Important moments in Oregon’s building code history
In 1973, Gov. Tom McCall signed Senate Bill 73 into law, creating Oregon’s unique statewide building code system. The bill established uniform standards for all residential and commercial buildings in Oregon and prohibited local governments from enacting conflicting regulations. It included consistency of code requirements between municipalities, dispute resolution for decisions made by building inspectors, and the establishment of stakeholder advisory boards to help adopt codes.
Senate Bill 73
- BCD created under the Department of Commerce
- Established statewide uniform building code
- Established training requirement for building inspectors
Senate Bill 889
- Reaffirmed purpose, scope, and authority of the state building code
- Established state pre-emption over local ordinances
Senate Bill 1034
- BCD became Building Codes Agency, a standalone state agency
Senate Bill 107
- Established inspector continuing education requirements
Senate Bill 167
- Created Department of Consumer and Business Services; BCD became a division within the new state agency
Senate Bill 35
- Established performance standards for local government administering a building inspection program
Senate Bill 512
- Established the Tri-County Building Industry Service Center and Board
Senate Bill 587
- Established appeal system for local code decisions
House Bill 2660
- Local permit fees must meet standards
House Bill 3613
- Established “full service” requirement for assuming a program or element of a program
Senate Bill 710-715
Established:
- Regulatory streamlining
- Regional code administration – expanded Tri-County model
- Plan review and code requirements
- E-government – statewide e-permitting study, Tri-County pilot program
- Statewide alternative inspection program – expanded minor labels
- State approval for essential projects
Senate Bill 421
- Established regional program to assist counties and local government
House Bill 2179
- Established authority to approve emerging technologies
House Bill 3097
- Expanded Tri-County e-permitting pilot program statewide
House Bill 2405
- Authorized BCD to implement statewide Oregon ePermitting program
House Bill 2950
- Merged the Manufactured Structures and Parks Advisory Board and the Residential Structures Board into the Residential and Manufactured Structures Board
- Established the Construction Industry Energy Board
House Bill 3462
- Established a pilot program for cross-training inspectors
House Bill 2698
- Authorized BCD to continue developing cross-training for inspectors
Senate Bill 582
- Authorized BCD to provide regional assistance
- Created new customer appeal process
- Streamlined permitting process
Senate Bill 866
- Resolved constitutional issues regarding the administration of the state building code
- Expanded the score of the inspector training program
House Bill 2415
- Resolved constitutional issues regarding the administration of the state building code
- Required the division to adopt rules to establish minimum standards and statewide consistency in electronic processes for reviewing plans, issuing permits, and performing field inspections