Should Portland 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)?

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.

The reviewed sources do not clearly identify every existing policy, service, contract, or obligation that would remain unchanged.

This proposal concerns land use & permitting and requires action through Portland’s public legislative process.

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.