COVID-19 NOTICE
Limited On-Site Staffing
With Phase 2 of the reopening process, the Planning Department is open to the public. The health and safety of our citizens and staff remains our highest priority and the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) situation continues to be monitored closely. To minimize risk and exposure, we have limited on-site staffing. To meet with staff, it is strongly encouraged to make an appointment.
Permit for Temporary Use of Public Parking Space to Expand Existing Business
In response to the challenges facing local businesses due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Medford wishes to provide flexibility to restaurants and other businesses to operate while complying with the Governor's guidelines for reopening. Click here for the application.
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!
The Planning Department is comprised of 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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10/22/2020
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10/26/2020
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11/9/2020
Frequently Asked Questions
Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)
An Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) is permitted in all single-family residential zoning districts per the regulations in Section 10.821 and applicable building codes.
Activity/Permits
Check out the following mapping application for details about Planning activities and permits around the City:
What's Happening in My Neighborhood Mapping Application
What's Happening in My Neighborhood Mapping Application
Bees & Livestock
Yes, based on a Medford Municipal Court ruling in 2007. Chickens are permitted as long as the environment they are kept in is odor and debris free and they do not cause a noise disturbance to neighboring properties.
This question is also covered under the Police Dept. FAQs page. Our language replicates their response.
This question is also covered under the Police Dept. FAQs page. Our language replicates their response.
Bee hives are permitted in the single-family residential zoning districts and all commercial and industrial zoning districts. A maximum of three hives are permitted on property less than one acre. Six hives are permitted on property between 1 and 2 acres in size. An additional 3 hives per acre are permitted for properties over two acres. Free registration is required. For complete regulations see Section 10.813(C).
Goats fall under the definition of livestock and are only permitted on property that have the Exclusive Agricultural overlay.
City Limits
You can use the Medford Land Information mapping system to find out if your property is located in the City. If you would prefer to talk to City staff, contact the City's Public Works Department at 541-774-2100.
Flood zone
The City maintains copies of available elevation certificates for properties within the City. If one is not found for your property, a licensed land surveyor can be hired to complete the form for you. Copies of available certificates can be found on the Planning Department's website under the FEMA and Flood Awareness button or by calling the Planning Department.
The City maintains copies of available elevation certificates for properties within the City. If one is not found for your property, a licensed land surveyor can be hired to complete the form for you. Copies of available certificates can be found on the Planning Department's website under the FEMA and Flood Awareness button or by calling the Planning Department.
Food Trucks
Food trucks are permitted, with special use regulations, in all commercial and industrial zones except for Heavy Industrial (I-H). For the special use regulations for “food trucks” reference Section 10.840 of the Medford Land Development Code.
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?”
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?”
For the full regulations regarding food trucks, or Temporary Food Vendors (Outdoor), please reference Section 10.840 (D)(3) of the Medford Land Development Code (MLDC). A brief summary of the requirements is as follows:
- 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
- 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
Some of the relevant rules governing Marijuana in the City are found in Chapters 5 and 10 of the Municipal Code. Permitted marijuana uses in the commercial and industrial zones are outlined in Section 10.337.
The following brochure describes the rules and regulations in more detail:
City of Medford Marijuana Regulations and Licensing for Commerical and Industrial Uses brochure
The following brochure describes the rules and regulations in more detail:
City of Medford Marijuana Regulations and Licensing for Commerical and Industrial Uses brochure
Marijuana-related businesses include Production, Processing, Wholesale, Laboratory, Retail and Dispensary. These uses are permitted in various commercial and industrial zoning districts. See the following brochure for more details.
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
To find the zoning of your property, click the link to access Medford Land Information, the City’s public GIS system. In the search bar labeled Find address or place, type the address in question and hit Enter. Then, on the left hand side of the webpage, click the MLI icon (White square, with blue letters). From there click the Quick Search button. Lastly, after you have selected Quick Search, click the property in question. The desired zoning information can then be found on the left hand side under 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).
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).
To know if a proposed use is permitted in a zoning district first, you must know your property’s zoning. To find out your zoning, please refer to this link of the Official Zoning Map on the Planning Map Gallery or to the FAQ titled, “What is my property zoned?” (the FAQ above this one)
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).
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).
Permitting residential uses in commercial and industrial zones is allowed within all commercial and industrial zones, but certain Special Use Regulations will apply. These Special Use Regulations limit the types of housing permitted and are summarized below.
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.
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.