Clackamas County is offering to waive certain provisions of county code in order to allow local businesses, churches and other institutions to safely reopen during the Covid-19 pandemic and allow for physical distancing.
The flexibility applies only temporary modifications to land zoned for commercial, industrial or institutional uses; it does not apply to land zoned for residential use. All building codes and safety standards will still apply.
“This flexibility could help a restaurant that wants to set up seating outside in the parking lot, a religious institution that would find it helpful to erect a large a tent for people to gather safely outside or a school that needs portable classrooms to expand space for students,” Jennifer Hughes, the county’s planning director, explained.
Businesses and institutions interested in taking advantage of this opportunity are asked to contact Clackamas County Planning & Zoning at zoninginfo@clackamas.us or 503-742-4500 for more information.
All requests will be reviewed by Planning and Public Health, along with Development Services staff, and will have to be approved by the Board of County Commissioners.
“Anything we can do to help businesses survive, while keeping people safe – I’m all for,” said Commissioner Ken Humberston, who supports the temporary measure.
The provisions that may be waived are in the county’s Zoning and Development Ordinance.
