Skip to main content

Oregon State Flag An official website of the State of Oregon »

Oregon.gov Homepage

Celebrating 50 years of the State Building Code

Oregon’s success story for builders and the public

For five decades, the Building Codes Division has worked to collaboratively adopt and administer the state’s building code, issue trade licenses, and support economic development throughout Oregon. Join us in celebrating this historic milestone.

Transcript (TXT, 4.0 KB)


Oregon’s Building Code Turns 50!

We work to ensure the safety of buildings through the administration of the state of Oregon's current building, electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and energy codes and laws pertaining to the review and inspection of projects.

Celebrating 50 years

Building a uniform state building code

Before 1973, less than half of Oregon's cities and counties had a building code ordinance. Builders faced a maze of regulations that varied by city and county.

Learn how it all started

An Oregon Mosaic: Then and now

In November, 1989 building code pioneers in Oregon published "An Oregon Mosaic" that detailed early building code administration. Learn more about how Building Codes Division has evolved through the years.

Read more the evolution of BCD

Important moments in Oregon’s building code history

From 1973 to 2023, We have worked to create a foundation for safe, affordable, and efficient buildings throughout Oregon. Learn about of our important moments over the last five decades.

State code timeline

Our strategic plan

While Oregon’s construction industry has evolved in many ways since 1973, the spirit of our mission remains. We believe all Oregonians should live, work, and play in safe, efficient, and affordable buildings supported by a highly trained, diverse workforce.

Read more about our strategic plan


Check out the 50th anniversary magazine

The creation of Oregon’s statewide building code system is one of the unsung heroes of 1970s’ public policy development in Oregon. Since the creation of the Building Codes Division in 1973, it has served Oregonians by administering and facilitating the code adoption process, as well as training and certifying industry. Read about the division's important milestone and the services we provide.

Download