In response to a growing need for the Building Codes Division
to be knowledgeable and aware of special needs of high performance
building that is energy efficient and conserves the environment
– Green Building, they have created a new section called
Green
Building Services. Learn more about this new section of the
division.
BCD has added a new page on their Web site posting jurisdiction
fee changes. This is one more arena for local governments to let
the public know about changes in their building permit fees. Check
it out! We are developing fillable forms for jurisdictions
to use to make the fee change disclosure requirements even easier
to complete.
The division, with the assistance of a Consistent
Forms and Fees Committee, has developed a uniform methodology
for determining permit fees throughout the state. Municipalities
have until January 1, 2009 to bring their fees into compliance
with the new rules, which are modeled after the Tri-County methodology.
The methodology provides predictability for customers and will
assist contractors calculating bids. Another addition to the
BCD Web site is the new Consistent
Fee and Forms Rule page. This page gives you links to the
rule and information about the rule and the forms.
Moisture Content Acknowledgment Requirements
The 2008 Oregon Residential Specialty Code (ORSC)
requires contractors to provide written acknowledgment of the
moisture content of wood framing members to the local jurisdiction.
Confusion has risen over the enforcement of this provision,
causing disruption of construction projects. The division has
adopted a temporary
rule to clarify and simplify the compliance process and
ensure construction projects are not disrupted until the division
adopts a permanent rule. The division has also adopted a standard
form for use in compliance with this standard.
Access to BCD Online Courses
We keep telling you about new Web pages and here
is one more. We have created an archive
page for the code-change online training BCD has been doing
as a pilot project. The information in these courses is beneficial
and can be a great reference when you have questions about the
different codes. The archive will make available all the online
courses BCD provides in the future.
Regional Services
BCD regional forum
Medford, July 29, 2008
The Building Codes Division is hosting a regional
forum in Medford at the Jackson County Public Library on July
29 th from 3-6 pm. As the first in a series of statewide regional
forums, the agenda
is focused on the residential building code. The forum features
BCD structural chief Richard Rogers, Department of Energy analyst
Brady Peeks and Medford architect Mark McKechnie. The discussion
will include key issues/concerns on the new residential code,
renewable energy tax incentives, green building design and conclude
with a block of time for questions and answers from the audience.
Building department staff, contractors and design professionals
should find this a valuable dialogue.
ePermitting
QuickPermits keeps growing
QuickPermits (BuildingPermits.Oregon.gov)
continues to generate interest from building departments and
contractors around Oregon. QuickPermits allows jurisdictions
to offer non-plan review permits on-line. In the first six months
of 2008, 9656 permits were sold in 20 jurisdictions totaling
$996,085.54.
The city of Junction City in Lane County is currently
in the testing phase and several other jurisdictions have completed
more than half of the process.
State staff from the Building Codes Division
and DCBS are available to travel to your jurisdiction to assist
with all phases of joining QuickPermits. So if you’ve
been thinking about offering this service in your jurisdiction
call Dave Galati, Regional Program Services Manager at 503-373-7319.
Our brochure about QuickPermits is available on
our web site at: http://www.bcd.oregon.gov/online_permits_project/4787.pdf
