New 2021 Oregon Energy Efficiency Specialty Code replaces 2019 Oregon Zero Energy Ready Commercial Code on Oct. 1

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This is an image of a mechanical inspector inspecting an air conditioning unit on the roof of a commercial building.
The Oregon Building Codes Division recently adopted the new 2021 Oregon Energy Efficiency Specialty Code (OEESC).
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The new OEESC became effective on April 1 with a six-month phase-in period wherein permit applicants have the option to submit for permits using either the current (2019) Oregon Zero Energy Ready Commercial Code or the new (2021) OEESC. That six-month phase-in period is coming to an end. Effective Friday, Oct. 1, commercial permit requests must follow the 2021 OEESC.

The 2021 OEESC updates the energy efficiency requirements of the 2019 Oregon Structural Specialty Code (Chapter 13) and is based on the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) 90.1-2019 standard. Additional resources about compliance and the transition to the ASHRAE 90.1-2019 standard are available from the Oregon Building Codes Division here.

In addition, the Oregon Building Codes Division has indicated that statewide alternative method no. 19-01, which allowed the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code as an alternative method of compliance, will be superseded by the 2021 OEESC and no longer allowed beginning on Oct. 1.

To be vested in the energy efficiency requirements in effect before Oct. 1, commercial permit requests must be submitted in accordance with Bureau of Development Services policy, including all of the following: 
 

  1. Submit the permit application via Development Hub PDX by 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 30. The permit application must meet submittal requirements.
  2. Following the submission of the permit application, the applicant must satisfy all requests from City of Portland permitting bureaus for additional information before the Bureau of Development Services will assess and bill intake fees. Delayed or incomplete responses may delay the assessment and billing of intake fees before the payment deadline listed below.
  3. The applicant must pay intake fees in full before 5 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 1.


For more information, please contact the Permitting Services division of the Bureau of Development Services at 503-823-7300.

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