Pre-Application Conferences

For most development proposals, applicants must attend a pre-application conference with the City before submitting a development application. To find out if your proposal requires a pre-application meeting, please contact the Planning Department at 503-656-3535.

Pre-application conferences are intended to give Applicants the opportunity to meet with City staff before formally submitting a development application. During these sessions, staff provide information about submission requirements, approval criteria, site development considerations, and process. These meetings are not public hearings and are not intended as forums for public comment on specific proposals. However, if time allows, community members may attend to ask staff general questions about the West Linn Development Code and application requirements. If an Applicant chooses to move forward with a formal development application, the public will have the opportunity to review the proposal and provide comments during the designated public comment period.

Pre-application conferences are scheduled by staff on the first and third Thursdays of each month between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., subject to staff capacity. Requests for a conference slot must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. at least 15 days before the requested conference date. If staff capacity is limited, the conference will be scheduled for the next available date. Applicants may choose either an in-person or virtual meeting format.

The conference fee for simpler development proposals is $420.00. The fee for more complex proposals that require an engineering review is $1,200.00. Once the pre-application request is submitted, staff will determine the fee and call the applicant to collect a credit card payment over the phone. Checks may be mail it to City Hall or drop it off at City Hall during counter hours.

The applicant must provide written permission from the property owner to schedule the conference.

The pre-application fee, preliminary proposal, and a request form with the property owner's signature are required to book the appointment. After the conference, the planner will prepare a written summary within 10 days. Pre-application notes are valid for 18 months. After 18 months, with no application approved or in process, a new pre-application conference is required.

Submit all pre-application materials through the Submit a Land Use Application webpage.

To schedule a pre-application conference, provide the following materials:

• application form with property owners signature(s);
• a written statement providing a detailed description of the proposal including the changes to the site, structure, landscaping, parking and land use;
• a preliminary site plan with:
  • Address of the project,
  • Area of the site (acres or square feet),
  • Location of existing public and private utilities, easements, and 100-year floodplain (if known),
  • Sensitive areas, including the location of on-site wetlands and riparian areas  (if known),
  • Configuration and dimensions of all existing and proposed lots and tracts, including proposed park, open space, and or drainage tracts or easements,
  • Location and dimensions of existing and proposed buildings, structures,
  • Internal circulation system, name and location of existing and proposed roadways and roadway easements (private and public),
  • Location of existing and proposed driveways and off-street parking,
  • Location and width of existing and proposed pedestrian walkways,
  • Location and width of existing and proposed easement for access, drainage, etc.,
  • Location of existing and proposed trees and other landscaping to be planted at the site; and 
• Fee. The City will call to collect a credit card payment or pay with a check.

PLANNING DEPARTMENT Counter Hours  - Monday – Thursday:  9:00 am to Noon

Contact the Planning Department at 503-742-6061 or lschroder@westlinnoregon.gov if you have any questions.