MEDFORD, Ore. (Oct. 21, 2026) — The city of Medford is considering changes to its municipal development code that could significantly restrict where new car washes are permitted, including potentially prohibiting the businesses in certain commercial zones and near major intersections.
The proposed changes, identified as Car Wash Code Amendment 2.0 (DCA-26-166), would amend Chapter 10 of the Medford Municipal Code. City planning officials have outlined four options for consideration, ranging from additional development restrictions to maintaining existing regulations.
According to planning documents dated Oct. 21, the city is evaluating whether to prohibit car washes in areas designated as Community Commercial (C-C), establish minimum distances between car washes and major street intersections, or implement both restrictions.
Under the first option, car washes would no longer be permitted in the city’s Community Commercial zoning district. The proposed amendment would modify the city’s existing land-use regulations governing automotive services while leaving provisions for car washes in other eligible commercial and industrial zones.
A second option would prohibit car washes on properties located within either 250 or 500 feet of certain major intersections. The proposed restrictions would apply when any portion of a property falls within the designated distance, measured in a straight line from the center of the intersection.
The proposal defines qualifying intersections as locations where two or more streets classified as regional arterials, major arterials, minor arterials, major collectors or minor collectors intersect. Those classifications are established through the city’s Transportation System Plan.
A third option would combine both restrictions, prohibiting car washes in Community Commercial zones and within the designated distances of qualifying intersections.
The fourth option would leave the city’s existing car wash development regulations unchanged.
The proposed restrictions could affect the availability of commercial properties for future car wash development, particularly along major transportation corridors and at prominent intersections throughout Medford.
Under the draft language, car washes proposed on commercial or industrial properties adjacent to residentially zoned land or residential uses would remain subject to conditional-use permit requirements and applicable special standards.
The city has not selected a preferred option, and the proposed amendments remain under review.
As part of the review process, the Medford Planning Department has distributed the proposal to numerous agencies and departments, including city engineering officials, the Medford Police Department, Medford Fire Department, Oregon Department of Transportation and Rogue Valley Transportation District.
Those agencies have been asked to review the proposed changes and provide written comments identifying any conditions or concerns related to their respective responsibilities.
The proposal is scheduled for consideration during a Land Development Committee meeting Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 9:30 a.m. The meeting will be conducted virtually through Zoom.
The review represents a preliminary step in the city’s consideration of potential changes to its car wash development standards. Any amendments would require further action through the applicable municipal approval process before becoming effective.
For now, the four options remain under consideration, and no changes to the city’s existing car wash regulations have been adopted as part of this proposal.
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