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Setbacks
Q: What are building setbacks?
A: Setbacks are
required minimum distances between a building and the related front,
side, street side, or rear property line. These distances determine how
far construction must be set back from the property line. Setbacks for
your particular property may be determined by calling the Community
Development Department office. Or, if you know the zoning of your
property, simply check our online Development Code.
Q: Can eaves, decks, and other similar things project into my property setbacks?
A: Yes, some things can...
- Architectural features such as cornices, canopies, sunshades,
chimneys, and flues can project up to 18 (eighteen) inches into a
setback.
- Eaves can extend up to 24 (twenty-four) inches into a setback.
- An unenclosed covered patio, porch or a covered deck (enclosed less
than 50% total) can be placed in a front yard of a residence as long as
it is no closer than 5 (five) feet to the front property line.
- An unenclosed covered patio, porch or a covered deck (enclosed less
than 50% total) can be placed in a back yard of a residence as long as
the open side is no closer than 5 (five) feet to the rear property line.
Accessory Buildings
Q: Where am I permitted to place a storage shed or shop on my property?
A:
You may have accessory structures (e.g., storage shed, shop,
greenhouse, etc.) on your property. These structures must be located
outside of rear or side yard setbacks. If your property is located on a corner lot, please contact our office for additional setback requirements.
You need to make sure your overall lot coverage (percentage of property
covered by roofed structures) doesn’t exceed your zoning district’s lot
coverage standard (40% for R-1, 50% for R-2, etc.). Please contact our
office for lot coverage questions.
Q: Can I build an addition to my home?
A:
Generally, the answer would be yes, as long as the addition does not
encroach into any required setbacks, exceed lot coverage allowances or
extend more than 28 feet in height (to mid-point of ridge), and that
all other required building code requirements are met. In the
multi-family (R-4 and R-5) zones, that height limit is 35 feet. You are
encouraged to contact the Cottage Grove Building Division for further
information regarding such plans.
Q: May I build an apartment on my property?
A:
The City allows “Accessory Dwelling Units” (defined as a second
dwelling unit on a lot with an existing single family house, which is
auxiliary to, and smaller than, the main house). Section 2.2.200.B of
the Development Code specifies standards for ADUs. These are available
at the Community Development Department or can be downloaded from this
site. Standards include:
- The apartment cannot exceed 800 square feet of floor area.
- At least one of the units must be owner-occupied.
- Only one ADU is allowed per lot.
- Setbacks and building code requirements must be met.
- Detached accessory dwellings cannot exceed 28 feet or 110% of the height of the primary dwelling (whichever is less).
- A garage that is needed to meet the parking requirement for the main house cannot be converted into an apartment.
Fences
Q: What height fence can I build?
A: You may
fence in your entire yard. Fences do not require building permits, but
do have siting and height requirements, for example:
- No fence may be higher than 6 (six) feet.
- Fences cannot be any higher than 4 (four) feet tall in the front yard setback (normally the front 15 (fifteen) feet).
- Fences in side yards adjacent to a street are restricted to a
height of 4 (four) feet within 5 (five) feet of the side yard property
line. If you setback the fence 5 (five) feet, the fence may be 6 (six)
feet high.
- Interior side yard and rear yard fences may be 6 (six) feet high right up to the property line.
- Fences should not be higher than 2 ½ (two and one/half) feet
in the vision clearance triangle (a 20 (twenty) foot wide triangle at
the intersection of any two streets, driveway and street, or street and
alley).
- Walls over 4 (four) feet in height require a building permit.
Q: Can I build my fence on my property line?
A: A fence may be located up to, but not over, your property line(s).
Q: How do I find my property lines?
A: First,
obtain a copy of your property's legal description (if you don't have a
copy, you may be able to get this from the Lane County Assessor's
office located in the Lane County Courthouse), or copy of the plat map
for your subdivision. Using this information, try to locate your
property pins - iron rods inserted into the ground in each corner of
your property (you may need to use a metal detector to find them).
Stringing a line (or laying a garden hose) between those pins will give
you a fairly accurate idea of where your property lines are.
