<br /> <br />Frequently Asked Questions: Annexations in Eugene <br /> <br />What is annexation? <br />Annexation (sometimes also called “incorporation”) is the legal process by which properties become part <br />of a city. After annexation, a property will be inside the city limits and is no longer under county <br />jurisdiction. In the City of Eugene, annexations must be approved by the Eugene City Council. <br /> <br />Why do properties annex to the City? <br />Typically, annexations to the City of Eugene are initiated by the property owner to obtain a service or <br />right that the City provides. The comprehensive plan for Eugene, the Eugene‐Springfield Metropolitan <br />Area General Plan (or “Metro Plan”), says that Eugene will be the ultimate provider for urban services for <br />all areas inside Eugene’s Urban Growth Boundary (UGB). If a property owner wants to divide or develop <br />a property, or wants to have new City services, the property must be first annexed to the City. Typical <br />services requested include sanitary sewer, EWEB water, city police or fire protection, library services, and <br />the ability to vote in city elections. <br /> <br />Who approves annexations? <br />The Eugene City Council must approve all annexations in Eugene. Applications will be submitted and fees <br />will be paid to the City of Eugene’s Planning Department. <br />Who can Annex to the City? <br />Land proposed to be annexed must be within the city’s UGB and contiguous to the city limits or <br />separated from the city only by public right of way or a stream, bay, lake or other body of water. <br /> <br />Will my taxes go up if I annex to the City? <br />Yes. City taxes are higher than the taxes in unincorporated areas, but the level of services is higher, too. <br />To find out how your particular taxes may change, you should contact the Lane County Office of <br />Assessment and Taxation (541‐682‐4321). <br />Why does the City look for logical and appropriate street segments to annex? <br />Since the Metro Plan indicates that all lands inside Eugene’s UGB will some day be part of the city, it <br />makes sense to have city streets provide access and utilities to properties within the city limits. Having <br />streets within the city limits allows the city greater control over water and sewer line extension and <br />repair, storm drainage, traffic speed control, and traffic enforcement. The City also provides a higher <br />level of emergency services from the police and fire departments to incidents occurring in the road <br />rights‐of‐way. As urban development continues and properties are annexed, there is more opportunity <br />and a greater public need for assuring connectivity and access, rather than isolated and incremental <br />efforts to acquire road rights‐of‐way as in the past. <br /> <br />Will the City charge properties along a street for improvements if the street is annexed? <br />No, not as a result of annexation. The City usually initiates the type of street improvements that result in <br />assessments of adjacent properties only if the owners of property representing more than 50 percent of