It describes a community's resources and features. It must address all of the topics specified in the applicable statewide goals. The other part is the policy element. That part of the plan sets forth the community's long-range objectives and the policies by which it intends to achieve them. The policy element of each community's plan is adopted by ordinance and has the force of law.
Local plans evolve as a result of two processes, plan amendment and periodic review.
Periodic reviews are broad evaluations of an entire plan that occur every four to ten years. A plan may be modified extensively after such a review. Each local plan is accompanied by a set of implementing measures. There are many different kinds, but the two most common implementing measures are zoning and land-division ordinances. Every city and county in Oregon has adopted such land-use controls.