Most City offices will be closed Friday, June 19, to observe Juneteenth

The City of Portland recognizes Juneteenth as a formal day of remembrance to honor Black American history and the end of slavery in the United States. Learn about Juneteenth.

Portland and the federal government

Learn about our sanctuary city status, efforts to block federal overreach: Portland.gov/Federal

Middle Housing Land Divisions

A middle housing land division (MHLD) allows you to divide a property into separate lots when developing certain housing types. This process is faster and has fewer approval requirements than a standard land division.

Two houses, a red one on the left and a black one on the right, with a walkway in betweenView full size image

Choose a housing type for your MHLD project

Middle Housing Land Divisions (MHLDs) apply only to certain types of residential development. This guide will help you determine what type of homes to build and how the lot should be divided.

How your project must be built

Development on an MHLD site must meet residential building code standards based on how you divide the property.

You must use the Oregon Residential Specialty Code (ORSC) to design your buildings.

Attached units must be designed to Townhouse standards.

Housing choices

Quick guide

  • Want attached homes that share walls? → Duplex, Triplex, or Fourplex
  • Want detached homes? → Detached Duplex or Cottage Cluster
  • Adding a new home on a lot with an existing house? → Detached Duplex
  • Building 3–16 detached homes around shared space? → Cottage Cluster

Duplex

What it is

Two homes (units) that share a wall.

How lots are divided

Each unit will be located its own lot, divided along the shared wall.

Building code

Townhouse construction (R302.2)

Permit type

  • New Single-Family Residential
  • One building permit per unit

Detached duplex

What it is

  • Two separate homes that are not attached.
  • One must be an existing house at least five years old before dividing.

How lots are divided

Each home will be located on its own lot. Buildings must meet the required separation from the new lot line as specified in the building code.

Building code

One-Family Dwelling (R302.1)

Permit type

  • New Single-Family Residential
  • One building permit per unit

Triplex or Fourplex

What it is

Three or four homes that share walls.

How lots are divided

Each unit will be located its own lot, divided along the shared wall.

Building code

Townhouse construction (R302.2)

Permit type

  • Residential Batch
  • One building permit per unit
  • Site development permit required

Cottage cluster

What it is

Three to 16 detached homes arranged around shared open space.

How lots are divided

Each home will be located on its own lot. Buildings must meet the required separation from the new lot line as specified in the building code.

Building code

One-Family Dwelling (R302.1)

Permit type

  • Residential Batch
  • One building permit per unit
  • Site development permit required

Next

Learn about how to apply for an MHLD with three applications.

Back Next page

See something we could improve on this page? Give website feedback.

Back to top