ORS 374.311
Permit standards

  • rules

The objective standards for spacing, channelization and sight distance for decisions to approve, modify or deny an approach permit are as follows:

(1)

When making a decision to approve or deny an application for an approach permit under ORS 374.312 (Rules regarding permits for approach roads), the Department of Transportation shall apply, as one of the standards, the standards in Table 1 for spacing between approaches on highway segments where the annual average daily traffic is 5,000 or fewer motor vehicles:

Regional
Highways Statewide
District Highways
Highways Statewide Statewide Unincorporated
Rural and Highways Highways Communities
Speed Urban Rural Areas Urban Areas Rural Areas
(miles per (distance (distance (distance (distance
hour) in feet) in feet) in feet) in feet)
55 or higher 650 1,320 1,320 1,320
50 425 1,100 1,100 1,100
40 & 45 360 990 360 750
30 & 35 250 770 250 425
25 or lower 150 550 150 350

(a)

For spacing between private approaches, the spacing standards described in Table 1 apply to the distance measured along the highway from the center of an existing or proposed private approach to the center of the nearest existing or proposed private approach on the same side of the highway in both directions. For spacing between a private and a public approach, the standard applies to the distance measured in both directions along the highway from the center of an existing or proposed private approach to the center of the nearest intersection of the highway with a public approach or another state highway.

(b)

The spacing standards for approaches on one-way highways or highways with a raised or depressed nontraversable median where only a right-hand or left-hand turn into and from the approach is allowed are one-half the spacing standards for highways where the annual average daily traffic is more than 5,000 motor vehicles as described in Table 2.

(c)

Special transportation areas, access management plans, corridor plans, interchange area management plans or interchange management areas, as designated by the Oregon Transportation Commission, may have spacing standards that take precedence over the spacing standards described in Table 1.

(d)

For a signalized private approach, signal spacing standards established by the department by rule supersede the spacing standards described in Table 1.

(e)

The spacing standards in Table 1 do not apply to approaches in existence prior to January 1, 2012, except when:

(A)

A new or change of use of an approach permit is required under ORS 374.312 (Rules regarding permits for approach roads).

(B)

Infill development or infill redevelopment occurs and spacing or safety will be improved by moving in the direction of the spacing standards described in Table 1.

(C)

A highway or interchange project occurs and spacing or safety will be improved by moving in the direction of the spacing standards described in Table 1.

(f)

The spacing standards for a statewide highway, regional highway or district highway that is designated as an expressway by the commission where the annual average daily traffic is 5,000 or fewer motor vehicles are described in Tables 2 to 4.

(2)

When making a decision to approve or deny an application for an approach permit, the department shall apply, as one of the standards, the standards in Table 2 for spacing between approaches on statewide highways where the annual average daily traffic is more than 5,000 motor vehicles:

Expressway Expressway
Speed Rural Areas Urban Areas Rural Areas Urban Areas
(miles (distance (distance (distance (distance
per hour) in feet) in feet) in feet) in feet)
55 or higher 5,280 2,640 1,320 1,320
50 5,280 2,640 1,100 1,100
40 & 45 5,280 2,640 990 800
30 & 35 - - 770 500
25 & lower - - 550 350

(a)

For spacing between private approaches, the spacing standards described in Table 2 apply to the distance measured along the highway from the center of an existing or proposed private approach to the center of the nearest existing or proposed private approach on the same side of the highway in both directions. For spacing between a private and a public approach, the standard applies to the distance measured in both directions along the highway from the center of an existing or proposed private approach to the center of the nearest intersection of the highway with a public approach or another state highway.

(b)

The spacing standards for approaches on one-way highways or highways with a raised or depressed nontraversable median where only a right-hand or left-hand turn into and from the approach is allowed are one-half the spacing standards described in Table 2.

(c)

Special transportation areas, access management plans, corridor plans, interchange area management plans or interchange management areas, as designated by the commission, may have spacing standards that take precedence over the spacing standards described in Table 2.

(d)

For a signalized private approach, signal spacing standards established by the department by rule supersede the spacing standards described in Table 2.

(e)

The spacing standards in Table 2 do not apply to approaches in existence prior to January 1, 2012, except when:

(A)

A new or change of use of an approach permit is required under ORS 374.312 (Rules regarding permits for approach roads).

(B)

Infill development or infill redevelopment occurs and spacing and safety will be improved by moving in the direction of the spacing standards described in Table 2.

(C)

A highway or interchange project occurs and spacing and safety will be improved by moving in the direction of the spacing standards described in Table 2.

(f)

The spacing standards described in Table 2 for a statewide highway that is designated as an expressway by the commission also apply to an expressway where the annual average daily traffic is 5,000 or fewer motor vehicles.

