Inside the Alfalfa Market Road Land Listing
If you’ve been searching for land for sale in Central Oregon with actual usable water, not just a “water rights possible” footnote, this 30-acre parcel on Alfalfa Market Road in NE Bend is worth a close look. It’s one of the harder combinations to find in Deschutes County right now: a deeded well water right, a producing well already in the ground, EFUAL zoning that allows a short-term rental, and adjacenct to BLM land, all on a single, paved-access parcel, listed at $495,000.
Below is everything a builder, ag buyer, or land investor needs to evaluate the property, plus straight answers to the questions buyers always ask about Central Oregon land deals.
Why This Parcel Stands Out in Today’s Central Oregon Land Market
Most raw land listings around Bend force a buyer to gamble on water. This one doesn’t. The seller already did the expensive, slow, uncertain part: drilling a 760+ ft well that tests clean and yields 20 gallons per minute, and securing a deeded irrigation water right through Central Oregon Irrigation District with a 1990 priority date. A 2017 OWRD transfer (T-12263) further authorizes nursery operations on the water right, which matters if you’re evaluating this for plant production, a hobby farm, or a future agricultural business.
Septic approval has been previously approved, along with a previous dwelling approval, two of the most common holdups for land buyers in unincorporated Deschutes County. It can be done!
EFUAL Zoning: What It Actually Means for a Buyer
EFUAL stands for Exclusive Farm Use – Alfalfa, one of Deschutes County’s farm-use zoning designations. A few things buyers should know:
- There’s no current farm deferral on the property, meaning a new owner who establishes a qualifying agricultural use could apply for farm deferral, which can meaningfully reduce assessed (and therefore taxed) value going forward.
- EFUAL zoning allows short-term rentals, which is increasingly rare in Deschutes County as the county has restricted STR permitting in many other zones.
- Farm-use zoning has specific rules around dwelling approval, accessory structures, and land division. Buyers planning to build should confirm their intended use against current Deschutes County Community Development requirements before closing.
Location: NE Bend, BLM-Adjacent
The parcel sits in NE Bend off Alfalfa Market Road near Dodds Road, with paved road access via an easement, which isn’t a given on rural Central Oregon acreage, where gravel and unmaintained roads are common. It backs up to BLM land, opening up direct access to public land for riding, hiking, or simply having no neighbors on one side. Cascade Mountain views are visible from the building site in the northwest corner of the lot.
Who This Property Fits
- Builders looking for a buildable 30-acre site with utilities and water already solved
- Equestrian and hobby-farm buyers drawn to the irrigation rights, greenhouses, and BLM access for riding
- Agricultural operators, particularly nursery or small-scale growers, given the 2017 OWRD nursery-use authorization
- STR investors evaluating EFUAL’s allowance for short-term rental use
- Land investors interested in the farm-deferral upside once a qualifying use is established
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there water on this Bend, Oregon land for sale? Yes. The property has both an installed well (approximately 760–770 feet deep, yielding 20 gallons per minute with a clean water test) and a deeded irrigation water right for 1.9 acres through Central Oregon Irrigation District, with a priority date of October 12, 1990.
What does EFUAL zoning mean in Deschutes County? EFUAL stands for Exclusive Farm Use – Alfalfa. It’s a farm-use zoning designation that permits agricultural use, allows short-term rentals, and has specific rules for dwelling approval and accessory structures. Buyers should verify their intended use with Deschutes County Community Development.
Can you build a house on this property? The property has an existing dwelling approval along with approved septic (AYPROND 2021), which supports residential construction. Buyers should confirm current building requirements with the county before finalizing plans.
Is this land good for horses or agriculture? Yes. The property has been marketed with strong horse-property potential due to its size, BLM adjacency for riding, and irrigation water rights. It also has a 2017 OWRD transfer specifically authorizing nursery operations, making it suited to small-scale agricultural or plant production use.
Does this property have farm tax deferral? Not currently. There is no farm deferral in place, which means annual taxes (currently around $4,200) are based on standard assessment. A new owner who establishes a qualifying farm use could apply for farm deferral, which would lower the assessed value used for taxation.
Is short-term rental allowed on this property? Yes. The EFUAL zoning on this parcel currently allows short-term rental use, which is notable given how restricted STR permitting has become elsewhere in Deschutes County.
How do I get more information or schedule a showing? Contact listing agent Kim Halverson at Cascade Hasson Sotheby’s International Realty for showing availability and documentation, including the well report and water rights certificate. The property is listed at $495,000.
This post is for informational purposes. Buyers should independently verify zoning, water rights, well and septic status, and farm-deferral eligibility with Deschutes County and Central Oregon Irrigation District before purchase.
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