*Amend Building Regulations Code to adopt State of Oregon 2025 Edition of Oregon Energy Efficiency Specialty Code (amend Code Section 24.10.040)

The State of Oregon Building Codes Division enacted changes to the Oregon Energy Efficiency Specialty Code (OEESC). The new code is based on the current edition of ASHRAE 90.1.ORS 455.040 requires that the State Building Code be uniform throughout the State of Oregon. The City serves as the local administrator for the State Building Code and has adopted the State Energy Efficiency Specialty Code by reference in Portland City Code Title 24.To maintain consistency with the State Building Code, the City should revise the applicable section of Title 24 to reference the current version of the Oregon Energy Efficiency Specialty Code. The attached ordinance accomplishes the State requirements by adopting new versions of these codes.

Portland Permitting & Development serves as the local administrator for the State Building Codes, including the Oregon Energy Efficiency Specialty Code (OEESC). The State updated the OEESC in January 2025; consequently, the City must adopt the 2025 Edition. The 2025 OEESC is based on the latest ASHRAE 90.1 standard, which is a thoroughly vetted, federally recognized national model energy standard, with necessary Oregon amendments to meet the energy efficiency goals of the state. Building in compliance with the 2025 OEESC will increase the energy efficiency of the structure, but it will also increase construction costs. New buildings and additions over 2,000 square feet must achieve a minimum number of efficiency measure credits based on building type and climate zone. Each credit represents approximately a 0.1% improvement in overall building efficiency. In addition, some details at parapets, slab edges, masonry facades, balconies, etc. may require additional offset/thermal breaks that could also increase construction costs.The Oregon Construction Industry Energy Board reviewed and approved the 2025 OEESC on Oct. 17, 2023 and the State has made using the 2025 OEESC mandatory starting July 1, 2025. Small businesses were represented at the Construction Industry Energy Board, which reviewed the appropriate provisions of these proposed rules.Opportunity for public input was also provided during the statewide code change and board processes.Every jurisdiction in Oregon is required to use this Energy Code, so all development in peer cities will be required to meet the same standard.

No community involvement was conducted in the development of this ordinance, but small businesses were represented at the Oregon Construction Industry Energy Board, which reviewed the appropriate provisions of these proposed rules. Opportunity for public input was also provided during the statewide code change and board processes. Limited outreach will be conducted to inform customers of the State Code changes.

This ordinance has no budgetary impacts and would not impact staffing levels. Any changes in work resulting from this ordinance is expected to be performed using existing resources.

One of the city’s sustainability goals is to adopt codes and standards to increase the efficiency of buildings and appliances. The Governor’s Executive Order 20-04 requires the state Building Codes Division to adopt building energy efficiency goals for 2030 for new residential and commercial construction, representing a 60 percent reduction in new building annual site consumption of energy from the adopted 2006 Oregon codes. Each new edition of the Oregon Energy Efficiency Specialty Code makes progress towards the City’s sustainability goals.