(3)

When making a decision to approve or deny an application for an approach permit, the department shall apply, as one of the standards, the standards in Table 3 for the spacing between approaches on regional highways where the annual average daily traffic is more than 5,000 motor vehicles:

Expressway Expressway
Speed Rural Areas Urban Areas Rural Areas Urban Areas
(miles (distance (distance (distance (distance
per hour) in feet) in feet) in feet) in feet)
55 or higher 5,280 2,640 990 990
50 5,280 2,640 830 830
40 & 45 5,280 2,640 750 500
30 & 35 - - 600 350
25 & lower - - 450 250

(a)

For spacing between private approaches, the spacing standards described in Table 3 apply to the distance measured along the highway from the center of an existing or proposed private approach to the center of the nearest existing or proposed private approach on the same side of the highway in both directions. For spacing between a private and a public approach, the standard applies to the distance measured in both directions along the highway from the center of an existing or proposed private approach to the center of the nearest intersection of the highway with a public approach or another state highway.

(b)

The spacing standards for approaches on one-way highways or highways with a raised or depressed nontraversable median where only a right-hand or left-hand turn into and from the approach is allowed are one-half the spacing standards described in Table 3.

(c)

Special transportation areas, access management plans, corridor plans, interchange area management plans or interchange management areas, as designated by the commission, may have spacing standards that take precedence over the spacing standards described in Table 3.

(d)

For a signalized private approach, signal spacing standards established by the department by rule supersede the spacing standards described in Table 3.

(e)

The spacing standards in Table 3 do not apply to approaches in existence prior to January 1, 2012, except when:

(A)

A new or change of use of an approach permit is required under ORS 374.312 (Rules regarding permits for approach roads).

(B)

Infill development or infill redevelopment occurs and spacing and safety will be improved by moving in the direction of the spacing standards described in Table 3.

(C)

A highway or interchange project occurs and spacing and safety will be improved by moving in the direction of the spacing standards described in Table 3.

(f)

The spacing standards described in Table 3 for a regional highway that is designated as an expressway by the commission also applies to an expressway where the annual average daily traffic is 5,000 or fewer motor vehicles.

(4)

When making a decision to approve or deny an application for an approach permit, the department shall apply, as one of the standards, the standards in Table 4 for the spacing between approaches on district highways where the annual average daily traffic is more than 5,000 motor vehicles:

Expressway Expressway
Speed Rural Areas Urban Areas Rural Areas Urban Areas
(miles (distance (distance (distance (distance
per hour) in feet) in feet) in feet) in feet)
55 or higher 5,280 2,640 700 700
50 5,280 2,640 550 550
40 & 45 5,280 2,640 500 500
30 & 35 - - 400 350
25 & lower - - 400 250

(a)

For spacing between private approaches, the spacing standards described in Table 4 apply to the distance measured along the highway from the center of an existing or proposed private approach to the center of the nearest existing or proposed private approach on the same side of the highway in both directions. For spacing between a private and a public approach, the standard applies to the distance measured in both directions along the highway from the center of an existing or proposed private approach to the center of the nearest intersection of the highway with a public approach or another state highway.

(b)

The spacing standards for approaches on one-way highways or highways with a raised or depressed nontraversable median where only a right-hand or left-hand turn into and from the approach is allowed are one-half the spacing standards described in Table 4.

(c)

Special transportation areas, access management plans, corridor plans, interchange area management plans or interchange management areas, as designated by the commission, may have spacing standards that take precedence over the spacing standards described in Table 4.

(d)

For a signalized private approach, signal spacing standards established by the department by rule supersede the spacing standards described in Table 4.

(e)

The spacing standards in Table 4 do not apply to approaches in existence prior to January 1, 2012, except when:

(A)

A new or change of use of an approach permit is required under ORS 374.312 (Rules regarding permits for approach roads).

(B)

Infill development or infill redevelopment occurs and spacing and safety will be improved by moving in the direction of the spacing standards described in Table 4.

(C)

A highway or interchange project occurs and spacing and safety will be improved by moving in the direction of the spacing standards described in Table 4.

(f)

The spacing standards described in Table 4 for a district highway that is designated as an expressway by the commission also apply to an expressway where the annual average daily traffic is 5,000 or fewer motor vehicles.

(5)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a)

The department may require channelization on the highway as a condition for the approval of an approach permit if any of the following conditions exist:

(A)

The number of average daily trips at the property exceeds 400 when the property is located on a two-lane highway with an annual average daily traffic of 5,000 or more motor vehicles.

(B)

The number of average daily trips at the property exceeds 400 when the property is located on a four-lane highway with an annual average daily traffic of 10,000 or more motor vehicles.

