Improving Our Community
The goal of the Public Works & Community Development Department is to work with the community in achieving and maintaining a better quality of life by providing professional guidance and coordination of all land planning and development activities, and by fairly and consistently implementing the City's regulations and policies.
The Public Works & Community Development Department includes Building Codes, Codes Enforcement, Planning, and Economic Development divisions.
Get To Know
Helpful Links
-
×
South Coast Development Council (SCDC)
SCDC is an economic development leader and has a goal of maintaining and improving the economic viability of the Southern Oregon Coast. SCDC works closely with groups, both local and state organizations, that offer business assistance. They offer business retention and business recruitment, workforce training, financial support, loans, grants and business seminars.
-
×
South Coast Business Employment Corporation (SCBEC)
SCBEC is a private, non‐profit organization providing employee screening, recruitment, customized training programs and a wide range of related services. SCBEC also offers training wage subsidies to qualifying employers.
-
×
Coos Bay Municipal Codes
The Coos Bay Municipal Codes are available online.
FAQs
-
Q:
× Who is responsible for obtaining permits?
The property owner is responsible for obtaining all permits for structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and manufactured dwelling setup. A contractor or family member can apply for permits on the property owner's behalf, but the permit is ultimately the property owner's responsibility.
All electrical and plumbing permits are issued by the Oregon State Building Codes Division (BCD). The BCD Coos Bay Field Office is located at 1155 S 5th St., Coos Bay, OR 97420. Contact the BCD Coos Bay Field Office at 541-266-1098.
-
Q:
× Who can I call if I have questions or comments about a land use project?
You can always contact the Planning Division office at 541-269-8918 to get information about a land use or planning project. If you received a mailed notice of a pending land use hearing, the project planner’s name and direct contact information will appear on the notice.
-
Q:
× When does my permit expire?
Building permits expire if there are no inspections for 180 days. The best way to keep your permit from expiring is to make progress and have regular inspections as you work. If you can't work within a 180-day period and don't wish to abandon the project, you may submit a written request to the Community Development Department to extend your permit for an additional 180 days.
Building Codes Division
Ensuring the safety and structural integrity of buildings and other structures.
Building permits ensure that construction meets minimum building standards to ensure safe workmanship. You need a permit if you’re making structural, plumbing, mechanical, or electrical changes to an existing building or if you're building something new. Permits are also required for any work in the right of way (ROW), demolition, sewer connections and repairs, curb cuts, site development, and signs.
Additional information and applications. To reach the City's Building Codes Division, call 541-269-8918 or email permits@coosbay.org
All electrical and plumbing permits are processed and issued by the Oregon State Building Codes Division (BCD). The Coos County BCD office is located in Coos Bay City Hall, phone is 541-266-1098, fax is 541-266-1146.
Codes Enforcement Division
Fostering a healthy and attractive community
The Codes Enforcement Divsion is dedicated to working in cooperation with city officials, property owners and citizens to preserve the beauty and value of property and lands as well as promoting the safety, health and general well-being of all citizens and visitors to our city. Codes Enforcement provides information to the general public and to individuals affiliated with specific development projects. We investigate complaints and enforce compliance in the areas of nuisance standards, including:
- Accumulation of junk
- Animal permits
- Dismantled and junk vehicles
- Encroaching vegetation
- Personal storage on a public right-of-way
- Shrubbery and vision obstructions
- Signs
- Substandard dwellings
- Unauthorized dumping of garbage
- Zoning
We rely primarily on requirements from the City's Municipal Code, which is available online. Public health and safety are priorities as we work to gain compliance with existing code and administrative rules. We aim to provide exceptional customer service by emphasizing a cooperative, problem-solving approach with professionalism and respect.
Through education and enforcement, we work with community members to:
- Maintain and improve community livability
- Support healthy neighborhoods
- Enhance community beautification
- Protect natural resources
- Ensure compliance with state and local codes, policies and goals
To report a concern, please call the Codes Enforcement Officer at 541-269-1181 extension 2267 or email codes@coosbay.org
Planning Division
Assisting the community with land use and development
The Planning Division provides a range of responsive services for the citizens of Coos Bay and the development community for matters pertaining to land development and community planning. We are the primary source for public information on development in the City. Although not all development activity necessarily requires direct involvement with the planning staff and support services, we can usually guide inquiries and questions to the right person or entity. To reach the Planning Divison, call 541-269-8918 or email permits@coosbay.org
We implement the City’s Comprehensive Plan and Development Code. The Comprehensive Plan identifies the community's land use vision. The Development Code implements the community vision by identifying the regulatory side of land use and development activity. For example, we give information on where to build or add on to structures to ensure compliance with zoning, property setbacks, lot coverage, parking, and other regulations. This helps the City develop in a coordinated and organized manner that benefits not only individual property owners but adds to our community’s vitality. The Development Code is available online as Title 17 of the Coos Bay Municipal Code.
