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No.

Racial restrictive covenants have been unenforceable since 1948 based on the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment and illegal since 1968. The Federal Fair Housing Act prohibits the enforcement of racial restrictions.

It is possible to change your initial court date. You must contact the court office to make arrangements.

Yes. You need to go to or call the City Attorney's Office at 456 SW Monroe Avenue, Suite 101, Corvallis, Oregon 97333 and request a copy of the police report. This is known as "Discovery" and there is a $20.00 fee. Please call the City Attorney's Office at (541) 766-6906 for more information.

No. In order to remain fair and impartial to all people, the Municipal Court Judge must discuss all cases while acting in his official capacity as Judge, in the courtroom during regularly scheduled court times. 

The Municipal Court does offer a violations Bureau in traffic cases for non-moving violations. You must contact the court to see if your citation would qualify to be handled by the clerk.

Residents may report problems or concerns to Public Works (541-766-6916) during regular business hours (M - F, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.). To report hazardous situations after hours, weekends or holidays, please call 911.

Corvallis’ citation fee is currently $10, and the new fee will be $15. The average citation fee for the comparator cities listed above averages $18.40. It averages over $23 when Davis, CA is included.

For implementation of this ordinance to be effective, the City needs your help! Citizens who witness a possible violation are encouraged to contact the Public Works Department by calling the 24-hr pollution prevention hotline at 541-766-6565.

The City of Corvallis keeps close watch on your water supply. The law requires that you be informed if there is a problem with your water. Potential sources for this news are the radio, television, newspapers, the Benton County Environmental Health Department, the Oregon Health Authority Drinking Water Program, or directly from the City of Corvallis.

Residents are encourages to use alternate modes, such as public transportation, if roads are icy. Visit www.corvallistransit.com for route and schedule information.

Yes, if possible. If you need time to pay, be sure you ask the Judge when you enter your plea. 

Where necessary, the sealant will be covered with a fine layer of sand to limit tracking. However, caution is still advised. When the material is first applied, it is extremely hot (400°), wet, sticky, and very difficult to remove from skin, shoes and floor coverings. For the safety of children and pets, please keep them off the streets on the day your street is sealed. 

Discharge from individual residential car washing would not be a violation of this ordinance (Section 4.04.030). Although residential car washing is allowed, the City encourages citizens to prevent soap and car grime from entering streams by taking cars to a commercial car wash. In Corvallis, commercial car washes are connected to the City sanitary system, which can treat and remove pollutants. The City Stormwater Program also has a free SudSafe carwash kit for loan to keep suds, dirt, and oils out of the storm system,. This kit is available for stream-friendly car wash fundraisers! 

When organic materials (such as the algae, leaves, or decaying plants found in untreated source water) react with the chlorine disinfectant during the treatment process, disinfection by-products can be created. Some of these by-products form a group of chemicals called trihalomethanes, or THMs. In excessive quantities, these by-products may have harmful health effects. The maximum contaminant level (MCL) of trihalomethanes allowed in drinking water is 100 parts per billion. 

As part of the 1997 Taylor Plant upgrade, enhanced treatment processes and four new filters were installed to help us meet federal drinking water regulations regarding THMs. These improvements have dramatically increased the plant’s efficiency for removing particles that may contain organic material from the source water. The treatment process has also been modified so that chlorine is only added to the water in the final step of treatment. These improvements will help ensure that the formation of disinfection by-products is kept to a minimum. 

Answer: In Attachment 2 of the February 4, 2010 special Budget Commission meeting packet there is a list of enhancements added in the six years prior to that date and the status of each at that time. In Attachment 3 from that same packet is a table of FTE counts by Department dating back to 2000. This table summarizes the increases and decreases in staffing for each department over the last decade. The FY 16-17 Adopted Budget Document also shows trending information on City staffing beginning on page 35.

Our goal is to clear the roadway for safe travel. Unfortunately, berming is an inconvenient result of plowing. Adjacent property owners are responsible for clearing the berm to gain access to the roadway. We do not have the available resources to provide this service, and this is one way you can help.

Sharrows are road markings used to show motorist that people riding bicycles may “take the lane” and helps show the bicycle rider good lane positioning. Use the sharrow marking to guide you where to ride within the lane.

The ordinance protects all parts of the City stormwater system, which includes City infrastructure, as well as natural features like streams from any pollutant that changes the physical, chemical, or biological properties of the stormwater. (For more information, see section 4.04.020 for a definition of pollutant and storm drainage system). 

If the City becomes aware of a violation, the first step taken by the City will be to contact the responsible party and provide information about the issue and the water quality implications. If no action is taken to address the issue, then a formal letter will be sent, as is outlined in section 4.04.090.020 of the proposed ordinance. If sufficient action is still not taken then a fine no less than $100 and no more than $20,000 and/or 30 days in jail may be issued. In some cases, an alternative compensatory action may be substituted for fines and jail time. 

If the incident you would like to report took place outside of the City of Corvallis, please call the police department for that city.

If your incident occurred on the OSU campus, please call 541-737-3010 to file your report.

A violation is a minor infraction in which punishment is limited to a fine only. A misdemeanor is a minor crime in which punishment is limited to imprisonment of up to one year, a fine or both. 
 

Crack seal is a hot, sticky, petroleum-based pavement crack and joint sealant. It does not resurface the entire street – it just fills cracks. The sealant forms a long-lasting, resilient seal which is flexible and expandable in varying and extreme pavement temperatures. Crack sealing prevents the invasion of surface water between the layers of asphalt and sub-grade rock, thus preventing premature pavement failures, deterioration and potholes. 

