Homesteading in Oregon
Explore 36 counties and state-level regulations for homesteaders in Oregon.
Oregon uses a Prior Appropriation water rights system , enforces statewide IRC building codes , and requires a carry permit. The effective property tax rate is 0.87%.
State Regulations
Water Rights
System: Prior Appropriation
Prior appropriation doctrine. All surface and groundwater use requires a water right from the Water Resources Department, with limited exceptions for domestic use.
Statute: Or. Rev. Stat. § 537.010 et seq.
Building Codes
Statewide IRC: Yes (statewide)
Oregon Residential Specialty Code applies statewide, based on IRC with state amendments. Administered by Building Codes Division.
Statute: Or. Rev. Stat. § 455.010 et seq.
Gun Laws
Open Carry: Yes
Constitutional Carry: No
Concealed carry requires a concealed handgun license. Open carry generally legal but some local restrictions on loaded carry in public buildings. Measure 114 (2022) provisions subject to ongoing litigation.
Statute: Or. Rev. Stat. § 166.250; Or. Rev. Stat. § 166.291
Right to Farm
Protected: Yes
Protects farming practices from being declared a nuisance if conducted in conformance with accepted farming practices and applicable laws. Strong land use protections for farmland.
Statute: Or. Rev. Stat. § 30.930 et seq.
Counties in Oregon
36 counties · Click column headers to sort
| County | Population | Median Home | Property Tax | Growing Days | Overall Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baker County | 16,685 | $231,100 | $2,055 | 69 | Relatively Low |
| Benton County | 95,615 | $442,300 | $4,539 | 69 | Relatively Moderate |
| Clackamas County | 420,925 | $532,200 | $4,866 | 67 | Relatively High |
| Clatsop County | 41,190 | $407,700 | $2,973 | 64 | Relatively High |
| Columbia County | 52,865 | $365,100 | $2,829 | 64 | Relatively Low |
| Coos County | 64,908 | $276,300 | $2,103 | 74 | Relatively Moderate |
| Crook County | 24,987 | $368,200 | $2,626 | 71 | Very Low |
| Curry County | 23,404 | $353,200 | $1,937 | 77 | Relatively Moderate |
| Deschutes County | 199,352 | $526,200 | $3,533 | 71 | Relatively Moderate |
| Douglas County | 111,322 | $262,400 | $1,791 | 74 | Relatively Moderate |
| Gilliam County | 1,983 | $151,500 | $1,415 | 66 | Very Low |
| Grant County | 7,237 | $185,500 | $1,662 | 69 | Very Low |
| Harney County | 7,496 | $174,100 | $1,838 | 74 | Very Low |
| Hood River County | 23,965 | $492,500 | $3,183 | 66 | Very Low |
| Jackson County | 222,604 | $369,500 | $2,958 | 77 | Relatively Moderate |
| Jefferson County | 24,659 | $307,200 | $2,486 | 69 | Very Low |
| Josephine County | 87,994 | $353,800 | $1,933 | 77 | Relatively Moderate |
| Klamath County | 69,506 | $234,200 | $1,613 | 76 | Relatively Low |
| Lake County | 8,201 | $169,000 | $1,371 | 76 | Very Low |
| Lane County | 382,218 | $363,800 | $3,248 | 71 | Relatively High |
| Lincoln County | 50,334 | $345,300 | $3,077 | 69 | Relatively Moderate |
| Linn County | 128,598 | $319,800 | $3,062 | 69 | Relatively Moderate |
| Malheur County | 31,538 | $187,500 | $1,669 | 74 | Very Low |
| Marion County | 345,815 | $352,500 | $3,211 | 68 | Relatively High |
| Morrow County | 12,140 | $213,900 | $1,803 | 66 | Very Low |
| Multnomah County | 808,098 | $492,100 | $4,853 | 65 | Relatively High |
| Polk County | 87,600 | $382,200 | $3,321 | 68 | Relatively Low |
| Sherman County | 1,900 | $186,300 | $1,442 | 66 | Very Low |
| Tillamook County | 27,345 | $363,100 | $2,308 | 66 | Relatively Moderate |
| Umatilla County | 79,904 | $236,800 | $2,403 | 65 | Relatively Moderate |
| Union County | 26,286 | $243,400 | $2,021 | 66 | Relatively Low |
| Wallowa County | 7,439 | $336,900 | $2,131 | 65 | Very Low |
| Wasco County | 26,639 | $298,200 | $2,763 | 67 | Relatively Low |
| Washington County | 599,541 | $504,300 | $4,685 | 65 | Relatively High |
| Wheeler County | 1,407 | $194,900 | $1,649 | 68 | Very Low |
| Yamhill County | 107,674 | $408,500 | $3,293 | 67 | Relatively Moderate |
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