The Sherwood Oregon Housing Laws Challenge: Why Today’s Vote Matters to Every Landlord

Christian Bryant
6 days ago
3 min read

Mr Portland Landlord video summary of this article

Hey there, it’s Christian Bryant, grabbing a virtual coffee with you on this election day morning—January 13, 2026. As president of the Portland Area Rental Owners Association (PAROA), I’m always keeping an eye on anything that could affect how we manage properties, invest in real estate, or simply keep our portfolios running smoothly across the Portland metro and the rest of Oregon. Right now, the Sherwood Oregon housing laws challenge is front and center, and if you haven’t been following it, let’s chat about why it’s worth your attention.

Sherwood Oregon neighborhood with new housing and ballot overlay representing challenge to state housing laws. — Sherwood residents vote on measures to reclaim local control over housing developments amid state mandates.

Sherwood voters are deciding today on two charter amendments that directly push back against recent state housing mandates. These measures would require at least one public hearing and broader neighbor notifications for major residential projects, while also reaffirming the city’s control over annexations. It’s essentially a local “hey, slow down” to Salem’s push to streamline development and build more homes faster.

You’re probably wondering, “Christian, how does a small-city ballot fight affect me?” Fair question. Over the last few years, bills like HB 2001, SB 1537, and others have cut local red tape—shortening notification distances, limiting hearings, and overriding some zoning rules—all to tackle Oregon’s massive housing shortage. The intent is good: get more units built to ease the affordability crisis. But in Sherwood, residents and leaders like Mayor Tim Rosener are saying, “We support growth, but we want a real voice in how it happens here.” A big proposed development could strain schools, roads, and utilities without enough community input—who hasn’t seen that play out in their own backyard?

Sherwood Oregon town hall meeting on housing laws challenge with residents discussing local control. — Community input at the heart of Sherwood's pushback against Oregon's housing streamlining laws.

Breaking Down the Sherwood Oregon Housing Laws Challenge

At its core, the Sherwood Oregon housing laws challenge is about balancing state goals with local control. Supporters of the measures argue residents deserve transparency on projects that change their neighborhoods. Opponents worry that adding steps could delay housing production, keeping rents high longer-term. And let’s be honest: we landlords have benefited from tight supply and rising rents, but endlessly high rents invite more regulation that makes our lives harder. Nobody wins if the pendulum swings too far.

Sherwood’s already stepped up by expanding its urban growth boundary, showing they’re not anti-growth—just pro-community-input. If these amendments pass, it could spark similar pushes in other cities, giving locals more say but potentially slowing supply. If they fail, state mandates keep rolling.

What the Sherwood Oregon Housing Laws Challenge Means for You

Whether you own in Sherwood, Tigard, Tualatin, or farther out, this vote sets tone. More local hurdles could protect property values in established neighborhoods but make new investments trickier. Less supply long-term keeps rents up, sure—but also fuels tenant-protection laws we all deal with. Either way, it’s a reminder to stay engaged. (And hey, if every suburb starts holding emergency votes, at least we’ll all have an excuse to skip yard work for “civic duty.”)

Polls are open today—results will trickle in tonight. PAROA will keep you posted on outcomes and any ripple effects. In the meantime, let’s keep advocating for smart, balanced growth that works for investors, property managers, and the communities we serve.

Happy landlording (and voting if you’re in Sherwood),

Christian Bryant

Portland Area Rental Owners Association

www.paroa.org

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