Oregon Housing Development Land Conservation Study: HB 4113 Overview

Hey there, fellow Oregon landlords, property managers, and real estate investors. Christian Bryant here from the Portland Area Rental Owners Association (PAROA). We're always keeping an eye on land use proposals because they shape where and how housing gets built in our state. House Bill 4113 is one of those early-session bills that doesn't change rules today but asks for a closer look at a key idea: tying new housing development to land conservation efforts.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IgFOkEXwnn0

Mr Portland Landlord reports on this article

What the Bill Actually Says

As of early February 2026, HB 4113 is newly introduced and awaiting committee assignment. The text is brief: it requires the Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) to study housing development opportunities that are conditioned upon land conservation. No specific questions or scope are detailed—that would likely come through the study process itself, with DLCD gathering data, stakeholder input, and perhaps recommendations for future policy.

These study bills often explore trade-offs in Oregon's unique land use system, where protecting farm and forest land (Goal 3 and 4) sometimes conflicts with housing needs (Goal 10). The idea here seems to probe whether allowing development in certain areas could be offset by conserving land elsewhere—kind of a "no net loss" approach for open space while adding homes.

Balancing acts: Exploring Oregon housing development land conservation study options.

Potential Impacts on Landlords and Property Managers

Right now, this is just a study—no immediate changes to rentals or operations. If the Oregon housing development land conservation study leads to future policies, though, it could indirectly boost supply. More flexible development rules (conditioned on conservation) might unlock sites for new units, easing pressure on existing rentals in tight markets like Portland or Bend.

For managers, added housing means more options for tenants—potentially lower turnover as people find homes that fit, or stabilized rents from increased inventory. In rural or edge areas, new developments could expand your portfolio opportunities.

Potential Impacts on Real Estate Investors

Investors watch land use closely because it affects buildable inventory. A study exploring conditioned development could highlight pathways for projects on marginal or constrained land, if offset by conservation elsewhere. That might increase viable sites for multifamily or single-family rentals, supporting holds or flips.

Longer-term, policies from the study could balance growth with preservation—appealing to communities wary of sprawl while adding units investors need. Risk: If conservation conditions are strict, development costs rise, thinning returns.

Potential Impacts on Developers

This is where the Oregon housing development land conservation study could matter most down the line. Developers often bump against Goal restrictions—prime land locked as farm/forest. If the study recommends offsets (develop here, conserve there), it opens creative models: transfer of development rights, conservation easements paired with housing, or pilot programs.

For large-scale or infill projects, conditioned approvals could speed entitlements. In high-demand areas, it complements production targets without full UGB fights.

Common Scenarios and Pitfalls

DLCD studies a rural county parcel zoned farm but near city services. Findings suggest allowing housing if equivalent acreage conserved elsewhere—future bill enables it, adding rentals you manage.

Or Metro explores urban edge sites—conditioned development approved, boosting supply but with easement costs passed to buyers/renters.

Pitfall: Study recommends nothing actionable—time invested, no change. Another: Offsets favor large landowners, leaving small developers out. Or public pushback on "trading" conserved land delays implementation.

Digging in: The mandated Oregon housing development land conservation study process.

Best-Practice Tips

Even with just a study pending:

• Engage DLCD: Public comment periods shape scope—share housing need data.

• Map your holdings: Sites near conservation areas? Assess offset potential.

• Partner early: With environmental groups or cities for balanced proposals.

• Stay informed: Subscribe to DLCD updates—studies often include hearings.

• Diversify: Balance urban/infill with growth-edge investments.

• Document impacts: Rental vacancy or rent trends help future advocacy.

Related Considerations

Oregon's system protects resource lands while requiring housing plans—tension that's grown with shortages. Conditioned development isn't new (e.g., transfers of development rights exist limitedly), but scaling it could add units without net loss of open space. Ties into climate resilience—conserving floodplains or wildlife habitat while building higher/denser.

Study outcomes might feed 2027 bills—perhaps pilots, incentives, or Goal amendments. No major shifts yet, but worth watching for supply solutions.

Call to Action

HB 4113 kicks off an Oregon housing development land conservation study—your input can guide it.

Track here: https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2026R1/Measures/Overview/HB4113

Download introduced text here: https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2026R1/Downloads/MeasureDocument/HB4113/Introduced

Contact legislators here: https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/FindYourLegislator/leg-district-map.html

Share how land conservation vs. development balances affect rentals or investments. Practical voices matter.

Finding room for both homes and open space—PAROA is on it.

Sources:

• Oregon Legislative Information System (OLIS) - HB 4113 Overview: https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2026R1/Measures/Overview/HB4113

• OLIS Introduced Text Download: https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2026R1/Downloads/MeasureDocument/HB4113/Introduced

• Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD): https://www.oregon.gov/lcd/Pages/index.aspx