Cryptosporidium 

(krip-toe-spor-ID-eum) is a microscopic organism that is naturally present in bodies of water throughout the world. Swallowing these tiny organisms can cause an intestinal illness known as cryptosporidiosis, although some persons infected with Cryptosporidium do not get sick. Symptoms include stomach cramps, upset stomach, and diarrhea. For most healthy people, the illness runs its course in a few weeks without serious consequences. However, for the elderly, young children, or for people with weakened immune systems, the disease can be life threatening. 

Cryptosporidiosis can be transmitted by swallowing contaminated water or food (such as unwashed fruits and vegetables), or by touching your mouth or putting anything in your mouth that has touched the feces of a person or animal with cryptosporidioisis. This includes diapers, farm or yard equipment, and pet waste. Studies have shown that about 1/3 of the population has been recently exposed to this germ, indicating that there are many sources of exposure. 

We have been testing city water for Cryptosporidium since 1994. The results indicate that no Cryptosporidium organisms have been detected. We believe the risk of contracting cryptosporidiosis from city tap water is quite low, however, if you are infected with HIV or have AIDS, are a cancer patient, are taking immunosuppressive drugs after a transplant, or were born with a weakened immune system, we encourage you to consult with your physician. Health officials may suggest that you take additional precautions, such as boiling drinking water for one minute before consuming it. 

Plowing will begin when accumulating snow exceeds approximately two (2) inches.

The City Recorder at City Hall has all ordinances and you may request a copy. There is a 25¢ per page copy fee.

Please contact the City Recorder at (541) 766-6901 for more information. You may also go to the Public Library (645 NW Monroe, Corvallis, Oregon, 97330) where the Library staff can assist you in locating specific ordinances. 

We look toward our community in assistance for identifying issues like these and have set up an online form so you can quickly report hazards 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Once our team receives the issue you have identified, we quickly take steps on proper mitigation if there is a problem. To alert us of an issue, visit www.corvallisoregon.gov and click the Report a Problem link on the navigation bar.

Technicians routinely flush water mains to keep our drinking water clean by removing rust and sediment that might be trapped in the distribution system. Flushing also allows crews to make sure all the valves and fire hydrants are operating as they should. To help protect the environment, the chlorine is removed from this water before it is discharged into the storm drain system. The chlorine in the water could be harmful to aquatic life, and most storm drains discharge directly into Corvallis’ urban streams.

There are many reasons for them to be traveling with the plow up. For example, the plow could be traveling back to the shop for repairs or there may not be enough snow on the street to plow.

This question comes up each year when the weather gets nicer and people start working outside or keeping their windows open. This approach can’t be changed because it is the all-weather Instrument Landing System (ILS) precision approach to Runway 17, our main runway. Instrument landing systems are one of two types of precision approaches which allow an aircraft to safely land in all types of weather. Usually, they are only found at commercial airports because they cost millions of dollars. Ours was installed in the 1980’s when commercial flights were operating out of Corvallis. It is maintained by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and is part of what draws business jets and charter flights into Corvallis, especially in the winter. It is setup on our main runway coming from the north because 70% of the time that is where the prevailing winds are coming from (the south). The safest direction for aircraft to land is into the wind. Aircraft use that approach each day, usually one or two dozen aircraft, including the US Army National Guard helicopters from Salem, the USCG helicopters from Newport and Astoria, FEDEX, UPS, business jets, and our local REACH Air Medical air ambulance. REACH requires this approach for operation out of Corvallis. They use it when returning from ambulance calls at night and in bad weather, and would have to relocate to another airport if the ILS was shutdown. Again, no other runway or direction would work for this approach. While we could ask the FAA to decommission the ILS at Corvallis, they normally require the airport sponsor (City of Corvallis in this case) to repay the FAA for the last 20 years of maintenance and improvements that have been made to that system. This is one of the “Grants and Assurances” we signed as part of our acceptance of FAA grant funds over the years. This would also reduce and possibly eliminate any business or charter aircraft coming into Corvallis, especially in the winter and bad weather months. Why is this approach used during the nice weather when you can see forever? Pilots are required to recertify on this system regularly, and they are not allowed to practice or get this certification training in bad weather.

Water interferes with the crack-sealing process, so we ask residents not to water lawns, wash cars, or engage in similar activities that may cause water to enter the street on the day their street is crack-sealed. 

We will attempt to plow or sand bike lanes on the streets; however, limited time and resources prevent us from plowing or sanding bike paths that are separate from the roadways.

Si su incidente es una emergencia, llame al 911. Si no es una emergencia llame al 541-766-6924.

 No, si el crimen ocurrió fuera de la ciudad de Corvallis Police Department por favor llame al departamento de policía de la ciudad que corresponda.

The City’s costs to continue providing existing services grow faster than revenue grows. As a result, the City has been cutting back on costs for a number of years, even as the total budget has grown. The City actively pursues methods for conserving and cutting costs. Significant efforts in recent years have included building solar power stations using grant monies to help offset significant electrical costs, changing to LED street lights as well as moving to LED lighting in buildings. Even with these changes and the cost savings associated with them, other costs are growing faster than revenues.

Roughly one-third of your total property tax bill goes to the City of Corvallis. If you are paying $4,000 in property tax, you are paying City taxes of $1,119 for the permanent tax rate, $180 for the local option levy, and $55 for voter-approved debt for a total of $1,354. This is about 34% of the total property taxes you pay.

