ORS 321.257: Definitions for ORS 321.257 to 321.390.
Edition: 2025 EditionEffective: 2026-01-01Last verified: 2026-09-07
As used in ORS 321.257 to 321.390, unless the context requires otherwise: (1) “Department” means the Department of Revenue. (2) “Forestland” means land in western Oregon that is being held or used for the predominant purpose of growing and harvesting trees of a marketable species and has been designated as forestland or land in western Oregon, the highest and best use of which is the growing and harvesting of such trees. Trees of a marketable species may vary in different areas in western Oregon and may change as the utilization of forest trees changes. The size, age, location, quality and condition of trees do not necessarily determine marketable species. Forestland often contains isolated openings which because of rock outcrops, river wash, swamps, chemical conditions of the soil, brush and other like conditions prevent adequate stocking of such openings for the production of trees of a marketable species. If the openings in their natural state are necessary to hold the surrounding forestland in forest use through sound management practices, the openings are deemed forestland. Forestland does not include buildings, structures, machinery, equipment or fixtures erected upon, under or above the soil. Forestland includes roads described in ORS 308.236. (3) “Land class” or “land classes” means one of the eight classifications of forestland, used for assessment purposes by the department, based upon State Tax Commission Valuation Division Supplements published in 1967, and identified in ORS 321.210. (4) “State Forester” means the State Forester or the authorized representative of the State Forester. (5) “Sustained yield management” means the growing and harvesting of timber crops on a continuous basis on land that is primarily dedicated to timber production. (6) “Taxing district” or “district” means each county, city, school district and other corporation vested with the power to levy property taxes in western Oregon. (7) “Timber” means all logs which can be measured in board feet and other forest products as determined by department rule. (8) “Western Oregon” means that portion of the state lying west of a line beginning at the intersection of the northern boundary of the State of Oregon and the western boundary of Wasco County, thence southerly along the western boundaries of the counties of Wasco, Jefferson, Deschutes and Klamath to the southern boundary of the State of Oregon. [1977 c.892 §1; 1983 c.539 §2; 1985 c.759 §18; 1989 c.1083 §1; 1993 c.653 §6; 1993 c.801 §1; 1999 c.1078 §12; 2003 c.621 §1]
Administrative rules citing this section
- OAR 150-321-0210: Forestland Classification — implements
This rule cites
- ORS 321.257 — resolved
- 321.390 — resolved
- ORS 308.236 — resolved
- ORS 321.210 — resolved
Cited by
- ORS 215.263: Land divisions in exclusive farm use zones; criteria for approval; rules.
- ORS 215.284: Dwelling not in conjunction with farm use; existing lots or parcels; new lots or parcels.
- ORS 215.720: Criteria for forestland dwelling under ORS 215.705.
- ORS 215.730: Additional criteria for forestland dwelling under ORS 215.705.
- ORS 310.165: Partially exempt or specially assessed property; treatment of additional taxes imposed upon disqualification from special assessment or exemption.
- ORS 315.124: Small forestland owner using standard practice harvest restrictions; rules.
- ORS 321.201: Definition of “forestland” for ORS 321.201 to 321.222.
- ORS 321.262: Purposes.
- ORS 321.267: Lands not eligible for special assessment.
- ORS 321.347: Land designations; classifications; certain election by landowners.
- ORS 321.348: Assignment of forestland to land classes; change in class.
- ORS 321.349: Valuation of certain forestland at farm use value.
- ORS 321.358: Application for designation as forestland; special filing date for change in highest and best use; contents; approval.
- ORS 321.367: Forestland management; effect of failure to manage forestland in accordance with management plan; rules.
- ORS 321.700: Definitions for ORS 321.700 to 321.754.
- ORS 321.716: Disqualification; requalification under certain circumstances; notice; automatic qualification as forestland.
- ORS 321.833: Common ownership minimum acreage requirements; specially assessed value and maximum assessed value of forestland of large landowners.
- OAR 150-321-0200: Forestland Valuation Rule
- OAR 150-321-0350: Acceptable Uses of Western Oregon Forestland
- OAR 660-029-0080: Designation of Receiving Areas
Official source: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/ors/ors321.html