Definitions for ORS 308.450 to 308.481

As used in ORS 308.450 to 308.481: (1) “Distressed area” means a primarily residential area of a county or city that is designated as a distressed area by the county or city because the area is detrimental to the safety, health and welfare of the community due to the following factors: (a) Deterioration; (b) Inadequate or improper facilities; (c) The existence of unsafe or abandoned structures, including but not limited to a significant number of vacant or abandoned single or multifamily residential units; or (d) Any combination of these or similar factors. (2) “Governing body” means the city or county legislative body having jurisdiction over the property for which a limited assessment may be applied for under ORS 308.450 to 308.481. (3) “Rehabilitated residential property” means land and the improvements thereon: (a) That are either single or multifamily residential units or are not residential units but that will become residential units through rehabilitation improvements; (b) That fail to comply with one or more standards of the state or local building or housing codes applicable at the time the application is filed; (c)(A) That are not less than 25 years of age on January 1 in the year the application is filed with the governing body, and on which sums have been expended after September 13, 1975, and prior to January 1, 2017, for the purpose of making rehabilitation improvements, and which sums in the aggregate equal or exceed five percent of the assessed value of the land and improvements thereon as reflected in the last certified assessment roll next preceding the date on which the application for limited assessment is filed with the governing body pursuant to ORS 308.462; or (B) On which, regardless of the age of the residential property, sums have been expended or the renovation completed after October 3, 1989, and prior to January 1, 2017, for the purpose of making rehabilitation improvements, and which sums in the aggregate equal or exceed 50 percent of the assessed value of the land and improvements thereon as reflected in the last certified assessment roll next preceding the date on which the applications for limited assessment is filed with the governing body pursuant to ORS 308.462; (d) In which at least 50 percent of accommodations are for residential use and not for transient occupancy; (e) If owner-occupied, that are located within a distressed area; and (f) For which an application is filed with the governing body prior to January 1, 2015. (4) “Rehabilitation improvements” means modifications to existing structures that are made to achieve a condition of substantial compliance. (5) “Substantial compliance” means compliance with local building or housing code requirements. It does not mean that all heating, plumbing and electrical systems must be replaced with systems meeting current standards for new construction, notwithstanding that the cost of rehabilitation may exceed 50 percent of the value of the structure before rehabilitation.