The Cottage Grove Engineering Department may be able to provide you
with additional information about your property, location of utilities,
etc. The Engineering Department can be contacted at 942-3349, and is
located in the basement of City Hall at 400 E. Main Street.
You may also want to hire a surveyor to reestablish your property corners and property lines for you.
Business Questions
Q: Do I need a license to operate a business in Cottage Grove?
A:
No. The City of Cottage Grove does not require a business license.
However, when opening a new business you are required to apply for a
Change of Use Permit available at the Community Development at no cost.
Q: Do I need a permit to operate a business in my home?
A:
Yes. Businesses operated, or based, from home are required to obtain a
Home Occupation Permit from the Community Development Department. An
application form for this permit is available in the Community
Development Department, or can be downloaded from this site. Further
information regarding Home Occupation Permits and the conditions under
which they must operate are found in Chapter 2.2.200 of the Cottage
Grove Development Code.
Q: Can I place a sign on my house for my home-based business?
A: Yes, but it is limited to a single sign not over two square feet in size per side.
Q: Can I use banners to advertise my business?
A:
Banners and temporary signs are permitted at commercial businesses for
a maximum of 14 (fourteen) calendar days, so long as they do not
encroach into the public right-of-way. Going out of business or
seasonal signs are permitted for a maximum of 30 (thirty) days prior to
the event. Banners and temporary signage are not permitted as part of a
home-based business.
Other Questions
Q: How do I find out my property's zoning?
A:
Until the City can provide this information to you through this
webpage, the easiest way to find out your property's zoning is to
either call the Community Development Department (541-942-3340) or to
stop by our office for a quick look at our zoning map (400 E Main
Street). You may also want to pick up a zoning map to take with you. They are available to the public for a small charge.
Q: Can I cut down the tree(s) in the planting strip in front of my home?
A:
Only if the tree is dead, dying, severely damaged, or creating a public
hazard; and, only following approval from the City. If you have a
specific question about the removal of a tree in a planting strip,
please call the Community Development Department. We will send a city
representative to assess the tree's health and make a decision
regarding its removal, or ask you to hire a professional. You may also
call the Community Development Department (541-942-3340) if you have
further questions regarding tree removal.
Q: Can I use my camper/trailer/RV for temporary or permanent living quarters?
A:
In limited circumstances, it is possible. Please see Section 4.9.100 of
the Cottage Grove Development Code and/or call the Community
Development Department for further information.
Q: Can I have horses, chickens, rabbits, goats and/or other animals/livestock?
A:
It is possible under certain circumstances. Section 2.2.110 allows
small animals (limited to 3), such as cats, dogs, pot-bellied pigs,
rabbits, chickens or similar size animals (excluding roosters and
swine) in all residential areas. Livestock, limited to 1 (one) head of
cattle, horse, sheep or similar size animal per ½ acre
undeveloped pasture, are also allowed in Restricted Residential (R) and
Low Density Residential (R-1) districts.
Q: Who owns the property next to me?
A: Information on property ownership can be obtained by calling the Lane County Assessor's Office (541-682-4321). Q: Is this property in the floodplain?
A:
The City restricts most all development from occurring within the
100-year flood plain. Further information regarding the City's Flood
Plain ordinance can be found in Chapter 3.7 of the Development Code.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has maps available on their website that can help you to determine if your property is within a floodplain. Floodplain maps
are also available for review at the Community Development Department.
Information on floodplain hazards, construction techniques, and the
National Floodplain Insurance Program is available at the Cottage Grove
Library. It is recommended that you get floodplain insurance if your
property is located in a designated floodplain.
Q: How do I file a nuisance complaint?
A: In
order to file a complaint, you can call the Community Development
Department (541-942-3340) or come speak with someone in the Community
Development Department Office at 400 E. Main Street. When a complaint
is filed, staff will perform a site inspection to determine if there is
a violation of City code. If a violation exists, the enforcement
process will begin. Please be patient, Code violations will be dealt
with on a complaint basis and according to specific procedure. If there
is no violation of City code, it is a civil matter in which the City
cannot be involved.
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