3.8.200 Micro-Unit Development | Bend Development Code

3.8.200 Micro-Unit Development.

A. Applicability. Micro-unit developments are permitted in the RM-10, RM, RH, MU and MN Zoning Districts and in the Bend Central District. Micro-unit developments are also permitted as part of a mixed-use development in the Commercial and Mixed-Use Zoning Districts or as part of a neighborhood commercial site in the RS, RM and RH District.

B. Maximum Density. The maximum density must not exceed that of the relevant zoning district and is based on the following calculation:

1. Four micro-units equal one dwelling unit. Fractional units are rounded up.

a. Exception to Density Maximums. When affordable housing is proposed the provisions of BDC 2.1.600(D) may be applied.

1. The following table provides the numerical development standards:

Standards	RS & RM-10	RM	RH	Mixed-Use and Commercial Districts Zoning Districts
Minimum lot area	4,000 square feet for the first four micro-units plus 1,000 square feet per additional micro-unit	2,500 square feet for the first four micro-units plus 625 square feet per additional micro-unit	No minimum	No minimum
Minimum lot width at the front property line	40 ft.	30 ft.	30 ft.	No minimum
Corner lots or parcels must be at least five feet more in width than the minimum lot width required
Minimum lot depth	50 ft.	50 ft.	50 ft.	No minimum
Maximum lot coverage	50% for lots or parcels with single-story structures. 45% for all other lots or parcels.	60%	none	none

1. Minimum Floor Area: 150 square feet.

2. Maximum Floor Area: 400 square feet, exclusive of lofts.

a. Exception. Accessible units designed to meet the accessible requirements of the current Oregon Building Code may be 450 square feet, exclusive of lofts.

1. Each micro-unit must contain the following:

a. An area that includes the following at a minimum:

i. Under-the-counter refrigerator with a dedicated outlet;

ii. Contiguous countertop work area of not less than four square feet; and

iii. Twenty-amp small appliance branch circuit located above the countertop work area.

b. A bathroom that contains a toilet and a shower and/or bathtub.

c. A sink. For the purposes of a micro-unit, the sink may be larger than 18 inches by 18 inches and will not be considered a kitchen.

a. A kitchen is not allowed, except the sink required in subsection (E)(1)(c) of this section may be larger than 18 inches by 18 inches.

1. One common kitchen must be provided for every 10 micro-units or portion thereof. For purposes of this section, a common kitchen must include a sink larger than 18 inches by 18 inches, a refrigerator, and a stove, range top, or oven and be a minimum of 120 square feet in area.

2. One common laundry facility must be provided for every 10 micro-units or portion thereof.

G. Private and Common Space: The micro-unit development must contain private and/or common space consistent with the following:

1. Private and common space may be satisfied by a selection or combination of the following:

a. Private space: balconies, courtyards, decks/rooftop decks, gardens and patios.

b. Common space: atriums, balconies, courtyards, decks/rooftop decks, gardens, patios, playgrounds/tot lots, swimming pools, gyms/exercise rooms, living rooms and dining rooms.

c. Bathrooms, laundry facilities, storage (including bicycle storage), hallways, the main lobby, and kitchens do not count as private or common space.

2. Private space must be provided with a minimum dimension of five feet on any side and common space must be provided with a minimum dimension of 10 feet on any side.

3. The applicant must provide private or common space, or a combination thereof, consistent with the following:

a. RS, RM and RH: minimum 10 square feet of private space or 20 square feet of common space per micro-unit.

H. Design Standards. Micro-units are subject to the following standards. These standards are in addition to the regulations of BDC Chapter 4.2, Minimum Development Standards Review, Site Plan Review and Design Review, but replace the design standards of the underlying zoning district.

a. The maximum combined garage door width facing the street is 50 percent of the total building width.

b. In addition to complying with the front setbacks for the respective zoning districts, the front of the garage or carport can be no closer to the front lot line than the longest street-facing wall of the micro-unit development’s enclosed ground floor area, except that:

i. If there is a covered front porch, the garage or carport can extend up to five feet in front of the enclosed ground floor area, but no further than the front of the porch.

ii. A garage or carport may extend up to 10 feet in front of the enclosed ground floor area if there is enclosed floor area or a covered balcony above at least a portion of the garage or carport.

i. Existing garages legally constructed prior to November 20, 2020.

ii. When the side or rear wall of the garage faces the street, provided the standards of BDC 2.1.300(F)(1)(a) are met.

a. At least one front door entrance of the micro-unit development must orientate to an abutting street or open to a porch covered by either a roof or enclosed floor area. A covered walkway or breezeway is not a porch. If the main entrance is from a covered porch, the covered porch must:

i. Meet a minimum area of 20 square feet;

ii. Meet a minimum depth of four feet; and

iii. Have an entry that faces a street.

For properties with more than one frontage, the applicant may choose which frontage to meet this standard.

i. Micro-unit developments created by remodeling an existing structure.

I. Off-Street Parking. In addition to BDC Chapter 3.3, Vehicle Parking, Loading and Bicycle Parking, the following apply:

1. There are no minimum parking requirements.

2. The maximum is one and one-half parking spaces per micro-unit.

3. Parking is prohibited between the street and the micro-unit development when more than three parking spaces are provided. When more than three parking spaces are provided, backing onto the street is not allowed.

J. Trash receptacles. Trash receptacles must not be located within setbacks for property lines shared with single-unit dwellings. Trash receptacles must be screened on at least three sides with an evergreen hedge or solid fence or wall of not less than six feet in height and must be located for easy access by trash pick-up vehicles.

K. Short-term rentals. The use of a micro-unit as a short-term rental is prohibited. [Ord. NS-2462, 2023; Ord. NS-2423, 2021; Ord. NS-2389, 2020]