Building Official Determination 06-01: Parking Garage Headroom

QUESTION: Are any projections allowed into the 7' - 0" headroom clearance required in the pedestrian and vehicular circulation areas in a parking garage?

RESPONSE: Wall mounted shelves, storage surfaces, cabinets, piping, and ductwork located at the head of a parking space may encroach into the required 7' - 0" vertical headroom clearance required in a parking garage under the following conditions:

1. The shelving, storage surface, cabinet, piping, or ductwork does not project more than 24" into a parking space.
2. The shelving, storage surface, cabinet, piping, or ductwork has a minimum of 48" vertical clearance above the floor.
3. In buildings of Type I or Type II construction the shelving, storage surface, cabinet, piping, or ductwork shall be of noncombustible material or shall be protected by automatic sprinklers as required by the Fire Marshal's Office.
4. No obstruction by shelving, storage surface, cabinet, piping, or ductwork shall be permitted in spaces and aisles designated for van-accessible parking.
5. No obstruction by shelving, storage surface, cabinet, piping, or ductwork shall be permitted into pedestrian circulation areas or into vehicular drive lanes or maneuvering areas.
6. All piping or ductwork projecting into vehicle parking spaces shall be protected against damage by vehicle contact in a manner approved by Portland Permitting & Development.

View full size image of overhead obstructions at parking garage

HISTORY: Implementation. Updates August 22, 2007, March 30, 2023, and July 24, 2024.

DOWNLOAD a copy of this Building Official Determination:

QUESTIONS? Free 15-Minute Appointments for Permit, Code, and Zoning Questions