News Updates - August 20, 2009

Amendment to the Consistent Fee calculation rule concerning additions

The division is clarifying the Consistent Fee calculation rule, 918-050-0100(1)(c)(C), through a change in language. Jurisdictions trying to calculate fees for "additions" were confused because the rule refers to them both as "new construction" and as "remodels or repairs". Since the general understanding has always been that additions are new construction, the division began to receive a number of questions about the appropriate method to calculate the valuation. As new construction, additions should be valued by reference to the ICC valuation. The division filed for a rulemaking hearing to make this fairly simple technical correction. The hearing will be held on September 22 and written comments will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. on Friday, September 25, 2009.

Changes at Building Codes Division

Andrea Simmons has accepted a promotional opportunity with the Oregon Department of Energy where she will be the assistant director for conservation. In her twelve years with the division, Andrea has worked on every conceivable issue in a number of roles including policy analyst, manager of policy and technical services, the first manager of green building services, and most recently as acting deputy administrator.

Aeron Teverbaugh, who many of you have worked with on a variety of issues as the policy analyst assigned to city and county building departments, has accepted a promotional opportunity within the division. This new position is one of two positions created by Senate Bill 79, which encompasses the development of a reach code and other issues related to improving the energy efficiency of buildings in Oregon.

The new policy analyst assigned to work with the city and county building departments will be Jim Denno who can be reached at Jim.S.Denno@state.or.us or 503-373-7401. Jim looks forward to working with you. Although Jim is relatively new to his role as policy analyst, having worked at BCD previously he has extensive knowledge of the issues.

As mentioned above, Senate Bill 79 created two new positions and the division continues to recruit for one additional Operations and Policy Analyst 4. The division will be interested in individuals with a technical background in construction, energy, or a related green/sustainable field. Please pass on the information to anyone you think would qualify for this position.

Oregon Solar Energy Code Advisory Committee in place

The Building Codes Division is in the process of developing the Oregon Solar Energy Code. This new code, the first statewide solar code in the nation, will bring together, in a single document, the construction standards relating to solar energy in Oregon. The goal of the code is to provide clarity and consistency for installation and construction of solar photovoltaic systems statewide. The code will not address licensing, thermal issues, or cutting edge technology. Committee members have been selected for the advisory committee that will review the code and provide their expertise and insight, along with division staff, on what the content should include.

The first committee meeting will take place in early fall and will be held at BCD in conference room A. Information about committee documents, meeting schedules, agendas, and meeting minutes as well as links for viewing live meetings or signing up for email updates on the committee's activities, can be found on the BCD Web site.

For questions, please contact Policy Analyst Aeron Teverbaugh at 503-373-1354 or Aeron.Teverbaugh@state.or.us