Neither OSU nor Samaritan Health Services pays property taxes on their facilities used for their operations. Both pay taxes on parcels used by for-profit operations. For example, the Hilton Hotel parcel is taxed even though it is on OSU property.

However, OSU voluntarily contributes to Transit, Fire Prevention and Police Department staffing.

OSU uses the Oregon State Police Department for on-campus policing service. The City Police Department provides all policing services off-campus. In 2016, the City and OSU agreed on a cooperative effort and OSU is granting $1.2 million to Corvallis Police over 3 years to support local law enforcement. This is an unprecedented collaboration.

Corvallis Fire Department is an ‘all hazard’ department, meaning we provide fire, rescue, emergency planning and prevention services for the City of Corvallis and Corvallis Rural Fire Protection District.

In addition, we provide transport ambulance services for the majority of Benton County and a portion of Linn County (765 square mile area). Also, we provide hazardous materials response in partnership with the Oregon State Fire Marshal, Albany Fire Department and Lebanon Fire District covering Linn, Benton, Lincoln and Polk counties.

Calls for service increase as our population grows and as our demographics change with people getting older. As mobile phones have become commonplace, calls for service have increased. In addition, the Fire Department role has evolved – when people have a problem they don’t know how to handle, they often call the Fire Department. We are often called to assist community members with everything from personal care issues to actual hazard mitigation such as ruptured gas lines.

The Fire Department ambulance service is supported by user fees, and there are a number of cost recovery fees in place for responses such as non-resident motor vehicle crashes; violations of the fire code; out of district responses to ‘un-covered’ areas.

Between 2015 and 2018, the City engaged the community through open houses, public hearings, work groups, advisory committees, and a community-wide survey to create the Transportation System Plan (TSP), which was adopted by the City Council in 2018. It was during this process that the low-stress network was identified to improve walking and biking conditions throughout Corvallis. The streets chosen provide an alternative to adjacent, higher volume roadways for those on foot, wheel or mobility device.

Most of the funding for affordable housing comes from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), not local funds. The City enacted a new affordable housing Construction Excise Tax in 2016 which is assessed against building permits and not funded by property taxes. By state law, the City can utilize this excise tax revenue to support affordable housing.

Additionally, there is a strong desire for people who work in Corvallis to be able to live here. Without additional affordable housing opportunities, many people who work in Corvallis will continue to live outside the city and commute, adding to street congestion and carbon emissions.

Removal of on-street parking is not typically part of a Neighborhood Bikeway. However, there may be a small number of locations where parking may need to be restricted. For example, areas adjacent to intersections or where a speed hump is installed.

Emergency vehicle access will not be affected. The Fire and Police Departments review plans for treatments like speed humps and traffic circles to ensure they are designed to maintain emergency vehicle access. By their nature, Neighborhood Bikeways are almost entirely on low volume residential streets, which are not considered backbone emergency response routes for Police and Fire.

We completed a parking audit recently and meter rates were compared with Eugene, Hood River, Missoula MT, Salem, and Spokane WA. Corvallis’s current typical hourly rate is $0.50, the new typical hourly rate will be $1.00, and the hourly rate of the comparator cities averages $1.23. We are still below many of our comparator cities in terms of hourly prices.

Though proposed treatments are designed to achieve safer, slower speeds on Neighborhood Bikeway routes, we do not expect a significant diversion to nearby streets.

By Oregon law, the City may not exit the PERS system. Even if an exit was allowed, the City would have to pay its share of the PERS Unfunded Actuarial Liability since that cost is based on benefits already earned that PERS will be required to pay out.

The City Manager does not make any decisions with regard to PERS benefits. The PERS benefit structure is the responsibility of the Oregon Legislature. If you would like to see changes, we recommend you talk with your state legislators or the Governor’s office.

The vast majority of Neighborhood Bikeway streets will have shared roadway markings (also known as “sharrows”) to indicate that the streets are shared by people bicycling and driving. Some routes are on collectors or arterials for short segments and these connections will typically have already-existing bike lanes.

As major transportation projects move into the first two years of the 5-year CIP, it is important that project scopes and cost estimates are fully developed in order to appropriately inform the City's biennial budget. This additional project definition is facilitated through preliminary engineering activities that can include road safety audits or intersection control evaluations.  If these efforts are undertaken on a project, they will be made available at the links below.  

Road Safety Audit: <link>

Intersection Control Evaluation: <link>

Staff Response Document: <link>

As major transportation projects move into the first two years of the 5-year CIP, it is important that project scopes and cost estimates are fully developed in order to appropriately inform the City's biennial budget. This additional project definition is facilitated through preliminary engineering activities that can include road safety audits or intersection control evaluations.  If these efforts are undertaken on a project, they will be made available at the links below.  

Road Safety Audit: <link>

Intersection Control Evaluation: <link>

Staff Response Document: <link>

As major transportation projects move into the first two years of the 5-year CIP, it is important that project scopes and cost estimates are fully developed in order to appropriately inform the City's biennial budget. This additional project definition is facilitated through preliminary engineering activities that can include road safety audits or intersection control evaluations.  If these efforts are undertaken on a project, they will be made available at the links below.  

Western Blvd - 35th St. Safety Evaluation 

35th St. Lighting Analysis

Some segments of Neighborhood Bikeways will see localized repairs or patching. However, due to limited budgets, the priority for major rehabilitation projects is the collector and arterial system. For more information on future resurfacing projects, please visit the Capital Improvement Program’s latest adopted plan. To learn more about how Corvallis streets are assessed and prioritized for repairs visit the Street Maintenance webpage. If you see a small scale repair like a pothole you can report it to the City via Report A Problem (select “Pothole”). City staff will assess the location and determine if it is able to be repaired.

