In 1978 the city and county entered into an agreement for the Joint Management of the Bend Urban Area. This agreement sets up formal procedures to implement the Urban Growth Boundary and the Bend Comprehensive Plan consistent with state planning laws. A new management agreement was approved in 1998 that provides for the city to administer all planning and building codes within the Urban Growth Boundary.

This joint management agreement also sets forth responsibilities and procedures for changing the Comprehensive Plan, providing urban services, having consistent development codes and standards, and for reviewing and commenting on land use applications. It is reviewed and amended from time to time to reflect management changes within the urban area. The provisions of the Joint Management Agreement will be revisited with the adoption of the new urban growth boundary. The agreement is on file at the city and county planning offices.