State of Oregon: Energy in Oregon - Energy Code & the Built Environment

To build smart and conserve energy, Oregon has developed energy codes and standards for buildings.

Oregon's building codes are administered by the state Building Codes Division, including the:

2025 Oregon Energy Efficiency Specialty Code (OEESC): The 2025 OEESC, based on ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2022, became effective on January 1, 2025. This code becomes mandatory after the six-month phase-in period ends on July 1, 2025. More information can be found on the Oregon Building Codes Division Commercial Energy Code page.
2023 Oregon Residential Specialty Code (ORSC): Chapter 11 of the ORSC contains the residential building energy provisions. The 2023 ORSC became effective on October 1, 2023, became mandatory on April 1, 2024 after a 6 month phase-in. More information can be found on the Oregon Building Codes Division Residential Energy Code page.

These codes outline energy efficiency requirements for Oregon buildings. The codes cover insulation, equipment, windows, lighting, and much more.

Energy Code Hotline

You can submit energy code questions through ODOE's customer service portal or through the staff contact information listed on the right-hand side of this page. To use the portal, first-time users must begin by clicking on "register" to create an account. You may then sign in to complete the requested information. ODOE staff will follow up with you regarding your question.

Our team provides technical expertise, outreach, and training to building and construction industry professionals to promote better understanding of Oregon's energy codes.

Submit general questions about Oregon's energy codes.
Request training on Oregon Energy Efficiency Specialty Code or Oregon Residential Specialty Code energy provisions.
Get more information about COMcheck .

ODOE and Energy Code

The Oregon Department of Energy acts as a consultant to the Building Codes Division to evaluate and adopt the codes and amendments that will improve energy efficiency in Oregon buildings.

ODOE also serves as a member of the Construction Industry Energy Board and has participated with previous energy code committees offering energy efficiency guidance and recommendations.

Our team has served as a governmental voting member for development of the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), and also served directly on the 2021 and 2024 IECC Commercial Code Development Committees. The IECC serves as a national energy code model that cities and states may adopt or amend as appropriate. The IECC is updated on three-year cycles.

Additionally, ODOE participates in state and regional workgroups that may affect focus on energy codes in Oregon, offering state-level perspectives on energy code discussions and analysis.

Oregon Energy Code Stakeholder Panel

In 2020, ODOE began convening periodic stakeholder meetings, referred to as the Oregon Energy Code Stakeholder Panel, to facilitate outreach and discuss energy code development, code specifications, calculations, and other topics to inform ODOE's code consultation to Oregon's Building Codes Division. This work is part of an effort to achieve directives included in Governor Brown's Executive Order 20-04.

Built Environment Efficiency Working Group

In 2018, ODOE began convening a multi-agency working group, which is tasked to implement the directives in Governor Brown’s Executive Order No. 17-20 . The EO has directives to improve energy efficiency, boost electric vehicle adoption, and support actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the state.

training Resources

Commercial Building Codes

Residential Building Codes

Residential- Earth Advantage ORSC HVAC Training Slides

general RESOURCES

Oregon Building Codes Division-Energy Code Program

Oregon Energy Building Code Stakeholder Panel

Built Environment Efficiency Working Group

Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance

USDOE Energy Code Map

International Energy Conservation Code

ASHRAE Standard 90.1