Projects are in the design phase when the scope and budget has been authorized by Council.  During the design phase, staff prepare engineered construction plans and other contract documents necessary to bid the project for construction. Engagement efforts vary during design with emphasis placed on engaging with those properties directly impacted by the project. Direct contact with property owners, general mailings, and neighborhood meetings are types of engagement strategies that the project manager may rely on. For select projects, when design has reached approximately 60%, the City can schedule an opportunity for the broader community to learn more about the project and provide “design-level input." Design-level input on a specific project does not include input on project scope or the City’s general design standards. An example of design-level input would be sharing information with the project manager about a challenge a user experiences transitioning from an on-street bike lane to an off-street multi-use path within the project limits/scope and how that transition may be impacted with the project. The City currently partners with the Sustainability Coalition’s Transportation Action Team for meeting facilitation. Meeting dates and meeting materials will be provided below when available. 

Transportation Action Team Meeting: Third Wednesday of each month, 4-5:30 pm via online only (click for more info). 

To sign up for regular project updates once construction starts, please click the link below.

SUBSCRIBE

Projects are in the design phase when the scope and budget has been authorized by Council.  During the design phase, staff prepare engineered construction plans and other contract documents necessary to bid the project for construction.  Engagement efforts vary during design with emphasis placed on engaging with those properties directly impacted by the project.  Direct contact with property owners, general mailings, and neighborhood meetings are types of engagement strategies that the project manager may rely on.  For select projects, when design has reached approximately 60%, the City can schedule an opportunity for the broader community to learn more about the project and provide “design-level input."  Design-level input on a specific project does not include input on project scope or the City’s general design standards.  An example of design-level input would be sharing information with the project manager about a challenge a user experiences transitioning from an on-street bike lane to an off-street multi-use path within the project limits/scope and how that transition may be impacted with the project.  The City currently partners with the Sustainability Coalition’s Transportation Action Team for meeting facilitation. Meeting dates and meeting materials will also be provided below when available. To sign up for notices about upcoming TAT meetings, [ADD HOW TO SIGN UP FOR TAT MEETING NOTICES]. 

Transportation Action Team Meeting: TBD (meeting dates/materials will be added here when available) 

To sign up for regular project updates once construction starts, please click the link below.

SUBSCRIBE

Projects are in the design phase when the scope and budget has been authorized by Council.  During the design phase, staff prepare engineered construction plans and other contract documents necessary to bid the project for construction. Engagement efforts vary during design with emphasis placed on engaging with those properties directly impacted by the project. Direct contact with property owners, general mailings, and neighborhood meetings are types of engagement strategies that the project manager may rely on. For select projects, when design has reached approximately 60%, the City can schedule an opportunity for the broader community to learn more about the project and provide “design-level input." Design-level input on a specific project does not include input on project scope or the City’s general design standards. An example of design-level input would be sharing information with the project manager about a challenge a user experiences transitioning from an on-street bike lane to an off-street multi-use path within the project limits/scope and how that transition may be impacted with the project. The City currently partners with the Sustainability Coalition’s Transportation Action Team for meeting facilitation. Meeting dates and meeting materials will be provided below when available. 

Transportation Action Team Meeting: Third Wednesday of each month, 4-5:30 pm via online only (click for more info). 

35th/Western/11th June 27, 2025 TAT Comment Responses

To sign up for regular project updates once construction starts, please click the link below.

SUBSCRIBE

11^th Street and Tyler Avenue is the intersection of two Neighborhood Bikeways, where heavier than usual bike traffic occurs. A traffic circle will facilitate continuous movement for both cyclists and motorists through the intersection while keeping speeds reasonable. It also provides passive traffic control and discourages cut through traffic in the neighborhood.

For more information about traffic circles, visit the Traffic Circle FAQ page.

To sign up for regular project updates once construction starts, please click the link below.

SUBSCRIBE

See below for construction updates throughout the project.

To sign up for regular project updates once construction starts, please click the link below.

SUBSCRIBE

See below for construction updates throughout the project.

To sign up for regular project updates once construction starts, please click the link below.

SUBSCRIBE

See below for construction updates throughout the project.

A TSAP is a document that reviews transportation-related crashes involving vehicles, pedestrians, or bicycles to find trends and identify strategies to reduce crashes throughout a city. TSAPs are comprehensive safety plans aimed at reducing and eliminating serious injury and fatal crashes, and use data analysis to characterize roadway safety problems and strengthen a community’s approach through projects and strategies that address the most significant safety risks.

The TSAP developed through this process will serve as a foundation for future transportation safety projects and initiatives, helping the City of Corvallis identify priorities and secure funding to implement solutions over time. It is important to understand that the benefits of the plan will be realized incrementally, and the planning process itself is a critical step. While the adoption of the TSAP is a milestone, it is not an endpoint; successful implementation will depend on available funding and prioritizing efforts to address the most critical safety needs first.

All left turns will be prohibited as well as straight through movement on Tyler Avenue. Vehicles will still have the ability to make right turns into, and from, Tyler Avenue.

