Page 3 - Rural Tourism Report Washington County

About the Study

Introduction

Current state law, enacted through Senate Bill 960 (2011), allows Oregon counties to develop
a regulatory framework for agricultural tourism, or “agritourism,” on lands designated for
exclusive farm use. Several years ago, Washington County explored community preferences
regarding adoption of agritourism regulations and various implementation alternatives within
it. That outreach revealed diverse views, suggesting the need for a broader look at rural tour-
ism activities beyond those covered by the bill.

As a result, in 2014 the Washington County Board of Commissioners directed initiation of this
study, funded in part by the Washington County Visitors Association. It was conducted and
documented by consultant MARStewart Group, with subcontractors Cogan Owens Greene,

Nelson Nygaard, and the Bookin Group; and by Long Range Planning staff from Washington
County’s Department of Land Use & Transportation.

Outside the urban growth boundary, protection of the County's rich and vital farmlands is

foremost. With that in mind, this study's purpose is discovery. It is intended to help clarify
existing and prospective opportunities for rural interests to promote products and services,
for tourists and the greater community to enjoy the scenic beauty of rural Washington County
and support local farms and culture, and to help the County plan for rural tourism as it grows
and evolves here.

This study considers rural tourism in a broad sense, as activities above and beyond traditional
farm use that draw visitors to rural lands. It explores existing, trending, and desired conditions
for agriculture, tourism, and their interface in the county's rural areas; best practices for man-
aging potential conflicts among tourism, farm, and residential uses; and related current and

potential regulations. It examines the diversity of rural land use districts, types of agricultural
and tourism operations and scales, and citizen perspectives.

Methodology

This study employs standard statistical research/analysis methods, drawing from a number
of sources, as well as outreach through a citizen work group, focus group, rural tourism site
operators who agreed to serve as case studies, and personal interviews. Those interviewed
included a sample of farmers, ranchers, winemakers, rural tourism practitioners, and oth-
er commercial interests and residents reflecting a diverse range of rural locations, land use
districts, practices, and perspectives. The focus group and consultant-led interviews were
designed to provide all participants the opportunity to safely raise ideas, concerns, hopes,
and goals. To ensure a free flow of information, County staff did not attend these. As part of
additional research on rural sites that publicize some form of visitor invitation, County staff

conducted a mix of web research and phone interviews with a separate roster of site owners/
operators, maintaining anonymity in this report where information is presented graphically.

WASHINGTON COUNTY RURAL TOURISM STUDY i