Agriculture is one of the state's biggest industries. Farming and ranching are important sectors of Oregon's agricultural industry, and they are critical drivers of the state's economy. Statewide Planning Goal 3: Agricultural Lands protects farmland for continued production of food and fiber.
Goal 3 requires counties to identify farmland, designate it as such in their comprehensive plans, and zone the land accordingly. An exclusive farm use (EFU) zone restricts developments that are unrelated to agriculture in order to minimize uses that conflict with farming. Property owners who keep EFU land in agricultural production benefit by receiving lowered property taxes.
County comprehensive plan policies strive to minimize conversion of farmland to other uses. Goal 3 has many implementing administrative rules and related case-law, and it can be complicated to interpret. Contact DLCD for questions about Goal 3.
Original Adoption: 12/27/74; Effective: 1/25/75
Amended: 12/16/83; Effective: 12/30/83
Amended: 2/17/88; Effective: 3/31/88
Amended: 8/7/92; Effective: 8/7/93
Amended: 2/18/94; Effective: 3/1/94
Read full text version of Goal 3.
Administrative Rules that implement Goal 3:
OAR 660-033 – Agricultural Land
OAR 660-033, Exhibit A – Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions Form
OAR 660-033, Exhibit B – Declaration of Restrictive Covenant for Youth Camps
OAR 660-033-0120 Table – Uses Authorized on Agricultural Land
OAR 660-031 – State Permit Compliance and Compatibility
Related:
Farmland Protection
Rural Planning and Development
DLCD Farm & Forest Reports
DLCD Soils Assessment
Non-Resource Lands