Beaverton, OR Zoning Overlays & Bonuses: Downtown Design Guide (2026)
Key Facts
- Applies to
- Downtown Design District boundary only
- Review tracks
- Type 1, 2, 3
- Decision authority
- Director (Type 1-2), Planning Commission (Type 3)
- Governing section
- Development Code § 70.05.10
- Effective
- January 8, 2021
Summary
Any new construction, addition, or major renovation within Beaverton's mapped Downtown Design District must pass one of three Design Review tracks under Development Code Chapter 70 before city permits issue.
Applications for new development, additions and renovations in the Downtown Design District are subject to Design Review as described in the Section 40.23 of the Development Code. They shall meet all applicable requirements of the Downtown Design District standards and/or guidelines in CHAPTER 70 and all other applicable regulations contained in the Beaverton Development Code.
Development within the Downtown Design District has three tracks:
1. Type 1. Minor building and site modifications. The proposal must meet all applicable design standards. The Director is the decision-making authority for proposals following the Type 1 track. See Section 40.23.15.1.A for specific thresholds.
2. Type 2. Smaller new construction and building additions, and major site modifications: The proposal may meet up to three applicable discretionary design guidelines. All other applicable design standards must be met. Projects proposing to exceed the maximum height of the base zone through the provisions of Section 70.20.10.3 shall be automatically elevated to a Type 3 process. The Director is the decision-making authority for proposals following the Type 2 track. See Section 40.23.15.2.A for specific thresholds.
3. Type 3. Larger new construction and building additions, plus projects that respond to least four discretionary design
Full Breakdown
Beaverton's Downtown Design District overlays its own design-review layer on top of standard zoning within a mapped boundary in central Beaverton. Development Code § 70.05.10 sorts projects into three review tracks: Type 1 covers minor modifications that meet all design standards and is decided by the Director; Type 2 covers smaller new construction or major site work with up to three discretionary guidelines, also Director-level; Type 3 covers larger construction, four-plus discretionary guidelines, or height above the base zone, and goes to the Planning Commission. Section 70.05.05.5 bars any construction or new use within the district that isn't in conformity with Chapter 70.
Violations & Fines
New construction or use that doesn't conform to the Downtown Design District Code cannot legally proceed; the City withholds building permits until Design Review approval is granted under Development Code § 70.05.10.
Frequently Asked Questions
What triggers Downtown Design Review in Beaverton?
Does this apply outside downtown Beaverton?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Beaverton
Compare Beaverton to another location·View the Oregon zoning overlays & bonuses overview
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