The City of Albany is applying for the Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing (PRO Housing) federal grant. The PRO Housing grant program is dedicated to helping communities remove barriers to affordable housing production and preservation. For more information about the PRO Housing grant, please refer to the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s PRO Housing website.
The City is seeking $2.5 million to establish an Affordable Housing Fund to incentivize affordable housing and implement strategies to remove barriers to equitable housing choice. The grant will help Albany address a severe shortage of housing affordable to households below 100 percent of the area median income (AMI), by removing land use barriers to housing, identifying and addressing barriers to fair housing choice, and incentivizing the construction of new affordable housing units.
View the grant application materials:
Comment on the grant:
- Email comments to
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by 5 p.m. September 30, 2024. - Provide comments at the September 25, 2024, 6:00 p.m. City Council public hearing. To comment virtually, email
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by noon September 25 or comment in person at Albany City Hall in the Albany City Council Chambers at 333 Broadalbin St SW.
The City of Albany promotes fair housing and makes all programs available to low- and moderate-income residents regardless of age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual preference, marital status, or disabilities. For more information and to request translation of any materials, or if translation services are needed to participate in public hearings or meetings, please email
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When will public hearings for these annexations be held?
Hearings for these annexations are scheduled for December 2023 – February 2024.
What are the benefits of annexing to the City?
The benefit to annexing is different for each property. In most cases the leading benefit to annexation is more development options than the current county zoning allows.
Additional benefits to annexation are:
- Access to one or more major urban services. These services include City water and sanitary and storm sewers.
- Improved access to public libraries and parks and recreation programs (out-of-city residents typically pay more).
- Elimination of confusion over which agency to call in the case of a service concern (city sewer, city water, land use, police, etc., would all be addressed by the same unit of government).
- Participation in local government (voting on City issues and in City elections)
How much does annexation cost?
The city is not charging any fees for the proposed annexations. Normally, when a property owner submits an application to annex their land, there are fees for the Annexation Application, Zone Change Application and at times a Comprehensive Map Amendment. Those fees can range from $5,732 to $7,747. No fees will be charged for the cost of annexation, assignment of city zoning, or public hearing notices.
When will the annexation take effect?
For property owners that are willing to be included in the City’s island annexation process, the annexation will take effect at the time the City Council approves an ordinance proclaiming the annexation.
What happens after annexation?
Your property will be incorporated into the City and assigned a city zoning designation. Some of the tax rates on your annual property tax statement will change. The 2022-2023 Summary of Assessment and Tax Roll provides tax rates in dollars per thousand of taxable valued prior to Measure 5 compression. Island properties are currently taxed at a rate of $14.5355 per $1,000 of taxable value. Upon annexation the tax rate would become $20.1907 per $1,000 of taxable value. Please contact the Linn County Assessment and Taxation office at 541-967-3808 for any additional questions concerning your property taxes.
Some of your services may change. However, you should not experience any interruption in service either before, during, or after annexation. The City will notify all existing service providers of your property's annexation into the City. Some of the uses or structures on your property may not conform to the City's zoning code. This is okay and not unusual. Having a nonconforming use or structure will not prevent you from annexing or continuing to use your property. Future development on your property, such as a land division, home remodel, or new driveway, will be subject to the City's permitting requirements and the Albany Development Code.
What will my zoning designation be if annexation is successful? How can I change it?
Upon annexation, the property will be incorporated into the City and assigned a City zoning designation. The zoning designation will be based on Comprehensive Plan designations and what properties surrounding the island properties are zoned as, for example, if surrounding properties are zoned Single-Family Residential 5,000 square feet (RS-5), your property will most likely be zoned RS-5. Some properties are not abutting one specific zone where it may be clear what the zoning would be. In these cases, we will work with the property owners to find a zoning designation that matches the Comprehensive Map and would fit the existing or proposed use of the property.
Property owners who wish to change the zone on their property to a different designation after annexation would be required to apply for a separate zone change. This additional application would be at the expense of the applicant and may require additional applications including but not limited to a comprehensive map change.
