Tigard, OR Zoning Overlays & Bonuses: Density Bonus Law (2026)

The rule sits in Tigard Municipal Code § 18.650.100.C, titled Adjustments to density and height, inside Chapter 18.650, the Tigard Downtown Plan District. It applies to development in the downtown district in the City of Tigard, not to Beaverton, Tualatin, King City or unincorporated Washington County.

The code defines "affordable" two ways. For rental housing, rent and utility costs must constitute no more than 30% of the gross annual household income for a family at 80% of the area median income, using the most recent HUD income limits for the Portland-Vancouver Metropolitan Statistical Area. For-sale housing uses the same 30% and 80% test, counting the mortgage, amortized interest, taxes, insurance, and any condominium or association fees.

To qualify, a development must meet the threshold for the bonus it requests. The height bonus is an additional 20 feet over the maximum height, and it is allowed for any development where a minimum of 20% of the dwelling units are affordable. The density bonus is allowed for any development based on the criteria in a density bonus table. The text points to Table 18.650.2, while the table printed at the end of the chapter is numbered Table 18.650.4, titled Density Bonuses. It pairs a share of affordable dwelling units, based on maximum density, with a density bonus, in steps of 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50%.

The second approval criterion is a condition: the approval must be conditioned on recording a deed restriction. That restriction prohibits the sale or rental of any affordable dwelling unit used to meet the standard, except as housing that meets the same affordability standard, for the life of the development. Requests for these bonuses are reviewed by Tigard Community Development as part of the land use application for the project.