Natural Resource Overlay District Review

TreeThe Natural Resource Overlay District (NROD) protects natural resources - such as streams, wetlands, and riparian areas - by maintaining a buffer zone of protection around them called a "vegetated corridor." The vegetated corridor consists of native plantings and habitat areas. The required vegetated corridor buffer can vary in width depending on the resource it is protecting. Development within the NROD buffer is generally discouraged and requires land use review from the Planning Division.

Oregon City's mapped Natural Resource Overlay District is based on the 1999 Local Wetland Inventory of Oregon City and is regulated by Chapter 17.49 of the Oregon City Municipal Code. Both the NROD map and associated code are in compliance with Titles 3 and 13 of the regional Metro Urban Growth Functional Management Plan. The NROD also helps to implement the Oregon City Comprehensive Plan Natural Resource Goals and Policies, as well as promoting federal Clean Water Act requirements for the shading of streams and reduction of water temperatures. Learn more here.

Find Out if Your Property Resides Within the Natural Resource Overlay District

The City's website has a variety of resources including Property Reports and an Online Mapping System called OCWebMaps. Please review the information in the links provided on this page and call the Planning Division at 503-722-3789 or email Planning with any questions.

Review Process

Natural Resource Overlay District review applications range in discretion depending on the subject property, the natural features on site, and the proposed development. Therefore, the process for an NROD review application can be as straightforward as a Type I non-discretionary, over-the-counter review process to a Type III Land Use Process (PDF).

Often, NROD reviews arise to the level of a Type II Land Use Process (PDF), which requires public notice, but is reviewed at a staff level. Typically, these applications require a natural resource study prepared by a qualified professional - such as a wetland scientist or biologist - that would delineate the natural resources existing onsite and prepare a mitigation plan for disturbance associated with the proposed development. The first step in the Type II or III application process is scheduling a Pre-Application Conference.

Oregon City Municipal Code Criteria

Access the Oregon City Municipal Code (OCMC) Criteria.

In addition to the zoning designation and any special requests, such as Variances, the following chapters of the Oregon City Municipal Code (OCMC) are applicable to the Natural Resource Overlay District:

NROD Planning Applications

Find up-to-date fees on the Planning Fee Schedule page.

  • Type I Exemption
  • Type I NROD Verification - Residential
  • Type I NROD Verification - Non-Residential
  • Type II Exemption
  • Type II or III NROD Verification - Residential
  • Type II or III NROD Verification - Non-Residential
  • City Consultant Fee: Actual City Cost

Please note: Additional fees may be required from other departments, agencies, and consultants.