Frequently Asked Questions

To determine the zoning district for a property, visit the Zoning Map.

Yes, a fence permit is required for the installation or replacement of a fence. A permit is not required simply to repair an existing fence.

The fence permit applications must contain the following items:

• Site plan of the property that includes property lines, abutting streets with names, north arrow, and the proposed fence locations and heights.
• Drawing of the fence elevation.
• $37.20 permit fee

Yes, trees can be removed and a Tree Removal Permit is required if the following circumstances exits:

• Removal of a tree that is 18-inches DBH or greater and located on vacant property in the single-family residential zones (R-1, RR, WR and NM zones)
• Removal of a tree that is greater than six-inches DBH and located in the commercial and employment zones (C-1, E-1, M-1, CM or HC), or multi-family zones (R-2, R-3, and R-1-3.5) that are not occupied solely by a detached single-family dwelling and associated accessory structures including an accessory residential unit, or by a duplex.
• Removal of a tree located on steep slopes (25% and greater) or in an area surrounding creeks and wetlands or in a floodplain.
• Removal of a tree that is identified to be preserved and protected in a previous planning application decision, such as part of the creation of a subdivision or constructing an accessory residential unit
• Removal of a tree located in the public street right-of-way
• The topping of a tree

The Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) show the areas that would be inundated by a 100 year flood, which has a one % chance of occurring in any given year. These digital maps depict potential flood hazards, and are used by federally-regulated lending institutions and insurance agents in determining who must purchase flood insurance and the cost of that insurance, should it be necessary. In addition, the maps will be used by City, County, and State officials for floodplain management and permitting purposes. The City of Ashland has its own adopted floodplain for Ashland Creek, Clay Creek and Bear Creek, contact the Planning Division at 541-488-5305 for more information on those floodplains.

• Ashland Physical & Environmental Constraints Floodplain Map

View the proposed Development Proposals Map

Chapter 18 of the Ashland Municipal Code outlines the permitted and conditional uses for each zoning district. See Chapter 18 of the Municipal Code, Section 18.2.2.030 to view the allowed uses by zone.

Common questions related to Electric Vehicle charger installations:

• Is a building permit required?
  Yes, an Electrical Permit Application (PDF) for one branch circuit is needed. Completed forms should be emailed to the Building Division for processing.
• Can the homeowner do the work themselves or is an electrician required?
  The homeowner can perform the work if it is their primary residence. If it is a rental property or you plan to sell the property within a year, a licensed electrical contractor is required.
• Is a City inspection required?
  Yes, once the permit is issued and the job is completed an inspection will need to be conducted by the Ashland Building Division. Request an inspection.

Yes. Chickens are allowed in Ashland provided specific conditions are met:

The number or chickens kept on any property is limited by the lot size. No more than five chickens are allowed on properties of less than 5,000 square feet in area. For properties larger than 5,000 square feet in area, one chicken for every 1,000 square feet of lot area is allowed (up to a maximum of 20 chickens).

Roosters are not allowed within the City, and chickens (hens) cannot be closer than 20 feet to a neighboring dwelling and shall be kept at least 10 feet from any adjoining property. The environment where chickens are kept must be kept odor and debris-free; they cannot run loose; and the chickens cannot cause a noise disturbance to neighboring properties.

Standards relating to the construction of Chicken Coops and Chicken Runs are provided in the Ashland Land Use Ordinance: Accessory Buildings and Structures (AMC 18.2.5.040)

Additionally, the Health and Sanitation Chapter of the Ashland Municipal Code addresses specific requirements for the keeping of chickens within the City:

• Keeping of Animals (AMC 9.08.040)
• Animals at Large (AMC 9.08.030)
• Nuisances Affecting the Public Health (AMC 9.08.060)
• Unnecessary Noise (AMC 9.08.170)

Operating a vacation rental or traveler's accommodation, from a private residence such as renting a second unit, a cottage, or a room in a home on a short-term basis (less than 30-days), in the City of Ashland requires a Conditional Use Permit (CUP). 

Short-term accommodations are prohibited in the Single Family Zones (R-1) however they are permitted in the two multi-family residential zones (R-2 and R-3) with a CUP. A CUP is a land use application processed through the Community Development Department and that requires public noticed to surrounding properties.

