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
Carolyn Johnson
Helpful Links
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Oregon International Port of Coos Bay
The Port of Coos Bay is Oregon’s largest deep-draft port and is the trade and commercial center of the Oregon Southern Coast. The Port operates the Charleston Marina, North Spit Barge Slip, and owns the rail line between Coos Bay and Eugene.
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Oregon Employment Department
The Employment Department acts as the connection point for employees and employers, provides regional and statewide labor market statistics, and Oregon unemployment insurance administrators.
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Coos Bay Municipal Codes
The Coos Bay Municipal Codes are available online.
FAQs
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× What are my property setbacks?
Setbacks for buildings and structures are determined by the zoning district in which development is occurring, the type of structure, and the number of floors. The City of Coos Bay Municipal Code, Chapter 17.150, outlines the requirements for yards and setbacks. General requirements for yards is 10 feet for street frontage and 5 feet from the property line for the interior side and rear. Side and rear yards must also have an additional foot for each story or part story above the first story of any building. There are additional requirements for vision clearance and vehicular access, and exceptions for accessory buildings and specific lots.
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× Are property boundary lines shown on GIS maps accurate?
The property boundary lines shown on GIS maps are within a few feet of the actual boundary, but are not exactly accurate due to the nature of GIS. GIS is intended to be a graphical representation only and by no means an official survey or legal interpretation thereof. The City of Coos Bay provides this data in good faith and makes no warranties, guarantees or representations of any kind, either expressed or implied, as to the content, accuracy, completeness or reliability of this data.
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× What is required to operate a business out of my home?
If you are running a business from your home and your home is located within the city limits, you will need a Home Occupation permit and a Business License. If your home is not within the city limits, you just need a standard Business License. Download and complete both sides of the Home Occupation Permit Application (which is also a Business License application), then submit it to the Public Works and Community Development Department. If you do not own the home, you will need written permission from the property owner to conduct your business from the premises. The application will be reviewed by our staff to make sure that the proposed business fits the requirements for a Home Occupation and does not infringe upon the rights of other residents or alter the residential character of the area.
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.
The Front Street Blueprint identifies strategies for vehicle and pedestrian circulation improvements for wayfinding, streetscape, public art, expansion of the City's boardwalk concept, and connectivity options to the Coos History Musuem, Coos Bay Village, and the downtown core. The Blueprint was developed as a result of community engagement and supports the City Council's economic development vision for Coos Bay.
As shown below, Front Street is an extension of downtown Coos Bay with a direct connection to the bayfront.
Located across Highway 101, pedestrian, bicycle, and vehicle access are available to the downtown commercial core and visitor amenities. Front Street is well positioned to provided recreational, dining, and retail opportunities for visitors and residents while maintaining its industrial heritage and utility for water-dependent businesses. Questions can be directed to a planner at the Community Development/Public Works Department at 541-269-1181.
Learn more at:
www.coosbayfrontstreetblueprint.org
DEVELOPMENT APPLICATIONS
Contact Debbie Erler at 541-269-1181 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.
Locating Parcels for Development - Vacant and partially vacant parcels can be found on this Adequate Sites Inventory Map. Clicking the layers list at the top of the map enables viewing of infill, re-developable, and unbuildable parcels along with the parcel's zoning designation. The map also includes links to each of the City's zoning districts where specific land uses are identified that can be considered on these properties.
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
Estuary Management Plan Web Map
Development Code
Development Code, Title 17 of the Coos Bay Municipal Code
PLANNING Applications
Accessory Structure Application
Business License Home Occupation Application
Land Use Development Review Pre-Application
URA Improvement Grant Pre-Application
Tourist Habitation (Homestay) Supplemental Application
Tourist Habitation (Vacation Rental) Supplemental 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.