Gresham's Environmental Rules: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles environmental rules a little differently. In Gresham, Oregon, there are 5 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Flood Zones

Any development within Gresham's Floodplain Overlay District needs a floodplain development permit from the Community Development Manager, reviewed under a Type II procedure: a standard building permit alone does not satisfy this separate requirement.

Key details: Permit required: Floodplain development permit. Review type: Type II procedure (most cases). Enforcing official: The Manager (Development Services). Building permit: Separate from floodplain permit. Governing section: Dev. Code § 5.0104.

Developing in the Floodplain Overlay District without an approved floodplain development permit is a code violation; the Manager can deny, condition, or require correction of unpermitted work under the Development Code's enforcement provisions.

Erosion Control

Gresham requires approved grading and drainage plans, Building Code Appendix J compliance, and a stormwater report before construction on any development adding 1,000 square feet or more of impervious surface.

Key details: Impervious trigger: 1,000+ sq ft impervious surface. Grading standard: Building Code Appendix J applies. Large sites: 1200-C DEQ permit over 1 acre. Fallback option: In-lieu fees fund city retrofits. Approval required: Stormwater report approved before construction.

Grading and drainage work that skips required plan approval or erosion controls can be halted mid-construction; the City may order additional erosion and sediment measures until the site is stabilized, with code enforcement following for uncorrected violations.

Boat Dock Permits

Gresham requires a separate building permit before anyone builds, alters, moves or removes a dock, moorage, marina or other floating structure on city waters.

Key details: Permit needed for: Docks, moorages, piers, marinas. Issued by: Building official. Applies to: New work, alterations, moves. Fire inspections: Fire Marshal (existing moorages).

Working without the required permit is unlawful under GRC 10.60.040(2)(a); the building official may pursue remedies for noncompliance as otherwise limited by law, in addition to requiring the permit before work continues.

Flood Elevation Requirements

New and substantially improved homes in Gresham's Floodplain Overlay District must have their lowest floor built at least one foot above the base flood elevation, the city's mandatory freeboard standard.

Key details: Freeboard required: 1 foot above base flood elevation. Applies to: New and substantially improved structures. Flood vent size: 1 sq in per sq ft. Vent height limit: No higher than 1 ft above grade. Governing section: Dev. Code § 5.0120(E)(1).

Building below the required base-flood-elevation-plus-one-foot mark, or leaving enclosed lower areas without compliant flood vents, is a Development Code violation the Manager can catch at permit review or through a stop-work order.

Stormwater Management

Gresham owns and operates its public stormwater system as a city utility funded by recurring user charges, and requires property owners who alter runoff to build and maintain private stormwater facilities.

Key details: System type: City-owned public utility. Funding: Recurring stormwater user charge. Credit available: For facilities that cut runoff. New development: Must build private facilities. Enforcement: Nuisance abatement under GRC 7.

Failing to maintain required private stormwater facilities violates GRC 3.20.055 and can be abated as a nuisance under GRC Chapter 7; unpaid stormwater user charges become a lien on the property under GRC 3.60.

The Bottom Line

Gresham's environmental rules rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Gresham is broadly strict or permissive.

These rules come from Gresham's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.