News Updates - January 12, 2011

ePermitting takes next step in implementation

The city of Springfield has become the first jurisdiction to participate in the full-service portion of Oregon's ePermitting program.

Springfield now offers a large variety of permit types online through the BCD ePermitting portal, including those that require plan review.

The ePermitting team is actively working with a combination of seven other cities and counties to bring them into the full-service program.

Want to know more? Read the full press release.

BCD extends period for submitting proposals
for the residential Reach Code

On Dec. 10, 2010, the division opened up the 45-day period for accepting code change proposals for the residential Reach Code. The division continues to work with an advisory committee developing the commercial Reach Code provisions. Because the Oregon Residential Specialty Code (ORSC) was still in the adoption stage, the division held off on the residential portion of the Reach Code until the ORSC provisions had gone to the board. The 45-day period for proposals was scheduled to end Jan. 25, 2011. The division received a request from a group of stakeholders for an extension for residential proposals. Due to the timing of the ORSC public hearing, and to allow stakeholders time to develop proposals addressing innovative construction methods for saving energy, the division is extending the date for accepting residential Reach Code proposals until Feb. 22, 2011.

Local building department administrative fees

Oregon cities and counties are continuing to face the challenges of providing key services with limited resources. In response, some local building departments are adjusting their program fees. While ORS 455.210 authorizes any reasonable fees necessary to administer a building code program, building department fees must also comply with Oregon's Consistent Forms and Fee Methodology under OAR 918-050.

One aspect of the consistent fee methodology that continues to cause some confusion is the requirement that administrative fees be incorporated into a jurisdiction's fee schedule. Under the methodology, any general charges associated with doing business with the building department must be incorporated into the fee schedule and should not be charged as a separate administrative fee. The exception to this requirement is where an administrative fee is a general cost of doing business with a city or county and is charged city or county wide and not just as a building department charge. Those fees are not covered under the consistent fee methodology.

A second issue relates to the adoption of new fees and the requirement that notice be provided to the division. After the consistent fee methodology rules were adopted, the division provided a brief grace period until January 1, 2009 for jurisdictions to bring their fees into compliance without providing notice. However, that was a one-time exception. Now, all fee changes must comply with the procedures in OAR 918-020-0220, which requires a city or county to provide BCD with advanced notice of new or increased fees.

The Building Codes Division is happy to assist with local fee adoption issues. Contact Trevor Johnson, policy analyst, at trevor.w.johnson@state.or.us or 503-373-1354 with questions.

Code adoption and amendment update

As previously reported, the division is in the process of adopting and amending new plumbing, electrical, and residential codes. Coordinating these three codes involves a complex process of incorporating legislative mandates, code committee meetings, board meetings, and public hearings, and having a published code available prior to the scheduled effective date.

The division is in the final stages this process. Important information regarding these codes and their current status is below. Carbon monoxide alarm requirements amending existing codes for an April 1, 2011, effective date is listed first.

If you have questions or need more information, contact one of the following:
Oregon Residential Specialty Code, contact Mike Ewert, residential and mechanical code specialist, at mike.d.ewert@state.or.us or 503-373-3729.

Oregon Plumbing Specialty Code, contact Terry Swisher, chief plumbing inspector, at terry.l.swisher@state.or.us or 503-373-7488.

Oregon Electrical Specialty Code, contact Dennis Clements, chief electrical inspector, at dennis.l.clements@state.or.us or 503-378-4459.

Carbon monoxide alarms, contact Richard Rogers, structural program chief, at richard.rogers@state.or.us or 503-378-4472.

Adopted radon mitigation standards

On Jan. 1, 2011, radon mitigation standards were adopted implementing Senate Bill 1025, approved by the 2010 Legislature. Effective April 1, 2011, new residential buildings in Baker, Clackamas, Hood River, Multnomah, Polk, Washington, and Yamhill counties must comply with radon mitigation standards adopted by the Building Codes Structures Board and the Residential and Manufactured Structures Board. Radon mitigation standards for new public buildings become effective April 1, 2013. Below you will find detailed information about radon mitigation standards adopted by the boards.

If you have questions or need information, contact Richard Rogers, structural program chief, at richard.rogers@state.or.us or 503-378-4472.

Enforcement

Summary of enforcement cases presented
to the State Plumbing Board
Summary report: These cases were resolved by the division's enforcement section without going to a contested case hearing. No action was required by the State Plumbing Board.

License Suspensions

Summary of enforcement cases presented
to the Board of Boiler Rules
Summary report: These cases were resolved by the division's enforcement section without going to a contested case hearing. No action was required by the Board of Boiler Rules.