Deschutes County seeks community feedback on proposed wildfire regulations

Deschutes County is considering new building codes and land use regulations to protect communities from wildfire.  Proposed changes could help make homes more fire-resistant and require homeowners to create defensible space around their homes.

Updating local building codes to make homes more fire-resistant could make new construction and some remodels more expensive because of new requirements for decks, siding, vents and other materials.

The proposed rules would only apply to homes outside of city limits in unincorporated areas of Deschutes County.

Deschutes County Community Development Department invites residents to learn more about the proposed changes and provide their feedback through an online survey: www.deschutes.org/wildfiremitigationsurvey.

The Deschutes County Planning Commission will host two virtual meetings to provide residents a chance to learn more about the proposed changes and ask questions. Meetings will be held on:

• Thursday, November 19, at 6 p.m.
• Thursday, December 3, at 6 p.m.

Staff will share the results of the community’s feedback to the Board of County Commissioners in early 2021.

For more information on how to participate in the virtual community meetings, please visit www.deschutes.org/wildfiremitigation.  For questions, or more information, please contact Peter Gutowsky, Planning Manager, 541-385-1709, peter.gutowsky@deschutes.org; or Tanya Saltzman, Associate Planner, 541-388-6528, Tanya.Saltzman@deschutes.org.

Please visit www.deschutes.org/wildfiremitigation  for current project information, and to sign up for project updates.