Recreation Residences
Mt. Hood National Forest is home to 549 privately-owned recreation residence cabins located in the Zigzag Ranger District. The cabin program has a rich past dating back to 1915, and continues today as a unique example of living history on the forest.
Questions? Contact Us!
For all inquiries and project proposals, contact Bree Ellison, Recreation Residence Program Manager, or the Rec Res Team: sm.fs.mthcabins@usda.gov
Current Cabin Owners
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Project Proposals
Cabin owners must receive written approval from the Forest Service before starting any project that disturbs the soil or that affects the exterior of the cabin, as outlined in their Special Use Term Permit. The first step in the project approval process is to complete and submit a Project Proposal form.
Endangered Species Act – Critical Habitat
Per the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and the Northwest Forest Plan, the Mt. Hood National Forest is legally mandated to manage our ESA Critical Habitat and riparian reserves in a way that maintains and restores the ecological health of watersheds and aquatic ecosystems within the Forest boundaries. NOAA Fisheries, also known as National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), is the regulatory agency that oversees, enforces, and set these regulations.
For recreation residences, this may result in restricting certain activities that could threaten the ecological health of Critical Habitat or riparian reserves, including projects that involve excavation, grading, land filling, construction of a new structure, or construction of an enlarged structure.
All project proposals should be submitted for review during a period called “Open Season,” which lasts from August 15 through November 15 each year.
- If you have a complex project (such as a rebuild, addition, or major infrastructure project), it’s advised that you submit it during the Open Season the year before you would like to begin work. Keep in mind that some projects will only be authorized for completion during the “dry season.”
- Emergency repairs are an exception and can be submitted year-round – and will be reviewed in the month that they are submitted (with the expectation of a 60-day service standard from request to authorization).
- There can be other exceptions to these norms, but it’s best to err on the side of caution and submit a project proposal as early as possible.
Recreation Residence Standards and Guidelines
Have a downed tree or a potential hazard tree? Please review the following documents for guidance on addressing these situations:
Prospective Cabin Owners
Five Key Things to Know about Recreation Cabin Ownership and Permits
- The Forest can only issue a permit to an individual or married couple. Several people can own a cabin together, but one person must officially be the “permittee.” This is also the person we will need to receive requests from, and who we will communicate with during project work.
- Cabins cannot be used for commercial purposes, as retreats for companies, and are very limited in their ability to be “rented” (30-day max, with stipulations).
- A cabin can be owned by a trust, but we have very specific policy and examples of trusts that will work.
- The permit does not come with rights associated with the land. This is a private structure on public land and the deed must reflect that.
- Any project work that disturbs the soil or is on the exterior of the cabin (roof, windows, paint, deck, etc.) must be submitted as a proposal, undergo a review process that can vary in length, and then be approved by the Forest Service in writing and in advance.
**Current fires, fire restrictions, and Industrial Fire Precaution Levels**
The Forest Service and the Hoodland Rural Fire District (HRFD) are dedicated to minimizing the risk to life, personal property, and the Forest by keeping the Recreation Residence area fire-safe. You, the Recreation Resident, are the key. Your recreation residence is only used and maintained for part of the year. This fact requires that certain precautions be used to keep your recreation residence fire-safe.
Residence
- Place lot number at driveway entrance on 4” x 4” post and on cabin.
- Remove sticks, needles, moss, etc. from roof to prevent burning creosote fragments from igniting material.
- Clear brush at least 10 feet from cabin.
- Ensure electrical wires are properly installed and maintained.
- Remove burnable items from under deck, in crawl space or next to cabin.
- The face of your Special-Use Permit includes your five-digit address. It can be displayed on your lot post. This address is helpful to utility companies and necessary for telephone installation.
Fireplace & Wood Stove
- Inspect the fireplace after a period of non-use, inside and outside, for any defects in masonry, flue-liner, etc., before starting a fire.
- Clean chimney, inside and outside, of debris, moss, etc. Start the fire low and gradually build up its intensity.
- Burn only dry natural materials. Plastics, asphalt tile, rubber, wet wood, etc., may cause a creosote build-up.
- Cover chimneys with a screen spark arrester made of wire mesh with 1/4” to 1” holes. Any holes less than 1/4” will cause smoke build-up in the house.
- Clear branches from chimney exit ten feet above and five feet on the sides.
- Have your chimney swept periodically. Hoodland Rural will loan you chimney brushes.
- Inspect your flue-liner for cracks or other damage at least every five years.
- Caulk any cracks in the masonry with appropriate material.
- Install fireplaces and woodstoves to building and safety code specifications.
If You Suspect a Flue Fire, CALL 9-1-1
- If the fire department must respond to an alarm at your home with no noticeable fire and no one is present, the fire department will enter your home by an upstairs window if it's a two-story home or by a small downstairs window. You will be notified as soon as possible.
Driveways & Roads
- Keep driveways open. Gates do not deter burglars, but they do delay fire equipment and personnel. (We do not allow chain or cable gates.)
- If you have a gate, allow at least 15 feet for fire equipment access down the driveway.
- Provide adequate turning radius at road/driveway intersection for fire equipment.
- Keep the main road open for fire equipment access to your house and others by parking well off the main road. The fire department prefers to get its equipment within 200 feet of your home to suppress a structure fire.
Outside Burning
- Before burning forest debris, contact Hoodland Rural Fire Department (503-622-3256) for a burning permit and burn day status.
- Cover permanent outdoor grills that have chimneys with screen spark arresters.
- Burn only natural materials, no asphalt, rubber, plastic, etc.
- Pile debris in cleared area - minimum brush, away from house, no powerline or limbs above.
- Have shovel, water, and observer available.
- Never leave a burning pile unattended and make sure fire is out before leaving.
- You are liable for damage to the forest and your neighbor's property, if fire escapes.
Hydrants
- Hydrants near the summer homes will not be used to supply water for structure fires. The volume and pressure are not adequate. These hydrants are used for water system maintenance. The fire department's trucks contain their own water supply.
In Case of Fire – Dial 9-1-1
- Provide your name, and your Road and Lot number. Your 5-digit address will appear on the Dispatcher's screen. If you call from a neighbor's phone, provide the 9-1-1 dispatcher with your 5-digit address.
- Provide a physical description of cabin (not just color)
- Provide characteristics of the fire – i.e., electrical fire, flue fire, escaped burning pile, grease fire, etc.
Telephone Numbers:
- Fire/Ambulance/Police: 9-1-1
- Burning Permit: (503) 622-3256 (Hoodland Rural Fire Department)
- Zigzag Ranger District: (503) 622-3191; (503) 668-1704