Planning Q & A
How do I know what my property zoned?
What am I permitted to do on my property (uses)?
How do I know what my required setbacks are?
Can I open a business out of my home?
I want to add onto my house or build a deck or accessory structure…what do I need to do?
Where can I build my fence and how tall can it be?
Can I cut down a tree in my yard?
How do I provide comments on a proposed development?
I received a public hearing notice…what does this mean?
How do I know what my property zoned?
Click here for “Report Centric Mapping”, enter your address and select search. Once you have selected your property, select the “Planning” tab. This will identify the zone.
What am I permitted to do on my property (uses)
Once you know your zone, Select the Municipal Code tab (or click here). Click title 16 (on the left hand side), then scroll down to the appropriate zone. When you click the zone that you are interested in the code will appear in the main screen. If you have questions, you can always feel free to contact the planning department at 503-625-4202!
How do I know what my required setbacks are?
The required setback varies depending on the zone you are in. If you are in a Planned Unit Development (cross hatched overlay on the zoning map), please contact the Planning Department. Otherwise, go to the Municipal Code tab (or click here) and Click title 16 (on the left hand side), then scroll down to the appropriate zone. When you click the zone that you are interested in the code will appear in the main screen. If you have questions, you can always feel free to contact the planning department at 503-625-4202!
Can I open a business out of my home?
You can operate a business from your home however there are guidelines that you must follow. You will need to get a home occupation permit as well as a business license from the City of Sherwood. Contact the City's Receptionist at 503-625-5522 to obtain the necessary paperwork.
I want to add onto my house or build a deck or accessory structure…what do I need to do?
You may need a building permit depending on the size of the structure you are planning. Contact the building department to determine whether a building permit is required. Regardless of whether a building permit is required, there are regulations in the development code regarding the required distance you need to maintain from the property line (referred to as setbacks) and the maximum size and height of the structure. Check out code section 16.50 for more information on accessory structures.
Where can I build my fence and how tall can it be?
These standards apply to fences and walls.
- Front yard fences: allowed up to 42” high
- Side/ rear yard fencing: allowed up to 6’ except fences that are adjacent to public pedestrian access way/ alleys cannot exceed 42” (landscaped buffers can be up to 3’ wide between fences and access or alley.
Rear flag lots: there must be at least a 42” high fence that separates it from the abutting properties.
- Corner lot standards- a fence can be built in the corner side yard, eight feet away from the sidewalk. The clear vision standards must be met.
Height Limits:
- Residential properties can have a fence up to 6’ tall
- Non-residential properties can have a fence up to 8’ tall.
Hedges (closely spaced vegetation forming a barrier or screen) can be up to 8’ tall in residential zones (side and rear setback) and 12’ tall in non-residential zones.
Can I cut down a tree in my yard?
Trees on private property can be removed without a permit; however, you must notify the planning department 48 hours prior to cutting the tree. You can only remove up to 5 trees not to exceed 100 total inches DBH per acre, per year. If you will exceed those limitations or if you are planning to develop your property within the next year, contact the planning department.
Removal of a street tree has different regulations and may require a permit. Street trees can be removed if they are replaced, if you believe that replacing the tree could cause continued problems, contact the planning department to find out if your street tree would meet replacement exemption criteria.
- Street trees less than 5” DBH can be removed without a permit.
- Street trees 5-10” DBH require a tree permit (click for application and checklist)
- Street trees over 10“ DBH require a tree permit (click for application and checklist) Note: an arborist report and a statement discussing how the applicant tried to work with neighbors, HOA and/or the city must be submitted with the application.
If you need more information or questions regarding this new process, please contact the planning department at 503-625-4202.
I received a public hearing notice…what does this mean?
The City has received an application and they are reviewing it to determine if the proposal meets the applicable code sections or could meet the code sections with reasonable conditions. You have received the notice since your property is within 1000 feet of the proposed development site.
How do I provide comments on a proposed development?
E-mail or mail your comments to the planning department. It is helpful if you reference the project name or file number. The comments must address land use standards and be submitted prior to the public comment period closing. The public comment period varies by project; contact the planning department for more information or check the status of the project online at www.sherwoodoregon.gov, click Land Use tab, then click current projects, finally click the link to the page that you are interested in.