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DEQ and Oregon's Housing Initiative

Governor Kotek has signed three executive orders to address the state's housing and homelessness crisis. The executive orders are in alignment with Oregon Housing and Community Services' vision and goals. The Oregon Departement of Environmental Quality is working closely with OHCS to begin planning for the course of action ahead. We know the key to achieving positive outcomes for the people we serve requires strengthening coordination and collaboration with our local partners through the lens of humanity.

A 401 Water Quality Certification is required projects that require a federal permit and may ​discharge into U.S. waters. 


​The 1200-C Permit regulates stormwater runoff from construction projects that disturb one or more acres of land. 

If you perform or manage remodeling, renovation, repair, maintenance, or demolition work, you must follow the laws on handling asbestos to protect public health and the environment.

For parties looking to purchase a brownfield property, DEQ offers a Prospective Purchaser Agreement. A PPA limits the lessee's or buyer's future liability to DEQ for environmental cleanup of the property. 

The Built Environment Program supports affordable, lower-impact, and more sustainable building materials and construction practices. 

The Climate Equity and Resilience Through Action Program funds projects that reduce emissions in areas like transportation, buildings and materials, landfills, and food waste.

Any discharge from a site that affects or could affect water, land, or air quality is regulated and may require permits.

DEQ's Onsite Wastewater Management Program regulates the siting, design, installation, and ongoing operation and maintenance of septic systems. ​

Housing production

Whether you're building a new housing development, demolishing and rebuilding, or renovating an old building into new dwellings, there are a number of steps along the way. Depending on the project, you may need a variety of permits or certifications from DEQ to ensure that what you build and how you build it is safe for the people who will live there and complies with environmental regulations. 

These pages offer a high-level overview of the programs you might contact and the processes you might need to use to get the permits and certifications you need. Some of them are required for every project and others only apply to certain types of projects or certain locations.  

We have also compiled the information contained on these pages into a downloadable file for reference: 


Contact

For more information on DEQ's Housing Program, contact:

Shannon Leonard
Housing Program Coordinator

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