Tigard Laws and Rules City of Tigard
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Tigard Laws & Rules
The City of Tigard's laws and rules can be found in the following documents:
■ Tigard City Charter
■ Tigard Municipal Code (TMC)—Titles 1-17
■ Community Development Cod E (CDC) —Title 18
■ Administrative Rules
Tigard City Charter Code Amendments (TMC and CDC)
A municipal charter is the basic document that defines the Council amends the TMC and CDC by adopting ordinances through
organization,powers,functions and essential procedures of the the legislative public hearing process.Council holds a legislative
city government. It is comparable to the Constitution of the United public hearing and votes to adopt an ordinance to amend the code.
States or a state's constitution.The charter is,therefore,the most Staff initiates this process to adapt to changing circumstances,
important legal document of any city. update outdated language or reflect current changes in state,
county or other agency regulations and requirements.A legislative
Charter Amendments public hearing consists of a staff report,opportunity for public
Tigard voters must vote on any changes to the City Charter. testimony,opportunity for staff response and council questions
of staff.The mayor closes the public hearing and Council has a
Tigard Municipal Code(TMC) discussion on the proposed amendment.After there is a motion
The TMC covers a wide variety of processes and laws that define and a second,the City Recorder will read the number and title
structural elements such as city boards and committees or how of the ordinance and conduct a roll-call vote.Ordinances go into
fees and taxes will be applied in Tigard. It provides rules to keep effect 30 days after adoption, unless there is an emergency clause.
neighborhoods livable and the community safe.-- Ordinances are signed by the mayor,city attorney and city recorder.
Community Development Code(CDC) After 30 days the city recorder sends a copy of the ordinance to the
The CDC covers infrastructure and building requirements to keep codifier who will update the online code. During the 30-day period,
residents safe, but it is also the document that guides future there is a "code alert"section on the code page to inform the
planning to make Tigard an equitable,walkable, healthy and public about proposed changes.Questions about the TMC should
accessible place to live. It refers to other documents that the city be directed to the City Recorders Office.
is required to follow,such as State of Oregon Building, Electrical Administrative Rules
and Plumbing Codes. Some chapters reflect requirements
mandated by other agencies like Clean Water Services or Council has given the City Manager and staff approval to create
FEMA. Staff stays on top of new requirements and will bring Administrative Rules that go into effect after Council gives approval,
code amendments to Council for adoption to keep Tigard in and any issues raised during a public comment period have been
compliance.An example is the many changes brought about by considered. Staff will brief Council on the need for the rule,which
HB 2001 which required missing middle housing to be allowed in is related to a staff process or procedure for which putting it in the
single-family zoned areas. Questions about the CDC should be code would make it cumbersome or difficult to respond nimbly to
directed to the Community Development Department. an operational need.The Administrative Rule is published during
a citizen comment period. If issues arise staff may bring it back for
further discussion with Council.Otherwise,Council has authorized
the City Manager to approve Administrative Rules.