Until recently, ODOT has been the sole authority authorized under state law to conduct speed zone investigations and set speed limits based on the outcome of these investigations. In recent years, the Oregon legislature amended the law to allow ODOT to delegate the authority to incorporated cities. Corvallis is not staffed to take on this responsibility and therefore continues to rely on ODOT.  Because the setting of speed limits is so highly regulated, the outcome of speed zone investigations, whether conducted by ODOT or the City, would produce the same results. The change in law only provides an option for cities to handle some of this work themselves, it does not provide for additional influence or control over the outcome.Until recently, ODOT has been the sole authority authorized under state law to conduct speed zone investigations and set speed limits based on the outcome of these investigations. In recent years, the Oregon legislature amended the law to allow ODOT to delegate the authority to incorporated cities. Corvallis is not staffed to take on this responsibility and therefore continues to rely on ODOT.  Because the setting of speed limits is so highly regulated, the outcome of speed zone investigations, whether conducted by ODOT or the City, would produce the same results. The change in law only provides an option for cities to handle some of this work themselves, it does not provide for additional influence or control over the outcome.

If it is a city-owned paved path, we’ll consider requests. However, if the path is maintained by ODOT, Benton County or a private entity, it is beyond the scope of the City’s program. The City also has an Adopt-A-Park Program facilitated by the Parks & Recreation department that includes unpaved trails. For information about that program, visit: https://www.corvallisoregon.gov/parksrec/page/parks-recreation-volunteer...

Yes.  The website indexes web pages as well as PDFs, Microsoft Office documents, and text documents.

When the slurry is dry, it is safe. When it is first applied, the slurry is in a liquid form consisting of asphalt and rock. Because liquid asphalt is potentially hazardous to health and is very difficult to remove from skin, shoes and floor coverings, please keep children from playing near the street until the slurry material dries. Pets should be kept from running free during the slurry application for their safety. 

A Home Energy Score is a report created by a certified home energy assessor that provides information on estimated home energy use, associated costs, and provides options to cost-effectively improve your home’s energy efficiency. Each Home Energy Score is shown on a simple one-to-ten scale, where a ten represents the most efficient homes. See a sample Home Energy Score report here. 

The Rental Housing Fee was created in 1999 in response to the increasing number of rentals in Corvallis. The fee is used is to improve housing standards through education and assistance.  The objectives  are to: (1) Assist community members in finding the rental related resources; (2) Educate through partnerships and outreach, to increase knowledge about fair housing regulations, Landlord / Tenant law, and the Corvallis Livability; (3) Inform by collecting data to improve the City’s understanding of local rental housing trends.

The speed zone investigation for Circle Boulevard was conducted by ODOT between Kings Boulevard and Harrison Boulevard. Based on the outcome of the investigation, ODOT is requiring several changes to speed limits along this corridor. The existing and new speed limits for this portion of Circle are:

A copy of the ODOT’s Speed Zone Order and Speed Investigation Report can be reviewed by clicking on the links provided. To reiterate, public input is not considered under the law as part of speed investigations and does not affect their outcome.

To find nearby locations visit one of the following websites:

• Oregon Drug Take-Back Program
• DEA drug disposal site

The Benton County Sheriff’s Office also organizes an event every April. Click below for more info. 

After Benton County’s successful use of ranked choice voting, in 2022 the City adopted the ranked choice voting method for elections for Mayor and City Council races with three or more candidates and for advisory questions.

• At the November 8, 2016 general election, Benton County voters amended the County Charter to elect officials using ranked choice voting. Measure text and explanatory statement for ballot measure 2-100. 11/8/16 election results.
• At the November 3, 2020 general election, Benton County voters used ranked choice voting to elect County Commissioners. 11/3/2020 election results.
• The Corvallis City Council explored how to implement ranked choice voting in 2021. 9/7/2021 City Council meeting minutes. 11/9/2021 City Attorney Report: Implementing Ranked Choice Voting for City Elections. 11/15/2021 City Council meeting minutes.
• The Corvallis City Council passed Ordinance 2022-02 on January 19, 2022, adopting ranked choice voting. 1/11/2022 City Attorney Report: City Election and Vacancy Procedures. 1/18/2022 City Council meeting minutes. 1/19/2022 Ordinance 2022-02.

Visit www.corvallisoregon.gov/RHPupdate to register or update your rental property information or to request a Section 8 fee waiver. Please note: Failure to register a rental property can result in up to a $1000 fine per rental unit.

The City does not have the ability to change the outcome of the speed zone investigation. ODOT conducted the study per the requirements of state law which considers actual measured speeds when establishing posted speeds. However, in conjunction with ODOT performing the investigation, the City reviewed existing signs and striping on this corridor. The City is planning to implement several changes to coincide with the new speed limit signage in order to mitigate some of the concerns surrounding changes to posted speeds. When the City installs the new speed limit signs, we will also provide the following enhancements:

• New pedestrian crossing signs at the existing marked crosswalk at Lantana Drive.
• New pedestrian crossing signs at the existing marked crosswalk at Duniway Drive.
• A new marked crosswalk and pedestrian crossing signs at Dale Drive.
• New advisory speed signs added to the existing speed bump signage. Advisory speed signs will inform drivers that a speed lower than the legal limit is recommended as vehicles approach the bumps.
• A new radar speed feedback sign addressing northbound traffic as it transitions from the 35 MPH to the 30 MPH posted speed south of Witham Hill Drive

Voters mark their ballots in order of preference – 1st choice, 2nd choice, 3rd choice.

• Use blue or black pen.
• Fill in the ovals next to the candidates of your choice.
• Make only one choice per column.
• Do not skip columns.
• You may rank as few candidates as you would like.
• You may rank up to three candidates.

Voting instructions from Benton County.

No.  By default, the search results will show matches for any word within the phrase.  In this example, you would receive results for all web pages and documents that contained either the word alarm or the word permit or both.

In order to search on an exact phrase, enclose your search phrase in quotations.  The search results for "alarm permit" will show matches for that exact phrase.

