Stop Work Orders

When you submit your ReOregon Homeowner Assistance and Reconstruction Program (HARP) application, you must stop all repair, rebuilding, home replacement, or property purchase work right away. This “Stop Work” rule is required by federal law to make sure environmental reviews can be done and to get an accurate damage assessment.

What homeowners need to know for repairs and maintenance

As a homeowner, you can still do routine maintenance and housekeeping on your property when a HARP Stop Work Order is in place. However, you may not do any repairs or alterations to your home or property without first obtaining HARP review and approval.

What types of activities are allowed under a Stop Work Order?

Homeowners are generally allowed to complete everyday tasks that do not change, remove, or add permanent parts of (or to) the home or property; see the “Allowed” sections in the accordions below. These types of simple tasks typically do not require HARP review.

If you are unsure if a task for your home or on your property is allowed while a Stop Work Order is in place, ask your case lead or construction advisor for advice. There is a process for requesting repair exceptions in limited circumstances, but you must receive approval from HARP prior to any work being done.

What types of activities are not allowed under a Stop Work Order?

Anything that could be considered to be construction, or an activity that would alter the existing structure of your home or the ground on any part of your property, is not allowed when you have been issued a Stop Work Order from HARP. This includes digging holes anywhere on the property.

If you start work without HARP approval for items listed below under the Review Required or Generally Not Allowed columns, you may violate the Stop Work Order and risk being disqualified for HARP funding.

If you are planning any work on your home or property that falls outside of what’s indicated as “Allowed” below, you must first contact your case lead to schedule a review and to complete an Emergency Repairs form (if needed). If you fail to do so, you risk being disqualified from receiving HARP funding.

Allowed (review not required):

Routine lawn maintenance (cutting grass, weeding, pruning shrubs, watering plants, removing snow and ice)
Light pressure washing or cleaning of the home exterior (for example, windows, gutters, siding)

Review Required (may be allowable if approved by HARP):

Repairs needed to address an immediate safety risk (to the public or household)
Repairing cracked or broken sidewalks

Generally Not Allowed:

Property upgrades or improvements that increase the home's value
Repairs to finish incomplete construction so the home can be lived in
Installing new landscaping
Building or replacing walkways, driveways, or parking areas
Building or repairing fences or exterior structures

Allowed (review not required):

Cleaning or fixing gutters and downspouts
Removing graffiti
Washing windows
Inspecting or servicing elevators or lifts
Light pressure washing of siding or gutters
Temporarily securing an exterior wall after unexpected damage

Review Required (may be allowable if approved by HARP):

Repainting surfaces that were previously painted
Installing a temporary access ramp
In-kind* replacement of broken stair treads or balusters

Generally Not Allowed:

Cleaning masonry or removing paint using sandblasting, acid washing, or high-pressure washing
Installing new exterior siding
Replacing an elevator
Installing a lift
Installing a permanent access ramp
Rebuilding stairs or building new stairs

Allowed (review not required):

Preventing water intrusion with tarps or other temporary materials

Review Required (may be allowable if approved by HARP):

Fixing leaks
Applying waterproof coating to a flat roof
Replacing deteriorated flashing
In-kind replacement of loose or missing shingles or tiles

Generally Not Allowed:

Replacing the entire roof (shingles, tiles, metal, membrane, etc.)
Installing solar panels
Installing a satellite TV dish

Allowed (review not required):

Replacing broken door locks
Switching storm and screen panels seasonally

Review Required (may be allowable if approved by HARP):

Replacing a vandalized entry door to restore security
Replacing a single severely damaged window
Replacing broken windowpanes or storm windows
Caulking, weatherstripping, or re-glazing windows and doors

Generally Not Allowed:

Replacing or adding windows
Replacing or adding exterior doors
Adding storm windows or storm doors

Allowed (review not required):

Organizing belongings
Moving furniture
Removing debris
Patching or fixing minor holes or cracks in drywall
Inspecting or servicing elevators or lifts

Review Required (may be allowable if approved by HARP):

Patching or repairing cracked plaster
In-kind replacement of broken stair treads or balusters
Repainting surfaces that were previously painted

Generally Not Allowed:

Installing dropped ceilings
Installing acoustic ceiling tiles
Installing drywall or paneling
Rebuilding stairs or building new stairs
Installing new elevators or lifts

Allowed (review not required):

Cleaning floors

Review Required (may be allowable if approved by HARP):

N/A

Generally Not Allowed:

Installing or repairing flooring

Allowed (review not required):

Routine maintenance of existing appliances or fixtures
Replacing broken cabinet hardware

Review Required (may be allowable if approved by HARP):

Replacing appliances
Replacing fixtures

Generally Not Allowed:

Complete or major kitchen remodeling

Allowed (review not required):

Unclogging a sink or toilet
Routine maintenance of fixtures

Review Required (may be allowable if approved by HARP):

Replacing essential fixtures that no longer work
Replacing a broken medicine cabinet
Replacing a washing machine or dryer
Installing grab bars for safety or accessibility

Generally Not Allowed:

Complete or major bathroom remodeling

Allowed (review not required):

Servicing or maintaining heating and cooling systems
Changing air filters
Cleaning air ducts
Replacing an existing window air conditioner

Review Required (may be allowable if approved by HARP):

Replacing a malfunctioning part of an HVAC system (e.g., thermostat)
Purchasing and using a portable indoor air conditioner or heater
Replacing existing components (e.g., ductwork, air returns, or registers)
Installing a new window air conditioner without changing the window or frame

Generally Not Allowed:

Installing new furnace or heat distribution system
Installing new central air conditioning
Installing a new ductless mini-split heating/cooling system

Allowed (review not required):

Replacing lightbulbs
Replacing malfunctioning light fixtures, switches, or outlets without changing wires

Review Required (may be allowable if approved by HARP):

N/A

Generally Not Allowed:

Rewiring part or all of the home
Installing new electrical service
Replacing or moving electrical panels
Installing new switches, outlets, lighting, or venting devices

Allowed (review not required):

Fixing minor plumbing leaks
Stopping leaks from frozen pipes
Repairing damage caused by frozen pipes

Review Required (may be allowable if approved by HARP):

Repairing a water or sewer connection
Replacing a malfunctioning water heater

Generally Not Allowed:

Installing a new plumbing system
Installing a new water or sewer connection

Allowed (review not required):

Fixing an existing security alarm systems

Review Required (may be allowable if approved by HARP):

Installing temporary security fencing that does not disturb the ground

Generally Not Allowed:

Installing a new security alarm system or system components

Allowed (review not required):

Servicing or installing smoke, fire, or carbon monoxide detectors

Review Required (may be allowable if approved by HARP):

Repairs needed to address an immediate safety risk (to the public or household)

Generally Not Allowed:

Making major physical changes to the home to meet fire or life safety codes
Installing a fire suppression system

Allowed (review not required):

Inspecting or treating the home or property for pests

Review Required (may be allowable if approved by HARP):

N/A

Generally Not Allowed:

Installing new permanent pest control systems

*In-kind replacement means repairing or replacing a damaged item with one that is the same or very similar in type, size, design, and function, without upgrades or changes.

Questions?

If you have any questions about Stop Work Orders or whether a particular task is allowed on your property, contact your case lead or construction advisor, email reoregon@hcs.oregon.gov, or call 877-510-6800 or 541-250-0938.