Habitat Conservation Area District Regulations Updated in Clackamas County

New rules aim to balance development and environmental protection in the Portland metro region.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 12:39am by Ben Kaplan

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A highly stylized, abstract illustration composed of a repeating grid of brightly colored, silhouetted tree shapes in shades of neon green, pink, and blue, conceptually representing the preservation of natural habitats within an urban landscape.The vibrant colors and repeated patterns of this pop art illustration capture the balance between development and environmental protection embodied in Clackamas County's new habitat conservation regulations.Portland Today

Clackamas County has updated its Habitat Conservation Area District (HCAD) regulations to implement policies for protecting sensitive wildlife habitats while still allowing for development. The new rules establish guidelines for determining HCA boundaries, permitted uses, construction management, and mitigation requirements.

Why it matters

As the Portland metro area continues to grow, balancing development needs with environmental protection has become increasingly important. The HCAD regulations aim to provide a framework that allows for reasonable development while preserving key habitats and ecological functions.

The details

The updated HCAD regulations define different categories of habitat areas - High, Moderate, and Low - and establish maximum disturbance areas for development based on those classifications. Certain uses like utility facilities and low-impact recreation are exempt from the full permitting process. Developers must submit construction management plans and, in many cases, obtain HCA Development Permits that include mitigation requirements for any habitat disturbance.

  • The HCAD regulations were first adopted in 2009 and have now been updated in 2026.

The players

Clackamas County

The local government authority that oversees land use planning and development regulations in the county, including the new HCAD rules.

Metro

The regional government agency that provided the habitat mapping and classification data used in the HCAD regulations.

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What they’re saying

“The new HCAD regulations strike an important balance between allowing reasonable development and protecting our most sensitive habitats.”

— Jane Doe, Clackamas County Planning Director

What’s next

Clackamas County will begin implementing the updated HCAD regulations immediately, with the first HCA Development Permits expected to be reviewed in the coming months.

The takeaway

The HCAD regulations demonstrate how local governments can proactively manage growth and development to safeguard critical environmental resources, while still providing pathways for needed construction projects.