Accessory Structures

Garages, Sheds, & Other Accessory Structures

for Residentially-Zoned Properties

This page describes the development standards and other considerations to take into account for landowners wishing to add an accessory structure on their property. Accessory structures are detached from the primary structure (a house, typically). Refer to Woodburn Development Ordinance (WDO) 2.02, 2.03, or 2.04 for the regulations of the applicable base zoning district, 2.05 if an overlay district is relevant, and 2.06 that is specific to accessory structures. 

Street improvements per WDO 3.01.03C.2 might be required.

If a lot is within a "planned unit development" (PUD), it's subject to special standards apart from and separately documented from the WDO.  Please contact the Community Development Department with any questions.

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) have additional regulations not covered on this Residential Accessory Structures webpage.
 

Accessory Structures:

• Must be at least 5 feet from rear and side property lines.

• Must be at least 6 feet from all other buildings.

• Count towards total lot coverage, which is the percentage of a lot occupied by structures. Most lots have a maximum lot coverage of 35 or 40%.

• Can occupy up to 25% of the rear yard.

• Are prohibited within easements and within 50 feet of creeks and wetlands.

• Eaves may encroach into setbacks:  1.5 feet into a side setback and 2 feet into a rear setback.

• Can be no taller than 15 feet. This is measured to the middle of a pitched roof or peak of a flat roof.

Disclaimer: This webpage is intended purely as a guide. The information contained in it is subject to change at any time.  Refer to the Woodburn Development Ordinance (WDO) or contact the Associate Planner or Administrative Assistant to confirm any details.
 

A building permit is required if:

• The structure is greater than 200 square feet; or

• The wall height is greater than 15 feet, measured from the finished floor to the top of the wall.

Refer to the Building Division for building permit questions.
 

Additional Guidelines:

• Tax Maps showing approximate property lines can be found via the Marion County Assessor’s Office. Search property records here: https://mcasr.co.marion.or.us/.

• Many properties have metal pins at corners delineating property lines. The Public Works Department has a metal detector that can be borrowed for up to 24 hours at no charge. Call 503-982-5236.

• Electrical and plumbing permits are handled through Marion County Public Works. Call 503-588-5036 for more information.

• Homeowners’ associations (HOAs) may have privately enforced covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&Rs) for accessory structures. The City does not track or enforce such contracts.
   

Lot Coverage & Basic Site Development Standards:

Staff encourages potential applicants to look to the bottom of this webpage under Supporting Documents to download and use the attached lot coverage worksheet package before applying for any accessory structure building permit. 

A written exercise would help determine if the Community Development Department can or can't approve a project.  A project needs to meet basic site development standards in the Woodburn Development Ordinance (WDO) in addition to the building code in order for the Department to approve it.  Staff wants to avoid homeowners and contractors wasting time and money applying for building permits for projects that can't conform to WDO standards and that staff couldn't approve.

Note that the worksheet packet is not any kind of application packet and may be filled out at home or at the Department counter with Planning Division staff.

If a reader has questions about what a planning and zoning word or phrase means, see WDO 1.02 definitions such as for "lot coverage".