ORS 215.296: Standards for approval of certain uses in exclusive farm use zones; violation of standards; complaint; penalties; exceptions to standards.

(1) A use allowed under ORS 215.213 (2) or (11) or 215.283 (2) or (4) may be approved only where the local governing body or its designee finds that the use will not: (a) Force a significant change in accepted farm or forest practices on surrounding lands devoted to farm or forest use; or (b) Significantly increase the cost of accepted farm or forest practices on surrounding lands devoted to farm or forest use. (2) An applicant for a use allowed under ORS 215.213 (2) or (11) or 215.283 (2) or (4) may demonstrate that the standards for approval set forth in subsection (1) of this section will be satisfied through the imposition of conditions. Any conditions so imposed shall be clear and objective. (3) A person engaged in farm or forest practices on lands devoted to farm or forest use may file a complaint with the local governing body or its designee alleging: (a) That a condition imposed pursuant to subsection (2) of this section has been violated; (b) That the violation has: (A) Forced a significant change in accepted farm or forest practices on surrounding lands devoted to farm or forest use; or (B) Significantly increased the cost of accepted farm or forest practices on surrounding lands devoted to farm or forest use; and (c) That the complainant is adversely affected by the violation. (4) Upon receipt of a complaint filed under this section or ORS 215.218, the local governing body or its designee shall: (a) Forward the complaint to the operator of the use; (b) Review the complaint in the manner set forth in ORS 215.402 to 215.438; and (c) Determine whether the allegations made in a complaint filed under this section or ORS 215.218 are true. (5) Upon a determination that the allegations made in a complaint are true, the local governing body or its designee at a minimum shall notify the violator that a violation has occurred, direct the violator to correct the conditions that led to the violation within a specified time period and warn the violator against the commission of further violations. (6) If the conditions that led to a violation are not corrected within the time period specified pursuant to subsection (5) of this section, or if there is a determination pursuant to subsection (4) of this section following the receipt of a second complaint that a further violation has occurred, the local governing body or its designee at a minimum shall assess a fine against the violator. (7) If the conditions that led to a violation are not corrected within 30 days after the imposition of a fine pursuant to subsection (6) of this section, or if there is a determination pursuant to subsection (4) of this section following the receipt of a third or subsequent complaint that a further violation has occurred, the local governing body or its designee shall at a minimum order the suspension of the use until the violator corrects the conditions that led to the violation. (8) If a use allowed under ORS 215.213 (2) or (11) or 215.283 (2) or (4) is initiated without prior approval pursuant to subsection (1) of this section, the local governing body or its designee at a minimum shall notify the user that prior approval is required, direct the user to apply for approval within 21 days and warn the user against the commission of further violations. If the user does not apply for approval within 21 days, the local governing body or its designee shall order the suspension of the use until the user applies for and receives approval. If there is a determination pursuant to subsection (4) of this section following the receipt of a complaint that a further violation occurred after approval was granted, the violation shall be deemed a second violation and the local governing body or its designee at a minimum shall assess a fine against the violator. (9)(a) The standards set forth in subsection (1) of this section do not apply to farm or forest uses conducted within: (A) Lots or parcels with a single-unit residential dwelling approved under ORS 215.213 (3), 215.284 (1), (2), (3), (4) or (7) or 215.705; (B) An exception area approved under ORS 197.732; or (C) An acknowledged urban growth boundary. (b) A person residing in a single-unit residential dwelling which was approved under ORS 215.213 (3), 215.284 (1), (2), (3), (4) or (7) or 215.705, which is within an exception area approved under ORS 197.732 or which is within an acknowledged urban growth boundary may not file a complaint under subsection (3) of this section. (10) This section does not prevent a local governing body approving a use allowed under ORS 215.213 (2) or (11) or 215.283 (2) or (4) from establishing standards in addition to those set forth in subsection (1) of this section or from imposing conditions to ensure conformance with the additional standards. [1989 c.861 §6; 1993 c.792 §15; 2001 c.704 §8; 2003 c.616 §3; 2011 c.567 §9; 2025 c.38 §34]