Accessory Dwelling Unit Survey

ADU Survey

Thank you for taking a few minutes to participate the county’s survey on Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU). All residents of Jefferson County are welcome to take the survey, whether your property would qualify for an ADU or not. Information from this survey will be used by the County Planning Commission and Board of Commissioners in considering whether or not to allow ADUs in the county and, if so, under what restrictions and standards.

What is an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)?

An ADU is a second, complete living space on a property that already has a main dwelling. ADUs can be in many forms: from a portion of a home converted to a separate living unit; to a living space in an accessory structure like a shop or garage; to a stand-alone structure.

Why is the county considering allowing ADUs?

Prior to this year, state law prohibited ADUs outside of urban growth boundaries. However, in 2021 Senate Bill 391 (SB 391) authorized counties to determine whether or not to allow ADUs on rural residential lands with certain restrictions. As there has been a substantial amount of interest expressed by landowners in ADUs, the Board of Commissioners has directed staff to bring the issue to the County Planning Commission to facilitate public input and discussion.

In what areas of the county could ADUs be allowed?

SB 391 limits ADUs to areas “zoned for rural residential use.” In Jefferson County, this would include any zone which allows a single family dwelling as an outright use: Rural Residential (RR-2, RR-5, RR-10), Existing Rural Development (ERD), Crooked River Ranch Residential (CRR); and Three Rivers Recreation Area (TRRA). ADUs are still prohibited on lands zoned for farm, forest or commercial/industrial uses. The Camp Sherman area is also ineligible as SB 391 specifically indicates that ADUs are not eligible in “an area of critical state concern.”

What are the site and development standards for ADUs?

Senate Bill 391 includes a set of minimum standards. Counties may adopt more stringent regulations but cannot be more lenient than the state law. The purpose of this process includes not only determining whether or not ADUs will be allowed in Jefferson County but, if they are allowed, in what areas and whether additional requirements/restrictions should be added to the minimum standards in the law. Among the standards specifically listed in SB 391 are the following:

· The property must be a minimum of 2 acres in size.

· The property cannot be located within an urban reserve area.

· The lot must be within a fire protection district that meets certain standards.

· The ADU cannot exceed 900 square feet in size.

· The ADU must be located within 100 feet of the primary residence.

· The ADU may not be used for short-term rentals (minimum consecutive 45 days)

· The ADU, along with the primary dwelling, must comply with all laws related to sanitation and waste disposal.

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* 1. Do you own or rent property in Jefferson County that is zoned for rural residential (RR) use?

Yes, own.

Yes, rent.

No, I do not own or rent property in Jefferson County

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* 2. Where is your property located? For multiple properties, check all that apply.

City limits or urban growth boundary of Madras, Culver, or Metolius

Crooked River Ranch

Three Rivers

Camp Sherman

General County (not inside a UGB or unincorporated community)

Do not own property in Jefferson County

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* 3. What is the size of your property?

0 to 1.99 acres

2.00 to 2.99 acres

3.00 to 3.99 acres

4.00 to 4.99 acres

5 acres or more

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* 4. In general, are you in favor of Jefferson County allowing ADUs on rural residential lands?

Yes, I am firmly in favor.

Yes, but I have some concerns (opportunity to indicate below).

No, I am not in favor but would consider it if certain concerns are addressed.

No, I am definitely not in favor.

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* 5. If the county DOES allow ADUs, what do you think the minimum lot size should be?

2 acre minimum

3 acre minimum

4 acre minimum

5 acre minimum

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* 6. If Jefferson County allows ADUs, how interested would you be in building one on your property/properties?

Extremely interested

Would strongly consider it

Not now but would like the opportunity for future property value

Not interested

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* 7. If you were to construct an ADU on your property/properties, what would your most likely use(s) be for the ADU? Check all that apply.

Visiting guests/family

Long-term use by guests/family

Providing a home for an elderly or disabled family member

Long-term (45+ days) rental

I am not interested in constructing an ADU.

Other (please specify)

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* 8. Please rank your primary concerns with the county allowing ADUs.

	Very concerned, critical issue	concerned but can address through code	not concerned
Maintaining character of the neighborhood/community	Maintaining character of the neighborhood/community Very concerned, critical issue	Maintaining character of the neighborhood/community concerned but can address through code	Maintaining character of the neighborhood/community not concerned
Sufficiency of lot size to avoid impacts on immediate neighbors	Sufficiency of lot size to avoid impacts on immediate neighbors Very concerned, critical issue	Sufficiency of lot size to avoid impacts on immediate neighbors concerned but can address through code	Sufficiency of lot size to avoid impacts on immediate neighbors not concerned
Increasing demand on emergency services (fire, law enforcement, ambulance)	Increasing demand on emergency services (fire, law enforcement, ambulance) Very concerned, critical issue	Increasing demand on emergency services (fire, law enforcement, ambulance) concerned but can address through code	Increasing demand on emergency services (fire, law enforcement, ambulance) not concerned
Increasing traffic	Increasing traffic Very concerned, critical issue	Increasing traffic concerned but can address through code	Increasing traffic not concerned
Increasing noise, light, litter or other nuisances	Increasing noise, light, litter or other nuisances Very concerned, critical issue	Increasing noise, light, litter or other nuisances concerned but can address through code	Increasing noise, light, litter or other nuisances not concerned
Failing septic systems	Failing septic systems Very concerned, critical issue	Failing septic systems concerned but can address through code	Failing septic systems not concerned
Impact on the water table/water supply	Impact on the water table/water supply Very concerned, critical issue	Impact on the water table/water supply concerned but can address through code	Impact on the water table/water supply not concerned

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* 9. Do you think the concerns you indicated above can be addressed through restrictions/standards in the Jefferson County Code?

Yes, all of my concerns can be addressed

Some (but not all), of my concerns can be addressed

Not sure

My concerns cannot be addressed

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* 10. Rank your agreement with the following statement: “Allowing ADUs is a strategy that can effectively help the county address the current housing shortage.”

Strongly agree

Agree

Somewhat agree

Neither agree nor disagree

Somewhat disagree

Disagree

Strongly disagree

Accessory Dwelling Unit Survey

ADU Survey

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* 1. Do you own or rent property in Jefferson County that is zoned for rural residential (RR) use?

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* 2. Where is your property located? For multiple properties, check all that apply.

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* 3. What is the size of your property?

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* 4. In general, are you in favor of Jefferson County allowing ADUs on rural residential lands?

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* 5. If the county DOES allow ADUs, what do you think the minimum lot size should be?

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* 6. If Jefferson County allows ADUs, how interested would you be in building one on your property/properties?

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* 7. If you were to construct an ADU on your property/properties, what would your most likely use(s) be for the ADU? Check all that apply.

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* 8. Please rank your primary concerns with the county allowing ADUs.

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* 9. Do you think the concerns you indicated above can be addressed through restrictions/standards in the Jefferson County Code?

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* 10. Rank your agreement with the following statement: “Allowing ADUs is a strategy that can effectively help the county address the current housing shortage.”

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* 11. Additional Comments