About OPOA
Oregon's Planning System
Oregon is a difficult state for private property owners. Since 1973, Oregon has been the only state with a state-controlled system of planning and zoning laws and a state agency exclusively dedicated to enforcing those mandates.
Oregon property owners must navigate a complex maze of federal, state, regional, and local laws and regulations in order to make use of their property. From something as simple as building a family home on a rural property, to something as complex as developing a multi-story commercial high-rise in downtown Portland, almost no development is immune from the system.
Our Mission
Our mission at OPOA is to help property owners navigate this system so that they may realize their dreams and investment in their land. We help all property owners – from the eastern Oregon rancher with thousands of acres to the husband and wife with a single-family home in Portland. We may be working with a sophisticated developer on a large project in the morning, and a family trying to build a rural home in the afternoon. Most importantly, we do it all without charge.
How We Help Oregonians
Advising Property Owners On Their Rights
Oregon's land use laws are complex and not easily understood, even by experienced professionals. Many times, a property owner has a question that we can answer over the phone, email, or zoom call. Often the key to answering the question is simply knowing where to look, and we know where to look.
Representing Property Owners In Court
In some cases, the issue is so important to property owners statewide that we choose to represent the property owner ourselves. That may mean we’re representing you in a local land use application, or it may be that we’re arguing on your behalf in the Oregon Supreme Court. We’ve represented hundreds of Oregon property owners over the years, from large corporations to little old widows, and everyone in between. Our legal services are always free of charge.
Advocating At The Legislature
Sometimes our laws and regulations just don’t work very well, and the only solution is to change them. When that happens, OPOA works with state agencies and the Oregon legislature to change the law. Our list of successful legislation is long and significant, and we’ve worked closely with the legislature to make dozens of meaningful improvements to Oregon law.
Our Pledge
"As a non-profit corporation, when we choose to represent a property owner, we do so without charge. We’re not a private law firm or government relations outfit. We’re a non-profit staffed by lawyers dedicated to helping as many Oregon property owners as we can – at the legislature, in the courts, or through the media. We're passionate about what we do and we're here to help."