Yes. An annual fee is assessed for each rental unit based on Municipal Code Section 8.03.300.065. The fee increases by one dollar every odd year. Property owners who receive partial or full payment through a Section 8 voucher may request a fee waiver.

The fee is a flat fee charged annually and is not pro-rated. A rule of thumb for landlords is, if the landlord anticipates they will collect rent for a unit any time during the year, they are subject to the full fee.

A lodging intermediary is a person, other than a provider, that facilitates the retail sale and charges for the occupancy of short term lodging. Lodging intermediaries include, but are not limited to, online travel companies, travel agents, and tour outfitter companies (such as Airbnb or Expedia). 

• AIRBNB, INC
• EGENCIA, LLC
• FERNWOOD CIRCLE
• HOTEL TONIGHT
• HOTELS.COM, LP
• HOTWIRE, INC
• NAT COR HOUSING
• ORBITZ, LLC
• PRICELINE.COM
• TRAVELSCAPE, LLC

Equipment can be picked up from the Public Works admin office, at 1245 NE 3rd St, Monday - Friday, between 8 am and 5 pm. Pickup should be arranged ahead of time with the Program Coordinator.

For the privilege of occupancy in any lodging, the occupant shall pay the Lodging Tax.

The Lodging Tax Collector shall remit the Lodging Tax for the City of Corvallis, Benton County, and State of Oregon to the Oregon Department of Revenue.

One parking stall will be removed at the southwest corner of 4^th Street and Harrison Boulevard. This vehicle space is part of a realignment of the street with the removal of the concrete bulb out and trees, providing a straight path for automobiles traveling along Harrison Boulevard. No other parking along Harrison Boulevard will be affected. Work on Tyler Avenue is limited to the corners of the intersections, where parking is already prohibited.

No. The existing speed bumps will remain in place and advisory speed signs will be added informing drivers that a lower speed is recommended around speed bumps compared to the new overall posted speed.

Yes.   You can exclude words by using the minus sign (-).   In order to find the results of all pages that have alarm in the result but not permit, you would search for alarm -permit.

You may mark out your name or any other identifiable information

1. Slow your speed as you approach the intersection. 15mph is ideal.
2. Stop in advance of the sidewalk if pedestrians are crossing.
3. Yield to vehicles that arrive first at the intersection.
   Yield to vehicles on the right if arriving at the same time.
4. Keep to the right and travel around the traffic circle in a counterclockwise direction.

Small changes can reduce you and your family’s exposure to PFAS chemicals. We may not be able to eliminate our exposure to PFAS, but there are ways to limit it. For example: avoid re-heating foods in fast food packaging and take-out containers; look for take-out food packaging that is certified by the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI); replace non-stick cookware with alternatives that don’t contain PFAS; look for “PFAS-Free” when buying waterproof or stain-resistant items, and dental floss, cosmetics, or other personal care products; and choose household cleaning product with EPA Safer Choice, UL Eco-Logo, or Green Seal labels. 

In addition to your bike, you can store gear like a helmet, bags, bike tools, bike clothing and shoes. 

A Home Energy Score Ordinance would require homeowners to get a home energy score from a certified home energy assessor before selling their home, if the home is going to be publicly advertised for sale.

Water will damage both the appearance and sealing capabilities of the slurry. Please refrain from watering lawns, washing cars, or engaging in similar activities that may cause water to enter the street on the day your street is slurry-sealed.

Yes. These items are prohibited:

• No sharps
• No illicit drugs
• No herbal remedies
• No vitamins or supplements
• No personal care products
• No medical devices
• No batteries
• No mercury-containing thermometers
• No pet pesticide products
• No animal medicines
• No biologics

Yes, your vote will still count, but it will not help your candidate's chances of winning. If a single candidate is selected for all three choices, it will be tallied as if you only ranked a first-choice candidate.

The TSAP is primarily funded through the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) federal grant program, administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Corvallis was awarded $664,000 for this initiative with the City contributing a required match of $110,000 plus $56,000 in in-kind support. This will build off of the strong foundation set in the 2019 TSP planning effort. This alignment with past planning efforts creates a unique opportunity for Corvallis to fill existing safety related gaps and advance the City’s transportation safety objectives through a data-driven, equity-oriented approach.

Length: 10’, Width: 44”, Height: 36”

Weight: 65 pounds

A minimum of 4 feet of space between the racks is recommended for comfortable maneuvering of bicycles.

If you exceed the maximum rental time of 7 days, the rental automatically ends and the door is locked (with everything inside). In order to retrieve your bike and any items in the locker, you will need to contact us.

The term “unit” is the equivalent to the number of individual leases held by a tenant or tenants. For example, if a five bedroom house is rented on a single agreement, it is one unit. If the same house is rented on 5 separate agreements, it is five units.  

The work will be completed later this year as weather and staffing allow.

No. If multiple candidates are chosen for the same ranking, the voter’s intent cannot be determined, and the ballot will not be considered.

Political signs shall be erected and maintained entirely on private property with the consent of the occupant of the premises.

No signs are permitted on public property, including rights-of-way, streets, boulevards, bridges, rights-of-way to bridges and streets, medians, parks, planting strips in front of parks, and any other public property.

The area between the sidewalk and the street is not private property; it is a public right-of-way and signs are not allowed.

Political signs shall not be erected prior to 60 days from the applicable election and shall be removed within 15 days after the election.

