Welcome to the Bend Development Code. This is a comprehensive land use and development code that governs all of the land within the incorporated City limits of Bend. The titles of the code are used together to review land use applications and are organized as follows:

BDC Title 1 – In addition to this brief introduction, BDC Title 1 provides definitions for selected terms and information on the legal construct of the code. It also explains the City’s authority to enforce the Development Code.

BDC Title 2 – Every parcel, lot, and tract of land within the City’s incorporated boundaries is also within a “land use district.” (Land use districts are shown on the City’s official Zoning Map.) BDC Title 2 identifies the land uses that are permitted within each district and the standards that apply to each type of land use (e.g., lot standards, setbacks, and use-specific design standards). As required by State law, the zones or “land use districts” conform to the Bend Comprehensive Plan. The districts reserve land for planned land uses, provide compatibility between different uses, and implement planned housing densities.

BDC Title 3 – The design standards contained in BDC Title 3 apply throughout the City. Design standards are used in preparing development plans and reviewing applications to ensure compliance with City standards for access and circulation, landscaping, parking, public facilities, surface water management, housing densities, and sensitive lands.

BDC Title 4 – BDC Title 4 provides all of the application requirements and procedures for obtaining permits required by this code. Four types of permit procedures are covered: Type I (nondiscretionary, “ministerial” decision); Type II (discretionary, “administrative” decision); Type III (discretionary, “quasi-judicial” decision with public hearing); and Type IV (“legislative” decision by City Council).

BDC Title 5 – BDC Title 5 provides standards and procedures for variances and nonconforming situations (i.e., existing uses or developments that do not comply with the code). This code cannot provide standards to fit every potential development situation. The City has varied geography and complexities of land development require flexibility. BDC Title 5 provides such flexibility, while maintaining the purposes and intent of the code. [Ord. NS-2271, 2016; Ord. NS-2016, 2006]