Planning, Building & Development Information

 Planning FAQ's

Below is a list of commonly asked questions the Planning Department receives.  Click on the hyperlinks to view the supporting information.

How do I know what a property is zoned?

• Locate the property on the Gladstone Zoning Map
• For more information about a property, enter the address into CMAP

What uses are permitted on a property?

• Once you have identified the applicable zoning for the property, you can see a list of allowable uses in the corresponding zone within Title 17 of the Gladstone Municipal Code  

What are the required minimum setbacks and maximum height?

• The required setbacks vary depending on the zone you are in. Typically, most residential properties will be zoned R-5 or R-7.2:
  • Front (and street-side for a corner lot): 20 feet
  • Side: 7.5 feet in R-7.2 zone; 5 feet in R-5 zone and irregular shaped lots in R-7.2 zone
  • Rear: 15 feet
  • Eaves, overhangs, gutters, etc. may project 2 feet into required setback
  • Porches on the front of a house may project 5 feet into the front setback
• Dimensional standards for each zone can be found in Title 17 of the Gladstone Municipal Code

What are the rules for adding onto my house or building a deck or accessory structure?

• You may need a building permit depending on the size of the structure you are planning. To see if your structure requires a building permit, contact the Clackamas County Building Department.
• Garages, carports, storage sheds and other accessory buildings shall meet the setbacks for the zone (identified above), except that accessory structures a maximum of 1 story in height and 450 square feet in area detached from other buildings on the same lot by a minimum of 10 feet may reduce the rear setback to five feet.
• No setback is required for uncovered courtyards, patios and decks 30 inches or less in height (no water may runoff onto neighboring property or the public sidewalk or street).
• Uncovered courtyards, patios or decks over 30 inches in height shall maintain a minimum 5 foot setback to the side and rear (20 feet front and street-side for corner lot).
• Covered courtyards, patios or decks shall meet the setbacks of the underlying zone (identified above).

What are the rules for adding an ADU or “granny flat” onto a property?

• Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are permitted in the R-7.2 and R-5 zones:
  • Maximum of one ADU per lot
  • Must be between 220 and 800 square feet in size
  • Maximum of two bedrooms
  • Maximum of one entrance on the front of the structure (unless pre-existing)
  • ADUs used as vacation rentals must provide an additional off-street vehicle parking space for the rental and must record a deed restriction requiring owner-occupancy of either the primary home or the ADU on the property.

What is Middle Housing and where is it allowed?

• Middle housing includes duplex, triplex, quadplex, cottage cluster, and townhomes.
• Middle housing is allowed in all Residential zoning districts in Gladstone. Find dimensional standards for each middle housing type in the underlying zone listed in Title 17 of the Gladstone Municipal Code

How do I develop commercial, industrial or institutional property?

• Contact the Planning Department to schedule a pre-application meeting to discuss a design review application. Other permits may be required, such as a conditional use permit, floodplain development permit, or habitat conservation area permit. This will all be discussed at a pre-application meeting.

What if I still have questions?

• Email permit.review@3j-consulting.com (preferred method) or
• Call 3J Consulting at 503-946-9365, Extension 206 for Heather Austin or 261 for Ryley McDowell

Gladstone Planning Services are provided by 3J Consulting. Submit all land use applications and correspondence to: City of Gladstone Attn: Heather Austin 18505 Portland Ave. Gladstone, OR 97027, Email: permit.review@3j-consulting.com or heather.austin@3j-consulting.com ● Phone: 503-946-9365 x206