News and updates

Residential fire sprinklers for new care facilities

Aug. 17, 2021 - As of April 2021, new child care or adult foster care facilities in a residential home must have an automatic residential fire sprinkler system – or take other safety measures approved by the local building official – to protect the children or adults in their care. This bulletin highlights the intent of this new provision.

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Mass walls of insulated masonry units

Aug. 17, 2021 - This new Statewide Alternate Method No. 21-02 addresses an alternate thermal compliance path for use of partially-insulated concrete masonry units (CMU) under specific circumstances.

View the new statewide alternate method.

Oregon Residential Reach Code Adoption

Aug. 6, 2021 - The Oregon Residential Reach Code (ORRC) is now available on the division website. The ORRC is an optional set of standards, designed to increase energy efficiency, providing an additional efficiency compliance path for builders, consumers, contractors, and others.

View the new Oregon Residential Reach Code.
Get more information about the Reach Code.

Director's Order

Jan. 15, 2021 - The Director of the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services, pursuant to OAR 918-098-4002, has determined that the COVID-19 state of emergency may cause a workforce shortage among building codes inspectors or plans examiners. The Director has issued an order to all inspectors and plans examiners to invoke the flexibility of OAR 918-098-4002(2).

This Order ratifies any conduct in compliance with this Order that occurred from Dec. 29, 2020, through the date of this order. This Order remains in force until Executive Order 20-03 and the COVID-19 state of emergency expires, is terminated by the Governor, or until this order is otherwise terminated by the Director.

View the Director's order.