March 20, 2020, and until further notice, the City is suspending in-person interactions.
Although our office is closed, staff is still working and conducting business. We are making meeting appointments in some circumstances. Please use the following contact information:
- Contact us by telephone at 541-774-2380
- Email us at: planning@cityofmedford.org
- Correspondence can be:
- Dropped in the wall slot labeled "Planning" outside of the Annex entrance
- Mailed to 200 S. Ivy Street, Medford, OR 97501
We will happily answer your questions and make every effort to provide information effectively.
Submitting Planning Applications
Applications for land use permits can be submitted via email, US mail, or dropped off by appointment. Once received by the City, staff will make contact via phone to arrange for payment by phone. Payment may also be sent via US mail. Land use permits without the required payment will not be processed until payment is received.
Public Hearings
At this time, meetings at which public hearings are held (including meetings of the Planning Commission, Site Plan and Architectural Commission, Landmarks and Historic Preservation Commission, and City Council) will continue as scheduled. However, you must submit written comments instead of testifying in person. When you provide timely written testimony, you will have standing in an appeal.
To comply with Governor Brown's stay at home order, in-person testimony will not be allowed at public hearings. WRITTEN COMMENTS must be submitted via email or first class mail.
Email to: planning@cityofmedford.org
Mail to: City of Medford Planning Department, 411 W. 8th Street, Medford, OR 97501
Our Mission:
"We are a dynamic team working with the community to shape a vibrant and exceptional city."
Welcome to the City of Medford Planning Department!
Eighteen of us comprise the Planning Department and we have three primary components, Comprehensive Planning, Current Planning and Housing and Community Development. The Department also has a GIS Coordinator, who provides geographic information analysis, cartographic production and data maintenance.
Comprehensive Planning is responsible for helping develop and implement the City’s land use policies, which includes maintaining and updating the Comprehensive Plan and the Land Development Code. Current Planning is responsible for all new development applications such as site development, subdivisions, planned unit developments, conditional use permits, historic preservation, sign permits, etc. Housing and Community Development oversees the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program and affordable housing initiatives.
We provide staff support to the Planning Commission, Site Plan and Architecture Commission, Landmarks and Historic Preservation Commission, Housing Advisory Commission, Community Development Grants Commission, Transportation Commission, Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee and the City Council, when necessary.
Planning staff also are available at the front counter from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, to answer your questions and accept land use applications. Feel free to come to the office or call us at 541-774-2380. You can also contact us via email us at planning@cityofmedford.org.
News & Info
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6/8/2020
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6/11/2020
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6/22/2020
Frequently Asked Questions
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)
Activity/Permits
What's Happening in My Neighborhood Mapping Application
Bees & Livestock
This question is also covered under the Police Dept. FAQs page. Our language replicates their response.
City Limits
Flood zone
Food Trucks
To find out your zoning, please refer to this link of the Official Zoning Map or to the FAQ titled, “What is my property zoned?”
- When located in the Central Business (C-B) and Historic Preservation (H) Overlays, the exterior length and width, when multiplied shall not exceed 128 square feet.
- When located outside the C-B and H overlays, the exterior length and width, when multiplied shall not exceed 170 square feet.
- All food must be in a read-to-eat condition when sold.
- The temporary food vendor must be on an improved surface (i.e. pavement)
- Temporary food vendors must comply with all Fire and Building Safety Requirements
Marijuana
The following brochure describes the rules and regulations in more detail:
City of Medford Marijuana Regulations and Licensing for Commerical and Industrial Uses brochure
City of Medford Marijuana Regulations and Licensing for Commerical and Industrial Uses brochure
Zoning
Please follow this link for a pdf version of a pdf version of the City’s Official Zoning Map on the Planning Map Galley Page.
DISCLAIMER: For official rulings on a property’s zoning, which may be needed by lenders, please consult with the Medford Planning Department for a Zoning Verification, (541) 774-2380 (fees may apply).
Once you know your property’s zoning, it is necessary to find which use category best represents the use in question. Please refer to the Medford Land Development Code (MLDC) to determine which use category your proposal falls under. Below are the various sections which apply to the use categories of the MLDC:
Residential Zoning Classifications (Single and Multi-Family):
Section 10.314 Permitted Uses in Residential Land Use Classification
Commercial and Industrial Zoning Classifications:
Section 10.337 (SIC 01-289) Uses Permitted in Commercial and Industrial Zoning Districts; or
Section 10.337 (SIC 291-369) Uses Permitted in Commercial and Industrial Zoning Districts; or
Section 10.337 (SIC 371-497) Uses Permitted in Commercial and Industrial Zoning Districts; or
Section 10.337 (SIC 501-639) Uses Permitted in Commercial and Industrial Zoning Districts; or
Section 10.337 (SIC 641-809) Uses Permitted in Commercial and Industrial Zoning Districts; or
Section 10.337 (SIC 811-972) Uses Permitted in Commercial and Industrial Zoning Districts
Commercial and industrial uses are sorted by their respective Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) Codes. To determine the SIC Code that best matches the proposed use, first reference the Index to Commercial and Industrial Uses found at the beginning of Section 10.337 (SIC 01-289). Each category is represented by a broad classification identified by capitalized letters. Within each broad classification you will find a more specific category identified by a two digit number, this is where one will find the first two numbers of the SIC Code.
For example, if one wanted to open a grocery store they would first identify the broad based category. In the case of the grocery store this would be G. Retail Trade. From there, one would identify the more specific retail classification, in this case that would be 54 Food Stores. Then, one would go to the portion of the Medford Land Development Code that classifies 54 Food Stores. Here, the specific types of Food Stores are identified by their distinct SIC Code, for example SIC Code 541 represents a Grocery Store. Once the specific use is identified, one would look to the zoning chart to see if the use is conditionally permitted, permitted, or prohibited.
DISCLAIMER: For official rulings on a property’s zoning or on a particular land use, please consult with the Medford Planning Department, (541) 774-2380 (fees may apply).
Residential Uses in Industrial Zones (Section 10.835 Residence for Caretaker or Watchman):
One single-family residence for a caretaker, owner, operator, manager, or security guard is allowed for any industrial use for purposes of security and protection of the principal use.
Residential Uses in Commercial Zones (Section 10.837 Dwelling Units in Commercial Districts):
Dwelling units shall be permitted in all commercial zones. In all commercial zoning districts, except the Neighborhood Commercial (C-N) zone, the dwelling type standards for the Multiple–Family Residential-30 (MFR-30) district shall apply. Dwelling units in the Neighborhood Commercial (C-N) district, both single family and multi family, shall be attached, accessory, and subordinate to the primary commercial use (in other words, mixed use development) Additionally, single family dwelling units shall be allowed in all commercial districts when attached to a commercial building and approved by the Site Plan and Architectural Commission or Landmarks and Historic Preservation Commission as applicable.