An Oregon Mosaic: Then and now
As we close out our celebration of the 50th anniversary of the passage of Senate Bill 73, our division has been combing its archives for documents that reflect the roots of our work. One such example, “An Oregon Mosaic” was published in 1989 and is authored by some of the pioneers of Oregon's uniform building code. Their words spoke to the early need for statewide code uniformity, local administration and enforcement of codes, and the training and certification of building officials and inspectors.
Building code pioneers Dan Smith and Greg Strombeck knew that consistent administration of the building code would be key to its success. In 1989, the state ran partial or complete program services for more than half of the jurisdictions in Oregon. Today, most cities and counties administer their own programs. Local administration provides faster service for contractors and homeowners, allowing them to work within their community to address concerns with construction issues, provide flexibility when appropriate, and to promote greater collaboration between governments, builders, and stakeholders. As of 2023, the state still provides full or partial services for seven jurisdictions.
To ensure the ongoing success of the mission behind a uniform building code, early leadership made it a priority to establish specific criteria for the qualification of inspectors. What began as a uniform certification for industry professionals has evolved over several decades.