Amend City Code to adopt State of Oregon Building Codes by reference (amend Code Title 24 and Sections 25.01.020, 26.01.030, and 27.01.030)
The City of Portland ordains.
Section 1. The Council finds:
- The City serves as the local administrator for the State Building Codes, pursuant to ORS 455.148, including the Oregon Structural Specialty Code (OSSC), Oregon Residential Specialty Code (ORSC), Oregon Energy Efficiency Specialty Code (OEESC), Oregon Plumbing Specialty Code (OPSC), Oregon Electrical Specialty Code (OESC), and the Oregon Mechanical Specialty Code (OMSC).
- The Council has previously adopted these codes by reference to specific editions in Portland City Code Title 24 (Building Regulations), Title 25 (Plumbing Regulations), Title 26 (Electrical Regulations), and Title 27 (Heating and Ventilating Regulations).
- The State Building Codes Division regularly updates the State Building Codes based on the most recent versions of the International Codes developed by the International Code Council and ASHRAE 90.1 Energy Standard.
- The State Building Codes Division adopts new versions of the codes by rule, with clear dates and direction for when each new version is effective but optional, and when each is effective and mandatory.
- ORS 455.040 mandates that the City apply the state’s adopted version of the building codes. Referencing the current edition of each building code in City Code is redundant and state statute does not allow the City to delay adoption or adopt a different edition.
- The process to amend City Code is time consuming. City staff and Council time is valuable and finite.
- Consequently, PP&D seeks to improve efficiency by amending Titles 24, 25, 26, and 27 to reference the state statutes and state administrative rules that identify the specific editions and effective dates for each building code in lieu of referencing the specific editions.
NOW, THEREFORE, the Council directs:
- Amend City Code Section 24.10.040 and Chapter 24.90 as shown in Exhibit A.
- Amend City Code Section 25.01.020 as shown in Exhibit B.
- Amend City Code Section 26.01.030 as shown in Exhibit C.
- Amend City Code Section 27.01.030 as shown in Exhibit D.
Official Record (Efiles)
An ordinance when passed by the Council shall be signed by the Auditor. It shall be carefully filed and preserved
in the custody of the Auditor (City Charter Chapter 2 Article 1 Section 2-122)
Passed as amended by Council
Auditor of the City of Portland
Simone Rede
Impact Statement
Purpose of Proposed Legislation and Background Information
There are 7 different state building codes (commercial, residential, plumbing, mechanical, electrical, energy, and manufactured dwellings) that are updated with a new edition about every 3 years. The State Building Codes Division goes through the adoption process including outreach and public hearings with a few of the codes each year. City Code currently references the specific edition for each code (the 2025 OEESC for example that was just updated in June). This ordinance removes those specific years in the code text and instead references the state statutes and state administrative rules that identify the year, effective date, and mandatory date. This keeps City Code accurate and current without the burden of requiring City Code amendments every time the state adopts new editions.
State statute requires that every jurisdiction in Oregon use the same statewide building codes. This amendment will save significant city staff and Council time that is currently required to perpetually amend City Code to match the specific editions that the state has adopted.
Financial and Budgetary Impacts
This ordinance allows existing staff time to be used more efficiently. It opens space for policy staff to address City goals and code improvement projects instead of clerical upkeep of City Code.
For example, updating the code edition for the 2025 OEESC in June used approximately 60 hours of PP&D staff time to create the ordinance, impact statements, presentation, and memos, and coordinate submission, reviews, and approvals for all of these items through the multi-layered council process.
This ordinance will also free Council/committee attention and meeting time for issues and ordinances that can effect meaningful change.
Economic and Real Estate Development Impacts
Portland Permitting & Development serves as the local administrator for the seven State Building Codes. The State Building Codes Division issues a fiscal and economic impact statement for each new code edition in preparation for the rulemaking hearing. Many code updates are cost neutral for development or provide more flexibility to meet fire and life safety standards. Some code updates, like the most recent energy code revision, are published with a list of increased costs and reasoning statements.
- For each code edition update, the State Building Codes Division adoption process includes a committee of interested parties to review the proposed changes, opportunities for anyone in the public to propose a code amendment and maintains six separate boards with mixed representation to review the recommendation of the committee. At each point of this process the public is invited to attend the meetings and submit public testimony.
- Information about the state’s code adoption process and progress on each code is provided online and distributed through a public subscriber email list: BCD Code Adoption and Review
- Every jurisdiction in Oregon is required to use the statewide adopted Building Codes, so all development in peer cities is required to meet the same standards.
Community Impacts and Community Involvement
No community involvement was conducted in the development of this ordinance, however small businesses, owners, and contractors are represented on each of the six boards that review the appropriate provisions of the proposed codes.
For example, the Residential and Manufactured Structures Board is required by state statute to include representation from home builders and residential design professionals, as well as a representative of an energy supplier and a building official. All together there are 11 members of the board to provide a diverse range of interests and perspectives. Anyone from the public or private sector can submit a code amendment proposal or may come to the board meetings to testify for or against specific code changes.
100% Renewable Goal
This ordinance does not impact the City’s sustainability goals.
Financial and Budget Analysis
Analysis provided by City Budget Office
There is no fiscal impact. The ordinance may result in administrative savings by reducing the staff and Council time currently required to amend City Code after each state code update.
Economic and Real Estate Development Analysis
Analysis provided by Prosper Portland
Prosper Portland staff has reviewed the Economic and Real Estate Development Impact Analysis submitted for this action and finds that it satisfies the requirements set forth in City Council Resolution 37664. The analysis is sufficiently detailed and complete to be considered a final statement for purposes of this action.
Document History
Document number: 2025-374
President's referral: Homelessness and Housing Committee