Tigard Laws and Rules ask
Ti CIad TY r
gTigard 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 Code (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 holding a public hearing
organization, powers,functions and essential procedures of and voting to adopt an ordinance to amend the code.Staff
the city government. It is comparable to the Constitution of the initiates this process to adapt to changing circumstances,
United States or a state's constitution.The charter is,therefore, update outdated language or reflect current changes in state,
the most important legal document of any city. county or other agency regulations and requirements.A
legislative public hearing consists of a staff report,opportunity
Charter Amendments for public testimony,opportunity for staff response and council
Tigard voters must vote on any changes to the City Charter.A questions of staff. The mayor closes the public hearing and
Charter Review Committee will be taking on a review of the Council has a discussion on the proposed amendment.After
entire Charter in early 2023 and recommended changes will there is a motion and a second,the City Recorder will read the
appear on a future ballot. number and title of the ordinance and conduct a roll-call vote.
Ordinances go into effect 30 days after adoption, unless there is
Tigard Municipal Code (TMC) an emergency clause.Ordinances are signed by the mayor,city
The TMC covers a wide variety of processes and laws that attorney and city recorder.After 30 days the city recorder sends
define structural elements such as city boards and committees a copy of the ordinance to the codifier who will update the
or how fees and taxes will be applied in Tigard. It provides online code. During the 30-day period,there is a"code alert"
rules to keep neighborhoods livable and the community safe. section on the code page to inform the public about proposed
changes.Questions about the TMC should be directed to the
Community Development Code (CDC) City Recorders Office.
The CDC covers infrastructure and building requirements to
keep residents safe, but it is also the document that guides Administrative Rules
future planning to make Tigard an equitable,walkable, Council has given the City Manager and staff approval to create
healthy and accessible place to live. It refers to other Administrative Rules that go into effect after Council gives
documents that the city is required to follow,such as State approval,and any issues raised during a public comment period
of Oregon Building, Electrical and Plumbing Codes. Some have been considered. Staff will brief Council on the need
chapters reflect requirements mandated by other agencies for the rule,which is related to a staff process or procedure
like Clean Water Services or FEMA. Staff stays on top of new for which putting it in the code would make it cumbersome
requirements and will bring code amendments to Council for or difficult to respond nimbly to an operational need.The
adoption to keep Tigard in compliance.An example is the Administrative Rule is published during a citizen comment
many changes brought about by HB 2001 and other legislation period. If issues arise staff may bring it back for further
which required missing middle housing to be allowed in discussion with Council. Otherwise,Council has authorized the
single-family zoned areas. Questions about the CDC should be City Manager to approve Administrative Rules.
directed to the Community Development Department.