The Oregon constitutional amendment creating county home rule passed in 1958. Since then, nine of thirty-six Oregon counties, including Josephine in 1980, have adopted home rule and created their own county charters. This allows counties to modify the administrative and operational structures and procedures of local government, such as how county commissioners are elected and how county departments are organized.  Home rule counties can enact local ordinances concerning public health, safety, and welfare.

Counties cannot override state laws. They must still operate within the framework of Oregon statutes and the state constitution. Home rule is not full autonomy. Counties can refine governance but cannot legislate independently on broader matters such as taxation, criminal law, elections, education, or environmental regulation unless explicitly authorized by the state. Home rule would be better stated as home organization.