As used in ORS 358.480 to 358.545, unless the context requires otherwise:

1. (1)

   1. (a) “Commercial property” means improved real property that is used in a trade or business or held for the production of income, including but not limited to:

      1. (A) Single-family or multifamily residential rental property.
      2. (B) Office buildings, retail buildings, hotels, banks, restaurants, service outlets and dwelling units inside such buildings.
   2. (b) “Commercial property” does not mean an owner-occupied private residence.
2. (2) “Contributing resource” means a building, site or structure that adds to the historic significance of an historic property or historic district.
3. (3) “Date of application” means the date on which the State Historic Preservation Officer determines under ORS 358.490 that an application for classification and special assessment as historic property meets the requirements of ORS 358.487.
4. (4) “Governing body” means the city or county legislative body having jurisdiction over the property that is the subject of an application for classification and special assessment as historic property under ORS 358.480 to 358.545.
5. (5) “Historic rehabilitation standards” means the United States Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation as in effect on September 26, 2025.

6. (6) “Maintenance” means action taken to:

   1. (a) Mitigate wear and deterioration of an historic property without altering the historic character of the property; or
   2. (b) Protect and repair the condition of the property with the least possible impact on the historic character of the property.

7. (7)

   1. (a) “Owner” means:

      1. (A) A person holding fee simple absolute or fee simple defeasible estate title to real property as shown in the property tax records of the county in which the property is located, including, but not limited to, trusts, limited liability corporations and any other legally organized entity that may hold such title in the State of Oregon.
      2. (B) The purchaser of real property under a recorded land sale contract in force for the real property.
      3. (C) If the property is owned by the trustee of a revocable trust, the settlor of the revocable trust.
      4. (D) The trustee of an irrevocable trust.

   2. (b) “Owner” does not mean:

      1. (A) Individuals, partnerships, corporations or public agencies holding easements on the property or less than fee interests, including leaseholds, of any nature.
      2. (B) The life tenant of a life estate.
8. (8) “Owner’s legal representative” means a person who has the legal authority to act on behalf of the owner.

9. (9)

   1. (a) “Preservation” means the act or process of applying measures necessary to sustain the existing form, integrity and materials of an historic property, including but not limited to the ongoing maintenance and repair of historic materials.
   2. (b) “Preservation” does not include the extensive replacement of historic materials or new construction.
10. (10) “Preservation plan” means a written document, photographs and drawings that outline the work of preservation, maintenance and rehabilitation that is proposed for completion during the period for which the property is granted special assessment as historic property.
11. (11) “Rehabilitation” means the process of repairing or altering an historic property in order to return the property to a state of utility in which an efficient contemporary use is possible, while preserving those portions and features of the property that are significant to the historic, architectural and cultural values of the property.
12. (12) “Seismic improvement” means construction or other measures that improve the seismic performance or structural stability of property or that reduce the potential for heavy structural damage to property or harm to people in or adjacent to the property in the event of an earthquake.

Note: The amendments to 358.480 by section 1, chapter 209, Oregon Laws 2025, apply to applications for classification and special assessment under 358.480 to 358.545 filed on or after September 26, 2025, for property tax years beginning on or after July 1, 2026. See section 22, chapter 209, Oregon Laws 2025. The text that applies to applications for classification and special assessment under 358.480 to 358.545 filed before September 26, 2025, for property tax years beginning before July 1, 2026, is set forth for the user’s convenience.

[1975 c.514 §2; 1983 c.720 §1; 2001 c.540 §2; 2009 c.892 §2; 2025 c.209 §1]