Planning

WHAT'S LAND USE?

Land use is defined as what is built or developed, or what activities take place on, a piece of property. There are many moving parts to planning for land use in a City, and it can get quite complex!

The City's role in land use planning is to ensure that both public and private development are aligned with the standards set out in the City's guiding documents such as the Carlton Comprehensive Plan, Zoning Map and Development Code.

HOW DO I PARTICIPATE IN DEVELOPMENT?

Public involvement is the first goal listed in the state's land use system. But how can you participate, and when?

You've been notified of a development happening in your neighborhood with a public notice and want to participate. There will be instructions on the public notice on how to submit comments to the City or on how to attend a Planning Commission meeting to verbally share your thoughts. The notice will include deadlines for comments, and details on how to attend a meeting.

You can always contact the staff listed on the notice for questions on how to participate. Staff are happy to help, don't hesitate to reach out!

Who gets notified when a new development is proposed? Why didn't I get a notice for a development proposed near me?

Depending on the type of application, notices will be mailed to property owners and residents within 100, 250, or 500 feet of the project site. Different proposed projects have different requirements when it comes to notifications.

For example, some projects do not require any notice to neighbors, such as a new single-unit house, accessory dwelling unit, duplex, triplex or quadplex. Others, like building a new school or a new masterplan that plans out where different development will be in a large area, require property owners living within 500 feet of the proposed project to be noticed.

If you did not get notified, it is probably because you do not live within the required radius for a notice.

I've commented before and nothing changed. Why?

There can be many reasons why a project might not change. One primary reason is that if the project adheres to established rules and development standards, no modifications are required. While community concerns are often valid and important, they may not always apply to the specific development being proposed, meaning the project applicant is not obligated to make adjustments.

Recent changes in state law have also expanded housing options in single-unit zoning districts—areas traditionally characterized by a single home on a lot with a yard. These changes now allow several housing types, such as accessory dwelling units and quadplexes, to be built with just a building permit, without the need for a land use application.

However, this doesn't mean the community has no voice. Sharing your thoughts, ideas, and concerns can still influence a project, leading to enhancements that benefit both the neighborhood and future residents.

Frequently Asked Questions

These lots were created back in 1905, but they were never built on. New streets and utilities will be constructed for future homes. Because the lots were created and recorded in 1905, it was already a subdivision. That is why the building of the subdivision now did not need public notice or any land use approval through the Planning Commission. The lots were created over a hundred years ago and have been approved to build upon this whole time.

Please contact Yamhill County at 503-434-7516 for any work or possible changes on a building in a Commercial zone for permitting requirements.

WORK REQUIRING A RESIDENTIAL BUILDING PERMIT:

Building a dwelling.
Build, demolish or add a room, garage, shed or other attached structure.
Build, demolish or move any detached carport, garage or shed that is more than 200 square feet or more than 10 feet high from the floor to the average height of the roof.
Finish an attic, garage or basement to create living space.
Cut new window or door openings or widen existing openings.
Move, remove or add walls.
Apply roofing when the old roofing and sheathing is removed and new sheathing is installed.
Build or replace an exterior stairway more than 30 inches high.
Build a retaining wall that exceeds four feet high measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the wall or any retaining wall affected by the weight of an adjacent slope, or nearby driveway or structure.
Build a deck more than 30 inches high.
Enclose a porch or carport.
Add or enclose a porch cover, patio cover or other attached roofed structure with a cumulative area greater than 200 square feet.
Pour concrete sidewalks, slabs, or driveways more than 30 inches above adjacent grade and over any story or basement.
Install a barrier around a swimming pool.

WORK REQUIRING AN ELECTRICAL PERMIT:

Install, change or repair any hard-wired electrical system.
Run any additional wiring, put in an additional electrical outlet or light fixture, or change your fuse box to circuit breakers.
Install or alter low voltage systems such as security alarms, central vacuum systems, low voltage lighting or phone systems.

NOTE: Electrical permits are issued by Yamhill County only. Please contact Yamhill County 503-434-7516 for specific information.

WORK REQUIRING A MECHANICAL PERMIT:

Install or change any part of a heating or cooling system which has ductwork or must be vented into any kind of chimney or vent.
Install a wood stove or fireplace insert.
Install, alter or repair gas piping between the meter and an appliance (indoors and outdoors).
Install a fuel oil tank.

NOTE: Mechanical permits are issued by Yamhill County only. Please contact Yamhill County 503-434-7516 for specific information.

WORK REQUIRING A PLUMBING PERMIT:

Repair, replace, relocate or add to the plumbing system within your home.
Install new plumbing fixtures such as toilets, sinks, showers, tubs, dishwashers, etc.
Replace a water heater.
Replace existing plumbing fixtures if the replacement involves concealed plumbing connections.
Install rain drains, cesspools, septic systems, drywells, sewer lines, water lines, backflow prevention assemblies for lawn sprinkler systems or cap a sewer.

NOTE: Adding a bathroom not only requires a plumbing permit, but may also require a building, electrical and/or mechanical permit.