(C)

The product of the number of average daily trips at the property multiplied by the annual average daily traffic on the highway is equal to or greater than the products listed in the table below:

Product of Property’s Average Daily Trips Multiplied by the
Abutting Highway’s Annual Average Daily Traffic (Millions)
Number of Speed Speed Speed Speed
highway 25 mph 30-35 40-45 50 mph
lanes or lower mph mph or higher
2 lanes 5.1 3.9 1.8 1.3
4 lanes 10.2 7.8 3.6 2.6

(b)

The number of average daily trips at a property may be determined by a traffic impact analysis or from national standards, as determined by the department. A vehicle that enters and exits a property has made two trips.

(c)

The annual average daily traffic for a state highway may be determined from the most recent edition of the transportation volume tables published annually by the department. The department shall post the transportation volume tables on the department’s website.

(6)

The department may adopt by rule a standard for sight distance based on nationally accepted standards.

(7)

As used in this section:

(a)

“Infill development” means the development of vacant or remnant land that has been passed over by previous development and that is consistent with zoning. Infill occurs in urban areas. It may also occur in rural areas on commercially or industrially zoned land where the land has been developed into an urban block pattern including a local street network where the highway speed is 45 miles per hour or less.

(b)

“Infill redevelopment” means changing an existing development including replacement, remodeling or reuse of existing structures to accommodate new development that is consistent with current zoning. Redevelopment occurs in urban areas. It may also occur in rural areas on commercially or industrially zoned land where the land has been developed into an urban block pattern including a local street network and where the highway speed is 45 miles per hour or less.

(c)

“Rural” means the area outside an urban growth boundary, the area outside a special transportation area in an unincorporated community or the area outside an urban unincorporated community.

(d)

“Speed” means the speed limit established in ORS 811.111 (Violating a speed limit) or the designated speed posted under ORS 810.180 (Designation of maximum speeds).

(e)

“Urban” means the area within an urban growth boundary, the area within a special transportation area of an unincorporated community or the area within an urban unincorporated community. [2011 c.330 §17]
Note: 374.311 (Permit standards) and 374.314 (Traffic impact analysis) were added to and made a part of 374.302 (Definitions for ORS 374.302 to 374.334) to 374.334 (Access management strategy) by legislative action but were not added to any smaller series therein. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.


Source: Section 374.311 — Permit standards; rules, https://www.­oregonlegislature.­gov/bills_laws/ors/ors374.­html.

374.005
Policy and purpose of ORS 374.005 to 374.095
374.010
“Throughway” defined
374.015
Department of Transportation to establish and maintain throughways
374.020
Interference with railroad facilities prohibited
374.025
Change from throughway to highway
374.030
Separation of throughways into separate roadways
374.035
Acquisition of real property
374.040
Acquisition of land not immediately needed
374.045
Payment for land acquired
374.050
Parties bringing eminent domain proceedings
374.055
Evidentiary purposes of improvement plan
374.060
Power of Department of Transportation as to intersecting streets and roads
374.065
Intersection of throughways and county roads
374.070
Throughways in cities
374.075
Cooperation of municipal and county authorities with Department of Transportation
374.080
Agreements with federal government, counties and cities
374.085
Severance by throughway of agricultural land
374.090
Destruction by throughway of access to agricultural property
374.095
Utility roads where access to abutting property affected
374.300
Legislative intent
374.302
Definitions for ORS 374.302 to 374.334
374.305
Necessity of permission to build on rights of way
374.307
Removal or repair of installation constructed without permission
374.308
Presumption of written permission
374.309
County permits
374.310
State permits
374.311
Permit standards
374.312
Rules regarding permits for approach roads
374.313
Claim for relief after closure of approach road
374.314
Traffic impact analysis
374.315
Construction under permits
374.317
Approach road maintenance
374.320
Removal or repair of installation on right of way at expense of applicant
374.325
Effect of ORS 374.305 to 374.325
374.326
Collaboration with highway users
374.328
Highway classification
374.329
Agreements with cities
374.330
Prior status preserved
374.331
Facility plans
374.334
Access management strategy
374.335
Driving certain motor vehicles across public highway not considered operation on highway
374.340
Cattle crossings under public road
374.345
Rules regarding turning onto state highway from approach road
374.350
Process for appeal of decisions regarding access to highways
374.355
Dispute resolution procedures
374.360
Access Management Dispute Review Board
374.405
Access rights of property abutting on state highways
374.410
Department of Transportation to prescribe access rights of abutting property
374.415
Action to prevent entering or leaving state highways in manner not authorized
374.420
County throughways
374.425
County court to prescribe access rights of abutting property
374.430
Action to prevent entering or leaving county roads in unauthorized manner
374.990
Penalty for violation of ORS 374.305 or rule adopted under ORS 374.309 or 374.310
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