The Planning Division is responsible for project management on land use applications that propose new or modified development in the City. This includes conducting pre-application conferences, the in-take of proposed development applications, providing public notification and information on proposed development projects, reviewing projects for compliance with the adopted Development Code, making decisions or recommendations on those projects (depending on their level of review), and scheduling and conducting public hearings. Ultimately, our purpose is to guide each project through the approval process in a timely manner when all development requirements are satisfied.
The City of Coos Bay is also a participating community in the National Flood Insurance Program since areas within the City have been subject to periodic flooding. We have adopted land use control measures to reduce flood hazards and assure that city residents will continue to benefit from the national program.
sPECIAL PROJECTS
Programs and Projects of city-wide significance and value can be found here.
notable projects
When the City receives large or unusual land development or land use law amendment applications, we strive to share this information with the public. Below is information on the following upcoming project applications:
LONG RANGE PLANNING
The City has undertaken a long-range planning effort to prepare baseline assumptions required by House Bill 2003 (2019) for a Housing Needs Capacity Analysis (HCA) 2 and Housing Production Strategy (HPS). Additionally, consistent with HB 2001, work has begun to expand the City's legislative options to enhance housing development options to create shelter opportunities for Coos Bay residents of all income. A Housing Advisory Committee has met twice to provide feedback on the initial stages of this work. You may review the information from these meetings at Housing Advisory Committee meeting #1 and Housing Advisory Committee meeting #2.
The data foundation of the City's efforts is the 2020 Coos Bay Housing Needs Assessment. Funding for this work has been committed by the City and matched by the Oregon Department of Land, Conservation and Development. With consultant support by 3J and the Lane Council of Governments, the following is underway:
- Creation of a Housing pre-production strategy to identify appropriate incentives to develop needed housing in Coos Bay. The HPPS process and outcomes are intended to identify, analyze, and recommend housing development incentives as well as legislative, regulatory, and policy options for the expansion of housing opportunities for households of all income levels.
- Amend Coos Bay Comprehensive Plan policies related to the City's housing goals and policies.
- Update the Coos Bay Development Code to provide consistency with the Comprehensive Plan and include legislative incentives identified in the Housing pre-production strategy for the development of new housing.
The planning Commission and City Council will hold a joint public meeting on Tuesday, March 9, 2021 at 6:00 PM in the Coos Bay City Hall Council Chambers at 500 Central Ave. All members of the public are welcome to participate. Physical attendance is limited due to social distancing guidelines required by the State of Oregon Covid mandates. However, the meeting will be live streamed on the City's YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-w12ikBNWVkoVWVqJ0bk2g. A staff report and material for public review will be available on Tuesday, March 2, 2021 at http://coosbay.org/government/search_agendas-minutes. The City welcomes your comments via email to cjohnson@coosbay.org and letters via USPS to City of Coos Bay, 500 Central Ave, Coos Bay Oregon 97420 Attention: Carolyn Johnson, Community Development Administrator.
Questions? Please give Carolyn Johnson, Community Development Administrator a call at 541-269-8924.
DEVELOPMENT APPLICATIONS
New applications will be posted in December, 2020. Questions? Contact Debbie Erler at 541-269-1811 ex. 2259 or derler@coosbay.org.
FREQUENT LAND USE INQUIRIES
Accessory Dwellings - The City provides a process for securing authorization for an Accessory Dwelling Unit, commonly referred to as an ADU. An ADU is an interior, attached, or detached residential structure in a single-family residential neighborhood. An application for an ADU begins in the Planning Division, and a building permit is also necessary. This printable brochure provides additional information.
RVs and/or Tiny Homes on wheels (less than 400 square feet) - RVs and Tiny Homes (on wheels and less than 400 square feet) are only allowed in RV or mobile home parks, as shown on this map and contact information list.
Comprehensive Plan
Volume 1; Volume 2; Volume 3 - Estuary Management Plan, Coos Bay Estuary Management Plan Map, Comprehensive Plan Map, 2020 Transportation System Plan Volume 1, 2020 Transportation System Plan Volume 2
Development Code
Development Code, Title 17 of the Coos Bay Municipal Code
PLANNING Applications
Accessory Structure Application
Business License Home Occupation Application
Facade Improvement Grant Program Pre-Application
Land Use Development Review Pre-Application
Design Standards
Empire Waterfront Settlement Design Standards
CITY DATA AND REGIONAL INFORMATION
2020 Coos Bay Housing Needs Analysis
2018 Coos County Housing Analysis and Action Plan
Economic Development
Partners with other public and private entities to expand and diversify our local economy
Economic Development promotes and revitalizes the Downtown and Empire Urban Renewal Districts by coordinating with the city’s economic development partners to attract, retain, and promote expansion of local business opportunities, managing the façade improvement grant program, and coordinating urban renewal projects.
The goal of economic development is to create a downtown that is a quality of life asset for the entire community, bringing unique spaces, recreation, excitement, history, social opportunities and cultural resources to all residents and visitors.
Economic Development includes programs for Urban Renewal, Façade Improvement, and specific development and re-development projects. A Request for Development Proposals to city property at 150 S 4th Street is available, the deadline to submit is 5 PM on Friday, February 19, 2021. Questions? Contact Carolyn Johnson at 541-269-8924 or cjohnson@coosbay.org.