Public Works & Community Development Department

Building Codes Division

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

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

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.

Addressing Homelessness

After a year-long work effort and recommendation by a Council-appointed work group considering a variety of options to address Coos Bay homelessness and after two public hearings, the City Council has adopted a temporary lodging facility permitting process by which agencies, churches and other entities can provide temporary lodging (30 consecutive days and 90 days in a single calendar year) per Ordinance No. 515. Temporary lodging is envisioned as a short-term option for families and individuals transitioning to a long-term housing solution. City authorization of a temporary lodging facility would be subject to life/safety inspection and criteria/standards to assure safety of lodging guests and compatibility with the surrounding area. A facility would be limited to areas beyond 500’ of another temporary lodging facility, school, child care center or park. Notification of pending applications would be required for property owners within a 500’ radius of a proposed facility for public comment prior to a City decision on the facility. Questions? Contact Carolyn Johnson, Community Development Administrator at cjohnson@coosbay.org or 541-269-1181 ex 2287.

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

Transportation Systems Plan - The Coos Bay Transportation Systems Plan (TSP) is a guide for the City's long-term transportation network investments for vehicle, bicycle, pedestrian, transit, air, water, and rail travel. Work has been underway to update the City's 2004 TSP. As the City Council anticipates future City transportation needs, a draft 2020 TSP document has been prepared with goals and projects envisioning travel in and around our community. The draft 2020 TSP is now ready for public review.

On Tuesday, July 21 at 7:00 PM in the City Hall Council Chambers at 500 Central Avenue, the City Council and Planning Commission will hold a joint meeting. Limited pubic attendance is available due to required social distancing and face masks will be provided. This meeting will also be live streamed on the City's Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/cityofcoosbayOR/. The public is asked to participate in the draft 2020 TSP discussion. Public comments can also be submitted in advance to publiccomment@coosbay.org. Amendments to Coos Bay Municipal Code Chapters 17 and 18 to implement the TSP will also be reviewed.

The draft TSP volume 1 is here. The draft TSP volume 2 can be found here. The draft of amendments to the Coos Bay Municipal code related to the TSP draft can be found here. The Tuesday July 21, 2020 staff report and all related documents will be posted at the https://coosbay.org/government/search_agendas-minutes on Friday, July 17, 2020. Prior to the public hearing, comments for Council consideration and inquiries may be addressed to Carolyn Johnson, Community Development Administrator by calling 541-269-8924; emailing cjohnson@coosbay.org; or by USPS letter delivery to the Community Development Department, City Hall, 500 Central Ave, Coos Bay. The City Council's final decision on the project may be appealed to the Land Use Board of Appeals pursuant to ORS 197.830.

Title 17/Land use regulation amendments.  Questions? Contact Carolyn Johnson at 541-269-8924 or cjohnson@coosbay.org. The bulk of these amendments are still under review by the Planning Commission.

DEVELOPMENT APPLICATIONS

Jordan Cove Project - The City Council has approved the Jordan Cove Energy Project L.P. for a Comprehensive Plan Map Amendment to the Coos Bay Estuary Management Plan to 1) change the designation of approximately 3.3 acres from 52-NA to DDNC-DA; 2) change text in the Comprehensive Plan to take a reasons exception to statewide planning goal 16 to authorize the proposed map amendment; 3) an Estuarine and Coastal Shoreline Uses and Activities Permit for "New and Maintainence Dredging" in the DDNC-DA Estuarine Zone; and 4) an Estuarine and Coastal Shoreline Uses and Activities Permit to allow an accessory temporary dredge transport pipeline in the 52-NA, 53-CA, 54-DA, and 55-CA Estuarine Zones.

Hollering Place – The Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw (CTCLUSI) has submitted a land use application for development of a cultural center at the upper level of the Hollering Place on the corner of Newmark and Empire. The application can be found here. The project is described at https://ctclusi.org/hollering-place. City background on the Hollering Place can be found here. 

Timber Cove - Manufactured Home Park - A land use application has been received for an approximately 450 space manufactured home park over 73 acres of multi-family zoned property with access from Lindy Lane.  The Pre-application notes can be found here. The application can be found here.  The July 14, 2020 Planning Commission staff report can be found here.  The Planning Commission approved the project and the Final Order reflecting the Planning Commission action can be found here. The property is generally located south of Ocean Blvd and is adjacent to the new Fed-Ex complex and Cascade Farm store to the east, Shore Pines Manufactured Home Park to the west, and Coos Bay North Bend Water Board property to the south. Questions? Contact Carolyn Johnson, Community Development Administrator at 541-269-8924.

FREQUENT LAND USE INQUIRIES

Accessory Dwellings - The City provides a process for securing authorization for an accessory dwelling unit. An accessory dwelling unit is an interior, attached or detached residential structure in a single-family residential neighborhood. An application for an accessory dwelling unit begins in the Planning Division, and a building permit is also necessary. This brochure provides additional information.   

Comprehensive Plan

Volume 1;  Volume 2;  Volume 3 - Estuary Management Plan,  Coos Bay Estuary Management Plan Map,  Comprehensive Plan Map

Development Code

Development Code, Title 17 of the Coos Bay Municipal Code

Zoning Map

Applications

Land Use Development Review Pre-Application

Land Use Development Review Application

Planning Fees

Design Standards

Empire Waterfront Settlement Design Standards

REGIONAL INFORMATION

2018 Coos County Housing Analysis and Action Plan

Economic Development

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.