Will I be required to hook up to City utility services right away (water, stormwater and/or sanitary sewer)?
No. The City will not force you to connect to city services simply because your property has been annexed. While there are several triggers for requiring connections, annexation alone is not one of them. If you would like to discuss utility connection opportunities or requirements, please contact Public Works – Engineering at 541-917-7676.
Who should I contact if I have more questions?
Contact David Martineau, Current Planning Manager, at 541-917-7555,
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Tutorials & Guides
Updates to e-Permitting in Accela Citizen Access
Here are the services offered though our e-Permitting site:
Building Permit Applications
You are now able to apply for all building permits, provide construction documents, and pay for review fees in a single transaction.
Public Works Applications
We are also excited you can now apply for Encroachment and Erosion Prevention and Sediment Control applications.
ePlans (Electronic Plan Review)
Electronic plan review is integrated into this system allowing you to create an application, submit your plans, and monitor application status without waiting for an invitation or using a separate system.
Updated Record Statuses
Better track your projects through the process with clearer record statuses: know when an application may have been deemed incomplete, when a plan review letter is available, when fees are due, and when the permit is issued. A full list and definitions of existing and new statuses is available in our guides and tutorials above.
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With sunny weather, we in Albany turn to thoughts of outdoors and backyards. Maybe you're ready to replace or add a deck, patio cover, or some other outdoor enhancement to your home.
Depending on the project, permits or land use approvals may be required. The Community Development Department’s Building Division has identified some common projects that may or may not require building permits.
Patio Covers
Patio covers are a great way to create seasonal outdoor living space. Smaller patio covers may be exempt from permitting requirements. Larger patio covers will require permits, and in most cases, an engineer or architect’s design.
Patio covers meeting all of the following criteria would not require building permits:
- 200 square feet or less; and
- Supported by an exterior wall of the adjacent building; and
- Has a height of 12 feet or less; and
- On the longest exterior wall and one additional exterior wall, 65 percent of the walls are open or enclosed with glass, other opaque material, or screen below 80-inches in height; and
- Cover does not extend into the required setback from the property line to comply with the Albany Development Code; but not less than three feet for the building code.
Decks and Patios
Decks and patios provide a great place to play and enjoy your yard.
Decks and patios that are entirely within 30 inches of the ground do not require permits, where no point within 36 inches out from the deck’s edge exceeds the 30 inch height.
Two story decks and decks 30 inches or more above the ground would require a building permit.
Retaining Walls
As you are sprucing up your landscaping or performing a backyard makeover, retaining walls that exceed four feet in height from the footing to the top of the wall will require a building permit.
Smaller walls that support structures, driveways, and uphill slopes will also require building permits.
Accessory Structures
Most accessory structures will require a building permit.
Smaller accessory structures for tool sheds, shops, gazebos, pergola, carports, and garages less than 200 square feet and less than 15 feet tall do not require a permit; however, they do need to comply with setbacks from the property line. The height limitation is measured from the ground to the average height of the highest roof. Structures that are used for living space, regardless of size, will require a building permit.
When considering a new accessory structure, please keep in mind many purchased at the home improvement stores and similar resellers will not meet building code requirements. Often these structures require alterations or engineering to meet building code requirements during the permitting process.
Fences
Fences do not require a permit, but in most residential areas have a maximum height. Fences near the front yard have other height limitations.
Prior to placing a fence, we recommend talking with staff for more details.
When building permits are not required, the project will still need to comply with setbacks, land use requirements, and other requirements of the Albany Development Code and Albany Municipal Code.
Questions?
For questions about your project, contact the Community Development staff:
541-917-7550
Staff are available from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to assist with permitting requirements or questions you may have about your projects.
Additional handouts and guides can be found at cd.cityofalbany.net.
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All building, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, encroachment, and Erosion Prevention and Sediment Control permit applications are available at the City of Albany’s ePermitting site. You are able to apply, upload your plans, and pay any required plan review fees in a single transaction.
Documents submitted to the City of Albany are generally presumed to be public records subject to inspection and copying upon request.
Other forms and checklists
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