WORK NOT REQUIRING A BUILDING PERMIT:

Paint a building that is not a historic landmark or does not have specific zoning restrictions.
Install insulation in existing homes.
Install storm windows.
Install window awnings, not more than 54 inches deep and not in a design zone, that are supported by an exterior wall and do not project beyond the property line.
Replace interior wall, floor or ceiling covering (such as wallboard or sheet vinyl).
Install shelving and cabinets.
Install gutters and downspouts (a plumbing permit may still be required for storm water disposal).
Replace or repair siding.
Replace or repair roofing, if there is no replacement of sheathing (a maximum of three layers of roofing is allowed).
Replace doors or windows if the existing openings are not widened.
Install swings and other play structures.
Build a fence up to seven feet high. (You should verify clear vision in areas prior to building the fence).
Concrete sidewalks, slabs, platforms and driveways.
Build a patio or deck that is not more than 30 inches above grade.
Build a shed or detached non-habitable one-story accessory structure less than or equal to 200 square feet in an area and less than 10ft in height from the floor to the top of the top plate.
Repave driveways where no expansion has occurred.
Remove and reinstall a toilet when installing new floor covering.
Replace accessible plumbing fixtures to make emergency plumbing repairs or to replace freeze-damaged or leaking concealed plumbing pipes that are no more than five feet in length.
Build a patio or porch cover not over 200 square feet and supported by an exterior building wall.
Ground mounted flagpoles, antennae, and similar items that do not exceed 25 feet in height.

WHY DO I NEED A PERMIT?

It’s the law. State building code requires that permits be obtained for certain types of work.

Permits protect you, your family and your investment. They are designed to help ensure that licensed contractors do the required work.

Inspections ensure that work meets the minimum code requirements and is completed safely.

Minor problems that could lead to costly repairs, liability and life/safety issues can be detected during permit inspections and brought to your attention before the situation worsens.

When selling a property, the buyer, realtor and/or lender may require that unpermitted work be corrected, properly permitted and inspected before closing.

Please note: Regardless of whether a building permit is required, the project must meet the City of Carlton Development Code requirements for building setbacks and clear vision areas. The City Ordinances and Development Code can be found on the City of Carlton website, under Planning & Zoning, or you can contact City Hall at 503-852-7575 for additional information.

While Grant Street will be temporarily closed during construction, there’s no need to worry. Detours will be in place prior to the closure via soon-to-be South Cunningham Street and West Washington Streets allowing both vehicles and pedestrians access to the park. Barricades and signage will be posted alerting the public.

If a permit is needed to work on your property, City approval will be needed first. To do this, complete a Building Compliance Application and bring it in to City Hall. This permit can be also found on the home page under Forms, Permits, and Applications. A site plan or scope of work narrative will also be needed. A $100.00 fee will be assessed upon delivery to City Hall.

City Hall staff will review the Building Compliance Application and make sure it meets all City Code. Once approved, the application is ready to go to Yamhill County Planning and Building Department for permits.

In addition to new streets, West Grant Street and South River Street will be widened and sidewalks will be provided, thanks to a collaboration between the City of Carlton and the developer. This creates safer pedestrian access to and from the park.

To get a mailbox at your house, please start by visiting the Post Office. Mailbox installation specifications and location can be acquired from the Post Office at 438 West Main street in Carlton. Next, a Mailbox and Right of Way permit (Type A) needs to be filled out and returned to City Hall, along with a $25.00 fee. A site map with the proposed location of the mailbox is also needed at the time of application. This permit can be also found on the home page under Forms, Permits, and Applications. City Hall staff will process and notify applicant when the permit is approved and ready for pick up at City Hall.

Please call 811 for locates before digging in a City right of way.

A permit is not needed for a one time garage or yard sale at your residence.

A permit is not needed to build a fence on your property. Please contact the Planning Clerk at City Hall for details on the process. For fences less than 7 feet, please see our fence regulation guide for details and images before you build your fence.

To build a shed 200 square feet or smaller on your property, you do not need a permit, but there are other requirements you will need in order to meet City Code. In order to begin, you will need to know your properties zoning. Your can find your properties zone on our Zoning Map. Click here for the details on shed building and placement requirements.

You can have chickens on your property in Carlton. To be a courteous neighbor, please refer to City Code Chapter 8, Health and Safety, which states: "Odor. Any premises or animal located thereon which are in such state or condition as to cause a noisy condition or offensive odor or which are in an unsanitary condition" can be declared a nuisance affecting public health. Should neighbors inform the City that the smell or noise associated with chickens is offensive, then corrective action can take place.

Swine over 25 pounds are not allowed within City limits.

This means that the City has received a land use application, which they are reviewing to determine if the proposal meets the applicable code sections or could meet the code sections with reasonable conditions. You have received the notice since your property is within 100 feet of the proposed development or site of action. Call or email the Planning Clerk if you have any questions regarding the notice, hearing or application.

Carlton is a "Great Little Town," and many are interested in living and doing business here. To find out what your options are for a property, first consult the City of Carlton zoning map to determine the property's zoning. You can then refer to the City of Carlton Development Code or the Planning and Zoning tab to find out your property use options. Each zone has specific permitted uses which do not require a land use application with the City. There are also conditional uses that require a land use application. If this is the case for your property, please contact the Planning Clerk at City Hall to get more information.

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