General requirements for establishing a Traveler's Accommodation include: the business owner of the accommodation must reside on the property; the primary residence on the site must be 20 years old and the property must be located within 200 feet of an arterial or collector street. Arterial and Collectors are the major streets in town such as Siskiyou, North and East Main, Wimer, Iowa, Wightman, Ashland, Mountain, Beach Street and Morton.

Additionally, Traveler's Accommodations must meet all applicable building, fire and related safety codes at all times and must be inspected by the fire department before occupancy. The business-owner must maintain a city business license and pay all transient occupancy tax. Lastly, advertising for any traveler's accommodation must include the City of Ashland Planning Action number assigned to the land use approval and offering the availability of residential property for use as a traveler's accommodation without a valid Conditional Use Permit approval, current business license, and Transient Occupancy Tax registration is prohibited.

Below are the relevant City of Ashland code sections:

1. 18.2.3.220 Travelers' Accommodations in R-2 and R-3
2. Conditional Use Permits 18.5.4

Residents interested in operating short-term accommodations should contact the City of Ashland Planning Division at 541-488-5305.

Marijuana-related businesses may require Site Design Review or a Conditional Use Permit, depending on zoning and business type. See Table 18.2.2.030, Uses Allowed by Zone, for zones where marijuana-related businesses are allowed. Marijuana-related businesses shall meet all of the following requirements:

1. The business must be located in a permanent building and may not locate in a trailer, cargo container, or motor vehicle. Outdoor marijuana production, cultivation, and storage of merchandise, raw materials, or other material associated with the business are prohibited.
2. Any modifications to the subject site or exterior of a building housing the business must obtain Site Design Review approval as required by section 18.5.2.020. Security bars or grates on windows and doors are prohibited.
3. The business must provide for secure disposal of marijuana remnants or by-products; such remnants or by-products shall not be placed within the business’s exterior refuse containers.
4. Light and Glare. Shield lighting systems and use window coverings to confine light and glare from light systems associated with indoor cultivation so as to confine light and glare to the interior of the structure. Grow light systems within a greenhouse are prohibited.
5. Building Code. Any structure, accessory structure, electrical service, plumbing, or mechanical equipment (e.g., lighting, fans, heating and cooling systems) associated with a business shall satisfy the Building Code requirements and obtain all required building permits prior to installation.
6. Separation Requirements. If any portion of the premises of a proposed marijuana-related business is within 1,000 feet of an approved marijuana-related business of the same type, it may not be approved. For the purposes of determining the distance between a marijuana-related business and another marijuana-related business, “within 1,000 feet” means a straight-line measurement in a radius extending for 1,000 feet or less in every direction from the closest point anywhere on the premises of an approved marijuana-related business to the closest point anywhere on the premises of a proposed marijuana-related business of the same type. For the purpose of this section, premises is all public and private enclosed areas within a building at the location that are used in the business operation, including offices, kitchens, restrooms, and storerooms.
7. The property owner shall record a declaration which waives any claim or right to hold the City liable for damages they or a tenant may suffer from state or federal enforcement actions for activities the City permits as a result of its approval of the proposed use or development once such approval is granted. Furthermore, the owner and tenant agree not to unreasonably disobey the City’s order to halt or suspend business if state or federal authorities order or otherwise subject the City to enforcement to comply with laws in contradiction to the continued operations of the business as permitted under section 18.2.3.190.
8. A marijuana-related business must obtain an approved license or registration from the State of Oregon and meet all applicable Oregon Revised Statutes and Oregon Administrative Rules.

In addition to the above requirements, marijuana-related businesses must also meet additional requirements, dependent on the type of marijuana-related business (Laboratory, Processing, Production, Wholesale, or Retail).

Marijuana Laboratories, Processing, Production, and Wholesale: 

a. Marijuana laboratories, processing, production, and wholesale shall be located 200 feet or more from residential zones.

b. Marijuana Production.

     i. Marijuana production shall be limited to 5,000 square feet of gross leasable floor area per lot.

     ii. A marijuana production facility shall be located more than 1,000 feet from another marijuana production facility. See subsection 18.2.3.190.B.1.f for methodology for measuring the required distance between marijuana-related businesses.

c. Marijuana Wholesale. A marijuana wholesale facility shall be located more than 1,000 feet from another marijuana wholesale facility. See subsection 18.2.3.190.B.1.f for methodology for measuring the required distance between marijuana-related businesses.