Corvallis Land Development Code Sections 4.7.50 and 4.7.70

A traffic circle is similar to an intersection with signals in which you need to signal the direction in which you are going to take. When turning right, you need to signal right, when going straight you do not signal, and when turning left or doing a U-turn you signal left. Whenever you exit a traffic circle you need to signal right to show you are exiting. Cyclists should use hand signals.

It should be noted that testing for PFAS compounds is currently limited. The City is testing for 29 PFAS compounds, including the six  compounds that the EPA is going to be regulating in drinking water.  The City is monitoring advancements in laboratory capabilities and will expand its PFAS compound testing as the industry shifts with improved analysis methodologies over time.

If it is a large amount of trash, you can arrange a pickup by City staff and place the bagged trash by the side of the path at a designated location. Otherwise, please bring the trash bags back to Public Works at the time of your equipment return.

The Rental Housing fee is established in Municipal Code Section 8.03.300.065.  The code states the annual fee will increase by $1 every odd numbered year. 

Residential rental properties within the City of Corvallis are assessed an annual Rental Housing fee. The fee is assessed on a per unit basis. Account balances that become 91 days old and 61 days past due are considered delinquent and are assessed a penalty fee of $100 per unit.

A property owner may appeal the penalty fee. Appeals are considered on a case-by-case basis. To appeal the penalty fee, please follow the directions below:

• If your total statement is $400 or less, contact the City Finance Department by phone (541-766-6990) or by email.
• If your total statement is $401 or more, submit your request to Housing and Neighborhood Services (HNS) Division here. A

Water systems have five years to comply with the EPA rule (see EPA Rule FAQ). The City of Corvallis does the following:  

• Drinking water: The City of Corvallis did voluntary PFAS and phthalates testing in drinking water twice in 2023 and will continue to test twice a year in 2024. PFAS and phthalates have not been detected in Corvallis drinking water. The official PFAS and phthalates tests required by the EPA will occur sometime in the Fall of 2024.

• Wastewater: The City tested wastewater for PFAS and phthalates four times in 2023 and will continue to do so in 2024. The City also tested biosolids from the wastewater treatment plant four times in 2023 and will continue to do so in 2024, to further investigate sources and levels PFAS.

Do not stop inside the traffic circle. If you have not yet entered the traffic circle, pull to the right and let the emergency vehicles pass you. If you are in the traffic circle, exit as normal, then pull to the right and let the emergency vehicle pass you.

It depends on the nature of the charge. If the fee is non-refundable, it is part of what the guest pays for occupancy and is therefore subject to Lodging Tax. Conversely, if the cleaning fee is fully refundable or withheld only for specific damages, it is not subject to Lodging Tax..

The City does not want to place undue financial hardship on lower income homeowners. Addressing this is a top priority for staff and Council. City staff is exploring ways to assist lower income home owners obtain a Home Energy Score. 

The new EPA rule—the final National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR)--establishes   legally enforceable levels for six PFAS known to occur individually and/or as mixtures in drinking water. EPA will regulate five PFAS as individually. They are PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFHxS, and HFPO-DA. EPA will regulate four PFAS as a mixture: PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA, and PFBS. PFAS can often be found together and in varying combinations as mixtures. Decades of research show mixtures of different chemicals can have additive health effects, even if the individual chemicals are each present at lower levels. With this rule, EPA has set limits for these chemicals individually and/or as mixtures. See the following FACT SHEET (epa.gov) for more information.

In Oregon, speed limits are set by and changed through specific procedures defined in state laws and regulations. The primary consideration of this process is the measured speeds of drivers on the street currently. This means that sometimes if a street is studied, the process may actually result in a higher speed limit being posted. The City may occasionally request review of speed limits through the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), however the process can take upwards of six months or more for a determination on whether or not any speed changes may occur. Information about the speed setting process in Oregon is available here.

Recent changes in state law now allow some cities in Oregon to complete speed studies themselves, subject to State oversight. However, the same statewide rules and regulations must be followed. Due to staff workloads and the time-consuming nature of speed studies, this is not something Corvallis plans to take on in the near future and will therefore continue to work with ODOT when considering speed limit evaluations.

At this time, before forwarding a request for a speed study to ODOT or not, the City considers the context of the street, recent speed data if available, changes to the street that may have an effect on speeds, law enforcement support, and the likelihood of the speed changing through the study process.

Contact the Benton County Elections Office for a replacement ballot.

The Benton County Election Office will tally ballots in accordance with the County and City’s ranked choice voting rules for implementation. A detailed description of the tallying process can be found on the Benton County’s Benton Better Ballot site.

Generally, there are no problems with snow or debris removal in traffic circle.

• Health care facilities, hospitals, long-term care facilities, and residential care facilities that are licensed, registered, or certified by Oregon Department of Human Services.
• Drug or alcohol abuse treatment facilities and mental health treatment facilities.
• Facilities with less than 30 days of rentals in a calendar year.  The exemption granted under this subsection does not apply to a dwelling unit that is rented out as a lodging using a lodging intermediary platform of any kind.    
• Any Facility whose rent is collected for the purpose of emergency or temporary shelter, with a voucher bearing the seal of the City of Corvallis, issued by a tax-exempt, non-profit charitable organization, as defined by the Oregon Department of revenue.  
• Nonprofit youth or church camps, nonprofit conference centers, and qualifying nonprofit facilities.

Please note, property owners who rent a residential unit on a month-to-month or fixed term basis are required to register their unit with the City’s Rental Housing Program. Visit the Rental Housing Program for more information.

