Eugene, OR Zoning Overlays & Bonuses: Downtown Design Guide (2026)

Eugene's Downtown Riverfront Special Area Zone (S-DR) is a form-based zone covering the S-DR/MU mixed-use subdistrict and the S-DR/CL cultural landscape and open space subdistrict along the Willamette River. 8110. 3190(2), the planning director must approve, conditionally approve, or deny each Design Review application against defined criteria. 3130(2): creating an active, vibrant, accessible "people place," providing setbacks that deepen where habitat is sensitive, addressing environmental concerns in site and building design, and building an integrated network of open space and cultural landscape. 3182(3), the applicant must show the alternative achieves equivalent or higher design quality through building orientation, massing, articulation and facade that contributes positively to the surrounding urban environment, and through a site and building design that creates a safe, attractive pedestrian environment using features such as pedestrian-scaled lighting, prominent street-facing entries and clear, untinted glass.

3185(4) for the Cultural Landscape and Open Space subdistrict must instead show public green space, interpretive sites, public art or historic-structure interpretation, plus habitat enhancement that supports ecological education. 3155(3) or shrinking the minimum dimensions that figure requires. The Eugene Code is current through Ordinance No. 20739, passed June 8, 2026.