Marijuana Dispensaries (Retail):

1. Location: 
   1. Marijuana retail sales are allowed if located on a property with a boundary line adjacent to a boulevard.
   2. Marijuana retail sales, except as allowed above in subsection 18.2.3.190.B.3.a.i, must be located 200 feet or more from a residential zone and are subject to a Conditional Use Permit under chapter 18.5.4.
   3. Marijuana retail sales are not permitted in the Downtown Design Standards Zones.
   4. A marijuana retail sales outlet shall be located more than 1,000 feet from another marijuana retail sales outlet. Medical and recreational marijuana retail sales do not need to be separated by 1,000 feet if located together in one building if the configuration meets all applicable Oregon Revised Statutes and Oregon Administrative Rules. No more than two registrations or licenses issued by the State of Oregon (e.g., a medical dispensary registration and a recreational sales license) may be located in one building. See subsection 18.2.3.190.B.1.f for methodology for measuring the required distance between marijuana-related businesses.
2. Drive-up Uses are not allowed.

An accessory residential unit (ARU) is a secondary dwelling unit on a lot, either attached to the single-family dwelling or in a detached building located on the same lot with a single-family dwelling, and having an independent means of entry.

The allowable size of an ARU varies by location and is based on the property zoning. 

For more information regarding application fees, permits, and zoning requirements for ARUs, refer to section 18.2.3.040 of the Land Use Municipal Code.

Individual property information is kept on file with Jackson County and can be viewed online using Jackson County Property Data Online (PDO). Commonly requested information that is available through this application includes:

• Property owner information
• Lot size
• Year the structure was built
• Square footage
• Sales history
• Improvements
• Photos
• Assessors maps

Jackson County Property Data Online

Basic instructions for using Property Data Online:

1. Select the blue "Search" tab located towards the top-right of the screen.
2. Next, select the search type you would like to conduct. There are a number of ways to search for a property; however the most common are by "Map and Taxlot" or by "Address".
3. Select the current year.
4. Enter the Map and Taxlot number or House Number and Street. Note: When entering Map and Taxlot numbers, all City of Ashland map numbers begin with 391E (Example: 391E10AA)
5. After entering the search information, select the "Submit" icon.

The basic property information will appear on the screen. To view more detailed information, select the "Click to View Assessment and Planning Details for this account" link. From there, you will be able to view: 

• Account Details
• Sales
• Deed Card
• Overlay Report
• Permit Details
• Tax Reports

Note: Most of the frequently requested property information can be viewed on the "Account Details" page.

Disclaimer: The City of Ashland is not responsible for the accuracy of the information obtained from the County's Property Data Online application. Please note that City permit information is not available on the County's program, and zoning information provided by the County can be incorrect. To confirm the property zoning, view the City of Ashland Zoning Map. To confirm other details, please contact the Community Development Department at 541-488-5305.

Yes. "Deer Fencing" specifically designed for the purpose of protecting vegetation and gardens from foraging deer can be installed up to a height of 8 feet provided a clear view through the deer fencing is maintained. Fencing materials such as polypropylene netting, taut wires, and woven wire mesh (excluding chain-link) allow this clear view and are adequate to keep deer out. Like all fences, constructing a deer fence requires that a permit be first obtained from the City.

The required standards for deer fencing are provided in 18.4.4.060.B.6 [Deer Fencing] (PDF) of the Ashland Land Use Ordinance.

The amount of marijuana plants that can be grown on a property is dependent on if the growing is for medical or recreational use. For medical marijuana, the maximum number of plants allowed per lot is 6. For recreational marijuana, the maximum number of plants allowed per lot is 4.

Solar access is one's right to a certain amount of sunlight to fall upon their dwelling or property. Solar setbacks are the minimum distance that a structure, or any part thereof, can be located from a property boundary. For detailed information on solar access, solar setbacks, lot classifications, and permits, please refer to section 18.4.8 of the Land Use Municipal Code.