Hood River County has made it legal for couples to tie the knot in scenic settings at farms, bred and breakfast lodgings and wineries. Although weddings and other related activities — such as musical entertainment — have been taking place for years, they were not previously allowed. Once the legality problem in the county’s land-use plan came to light last year, officials decided to draft an ordinance that addressed the issue in depth. They wanted to protect the income of “mom and pop” businesses as well as the quality of life for nearby residents.

The new county code allows owner/operators of wineries, farms and B&Bs to host social events only as a secondary income. Noise and traffic is regulated by restricting commercial events to one day. The guest list is limited to 300 individuals and a detailed parking plan must be provided before a conditional use permit will be issued. — Hood River News, June 16, 2004