Josephine County, OR Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)

040(B)(1) sets the riparian corridor setback at 50 feet for Class 1 streams and 25 feet for Class 2 streams, using stream classifications maintained by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Within that setback, subsection (B)(2) generally prohibits development by fill, excavation, structure placement, impervious surfaces, or removal of vegetation, except for ten listed activities in subsections (a) through (j); item (j) is removal of nonnative vegetation when replaced with native plant species, so that swap does not require the broader exception showing needed for other riparian work.

Other listed exceptions cover streets and paths, drainage and irrigation facilities, water-dependent uses like boat ramps and docks, in-place replacement of existing structures, riparian habitat reclamation, fish passage improvements, permitted forest practices, and ongoing vegetation trimming and maintenance. 030 and must meet the exception standards in (B)(3): the project must equally or better protect the riparian area through restoration, buffering or enhancement, must not disturb more than 50 percent of the corridor's width, and may render an otherwise unbuildable lot buildable. 030.