Oregon legislation · 2026 Legislative Measures
Oregon SB1578: Relating to rural residential development.
Status: Failed, March 6, 2026
Digest: This Act allows rural counties to zone up to 50 acres for homes and allows more rural ADUs. (Flesch Readability Score: 66.3). Allows counties with a population density of less than 30 people per square mile to rezone up to 50 acres to be divided and developed for residential dwellings of at least five units per acre. Sunsets January 2, 2034. Expands allowed development of accessory dwelling units to farmland with certain existing nonfarm dwellings. Allows the development of larger rural accessory dwelling units.
What the bill says
A bill FOR AN ACT Relating to rural residential development; creating new provisions; and amending ORS 197.783, 197.791, 197A.400, 215.490, 215.495 and 215.501.
From the introduced text, January 28, 2026:
A BILL FOR AN ACT Relating to rural residential development; creating new provisions; and amending ORS 197.783, 197.791, 197A.400, 215.490, 215.495 and 215.501. Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon: RURAL REZONING SECTION 1. Section 2 of this 2026 Act is added to and made a part of ORS chapter 215. SECTION 2. (1) Notwithstanding any land use planning goal related to urbanization or agricultural or forest land or any other provision of this chapter, a county with a population density of less than 30 people per square mile, based on the 2020 federal decennial census, may approve applications to rezone, and to permit the division of, up to 50 acres of land for residential uses, provided that: (a) The land to be rezoned is not within an urban growth boundary and is at least one acre; (b) Any remainder lot or parcel created by the division of land rezoned under this section meets any applicable minimum lot size requirements; (c) The approval would not result in a cumulative total of more than 50 acres rezoned by the county under this section; and (d) The rezoning and division complies with rezoning and land division criteria and standards adopted by the county, except as otherwise provided in this section. (2) Lands rezoned under this section must be …
Sponsors
- Todd Nash (R, 29) · primary sponsor
- Mark Owens (R, 60) · primary sponsor
- Alek Skarlatos (R, 4) · primary sponsor
- Lew Frederick (D, 22)
- David Smith (R, 1)
- Suzanne Weber (R, 16)
- Paul Evans (D, 20)
- Cyrus Javadi (R, 32)
- Barbara Levy (R, 58)
- McDonald, Sarah (D, 16)
- Gregory Smith (R, 57)
Latest actions
- : In committee upon adjournment.
- : Work Session held.
- : Public Hearing held.
- : Referred to Housing and Development.
- : Introduction and first reading. Referred to President's desk.
Common questions
- What is SB1578?
- SB1578 is a bill in the Oregon Legislature (2026 Legislative Measures): Relating to rural residential development.
- What does SB1578 do?
- In its own words: A bill FOR AN ACT Relating to rural residential development; creating new provisions; and amending ORS 197.783, 197.791, 197A.400, 215.490, 215.495 and 215.501.
- What is the status of SB1578?
- Failed as of March 6, 2026. Latest action: In committee upon adjournment. (March 6, 2026).
- Who sponsored SB1578?
- Todd Nash (R, 29), with 10 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for SB1578?
- On the Oregon Legislature website: https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2026R1/Measures/Overview/1578
Source: official Oregon record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.