The most effective way to report concerns or requests to the City is through the online Report A Problem system at http://www.corvallisoregon.gov/report Many transportation-related items reported to the City come in the form of a suggested or requested treatment. Staff will investigate and determine if there is an underlying issue that needs to be addressed and if the suggested or requested treatment is appropriate. If staff does find an issue, and believes it may warrant addressing, we may agree with the treatment proposed (if there was one) or choose a different one utilizing our best judgment. Issues needing to be addressed will have to compete with existing priorities, including staff time and budget. We have a limited range of tools within our annual budget. Examples of more easy improvements to implement include lower cost signs and pavement markings, when and where appropriate. However, please know that if the reported issue or request would require installation of substantial new features or could result in a larger project, the City does not typically have this type of un-budgeted funding readily available. These kinds of efforts are subject to the City’s annual public budgeting process and Council approval. You can learn more about the City’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP) here.

As part of its commitment to mitigating climate change and curbing emissions, the City sees this as an opportunity for community members to better understand their energy usage and to increase energy efficiency in the built environment in our community. The implementation of a home energy performance rating is an objective in both the City's Climate Action Plan (page 12), adopted in 2016, and the City's 2022-2026 Strategic Operational Plan (page 13). If the ordinance passes, Corvallis would be the fourth municipality in Oregon to require a Home Energy Score, following Portland, Milwaukie, and Hillsboro. 

PFAS have NOT been detected in Corvallis drinking water. According to the EPA, a home filter could be an effective way to reduce PFAS levels (EPA filter factsheet). Many water pitcher filters and other home-based water filters are able to reduce the levels of PFAS in drinking water. If you decide to use a filter, look for ones that are certified to reduce PFAS. Be aware that current filters on the market will not yet be certified to reduce PFAS to the new EPA standard, but the added filtration they provide can help reduce your exposure. It's important to note that the current certification standards for PFAS filters (as of April 2024) do not yet indicate that a filter will remove PFAS down to the levels EPA has now set for a drinking water standard.

When we analyze a span of road to implement a Neighborhood Bikeway, we look carefully at every element. Railroad crossings are no exception. We are aware that the condition of these crossings can pose a challenge for some street users. Although improvements may appear straightforward on the surface, crossings are actually located within railroad-owned land and require complex coordination, negotiation, approval, and agreements with the railroad and the State who regulates rail crossings. This makes the process very difficult, time consuming and quite expensive. So expensive, in fact, that the cost of crossing improvements alone can quickly surpass the budget for the entire project.

Due to the complexity of parties involved, high costs, and the desire to still advance other beneficial elements of the Neighborhood Bikeway network, we have elected to remove railroad crossings reconstruction from the current project phase. This does not preclude a later effort to attempt to tackle this complex work here and elsewhere.

The Lodging Tax is delinquent on the first working day of the month following each quarterly payment due date. Any lodging tax collector who has not been granted an extension of time for remittance of tax due, and who fails to remit lodging tax prior to delinquency shall pay a penalty. The penalty will be imposed in the same manner and the amount provided under ORS 314.400. 

The quality and safety of drinking water from wells that service fewer than 25 persons, such as most household wells, are not regulated by the federal government under the Safe Drinking Water Act nor by many state governments and laws. Furthermore, the City does not have groundwater quality information and does not monitor or regulate drinking water wells.

Private well owners are responsible for assuring safe drinking water for their households. See this FACT SHEET (epa.gov) for more information. If you want to test your well water, visit the Benton County OSU Extension Service’s Water Tests webpage for more information.

Parts per trillion is a unit of measure. It is a very tiny amount. For perspective, one part per trillion is the equivalent of four grains of sugar in an Olympic sized swimming pool (From EPA Factsheet).  

Approval for property zoning must be obtained from the City of Corvallis and Benton County Development Departments.

The City has received several inquiries from property owners interested in establishing short-term (vacation) rentals. Renting out an entire home for a short-term stay of less than 30 days, with no owner present, is classified in Chapter 3.0 of the City’s Land Development Code (LDC) as a Lodging Service use type. Lodging Services are permitted in a variety of commercial zones, however, they are not permitted within residential zoning districts. Property owners that would like to rent out rooms within their home may qualify as a Home Business. Home Businesses are permitted as accessory uses in a majority of the City’s residential zoning districts. Under the definition of Home Business in the LDC,“…Bed and Breakfast businesses that rent up to two bedrooms within owner occupied dwellings are considered to be Home Businesses and are an allowed use….”

City of Corvallis

Development Services

https://www.corvallisoregon.gov/ds

(541) 766-6929

development.services@corvallisoregon.gov

Benton County

Community Development

https://www.co.benton.or.us/lodgingtax/page/start-short-term-rental

(541) 766-6819

comdevinfo@co.benton.or.us

No, the City of Corvallis has a ‘Grandfathered lodging tax'. Local governments that imposed a lodging tax prior to January 1, 2001 are not required to offer a reimbursement for the costs of collecting the tax (also known as an Administrative Fee).

Conversely, Benton County has a ‘New lodging tax’. Local governments that imposed a new lodging tax on or after January 1, 2001 must allow collectors to retain a minimum of 5 percent of all collected tax revenues as reimbursement for the costs of collecting the tax.

Lodging taxes may be used for visitor information center(s), convention promotion and support, the administration of the lodging tax program and any other municipal purpose.

Questions related to filing and remitting taxes should be directed to the Oregon Department of Revenue.

Questions related to registration should be directed to the City of Corvallis Finance department.

Questions related to property zoning should be directed to the City of Corvallis and Benton County Development departments.

Please visit Oregon Department of Revenue https://www.oregon.gov/DOR/programs/businesses/Pages/lodging.aspx