Land — Pacific Northwest — OR
Water rights, rainwater law, cottage food rules, right-to-farm protections, livestock zoning, and growing conditions for Oregon landowners and buyers.
Land law varies by county, municipality, and HOA. Verify all information with your county planning department, state water agency, and a licensed attorney before any land purchase or development decision.
Water law
Pure prior appropriation. Oregon Water Resources Department (oregon.gov/owrd). All surface water owned by state. Domestic wells up to 15,000 gallons/day exempt. All other use requires a water right.
Legal with some limitations. ORS §537.141 permits residential collection from rooftop surfaces for beneficial use on the property. Large cistern systems may require a water right.
Land use and production law
Oregon Cottage Food Law (ORS §616.695): $50,000 gross annual cap; direct consumer, farmers markets, and online sales; label required. Verify with Oregon Department of Agriculture.
Oregon Right to Farm Act (ORS §30.930) protects established agricultural operations.
EFU (Exclusive Farm Use) zoning is among the strongest farmland protection systems in the country. Urban Growth Boundaries enclose developed areas where livestock typically restricted.
Growing conditions
Hardiness zones
4a (eastern Oregon high desert) – 9b (southern coast)
Last frost
Jun 15 (eastern/central high desert) – Mar 1 (Willamette Valley coast)
First frost
Sep 1 (eastern plateau) – Dec 1 (coast)
Free soil testing
Oregon State University Extension Service — click to visit
Soil notes
Willamette Valley has deep, productive silt loam soils. Eastern Oregon high desert soils are thin, dry Aridisols. Coastal soils are often acidic and wet. Most western Oregon soils are acidic; eastern more alkaline.