Goal 3: Agricultural Lands

Agriculture has had a big influence in Oregon, as farming is what attracted many of Oregon's first settlers. Agriculture continues to be a major employer in the state. Goal 3 protects farmland for continued production of food and fiber.

Goal 3 requires counties to identify farmland, designate it as such on the comprehensive plan map, and zone it exclusive farm use (EFU). An EFU zone places restrictions on 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.

Goal 3 has perhaps the most involved of all land use rule divisions in the Oregon Administrative Rules. 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:

Farm & Forest Protection
Rural Planning and Development
DLCD Farm & Forest Reports
NRCS Soils Data
DLCD Soils Assessment
Natural Resource Protection
Non-Resource Lands
Measure 49
Oregon Department of Agriculture