Oregon building code

Codes in force in Oregon

Each code family with the edition and the date it took effect, as the adopting agency or statute states them.

Adopted by: Oregon Building Codes Division (DCBS), by administrative rule with the appropriate advisory board².

Scope, amendments and transition rules

International Residential Code (IRC)

Scope

Statewide; applies everywhere⁶

Local amendments allowed?

No, unless authorized by the Director of DCBS⁶

Transition period

Six-month phase-in; mandatory April 1, 2027 (2023 or 2026 ORSC allowed during phase-in)¹

International Building Code (IBC)

Scope

Statewide; applies everywhere⁶

Applies to

All of Oregon: every city, county and other municipality⁶

Local amendments allowed?

No, unless authorized by the Director of DCBS⁶

Transition period

Six-month phase-in; mandatory April 1, 2026 (2022 or 2025 codes allowed during phase-in)³

International Mechanical Code (IMC)

Scope

Statewide; applies everywhere⁶

Applies to

All of Oregon: every city, county and other municipality⁶

Local amendments allowed?

No, unless authorized by the Director of DCBS⁶

Transition period

Six-month phase-in; mandatory April 1, 2026 (2022 or 2025 codes allowed during phase-in)³

National Electrical Code (NEC)

Scope

Statewide; applies everywhere⁶

Applies to

All of Oregon: every city, county and other municipality⁶

Local amendments allowed?

No, unless authorized by the Director of DCBS⁶

Transition period

None: no phase-in period for the 2026 OESC¹

Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC)

Scope

Statewide; applies everywhere⁶

Applies to

All of Oregon: every city, county and other municipality⁶

Local amendments allowed?

No, unless authorized by the Director of DCBS⁶

Transition period

None: no phase-in period for the 2026 OPSC¹

How Oregon adopts building codes

ORS 455.020, 455.040, 455.110

• DCBS director promulgates a uniform state building code. (1) This chapter is enacted to enable the Director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services to promulgate a state building code to govern the construction, reconstruction, alteration and repair of buildings and other structures and the installation of mechanical devices and equipment therein, and to require the correction of unsafe conditions caused by earthquakes in existing buildings.⁶
• Statewide; applies everywhere. The state building code shall be applicable and uniform throughout this state and in all municipalities, and no municipality shall enact or enforce any ordinance, rule or regulation relating to the same matters encompassed by the state building code but which provides different requirements unless authorized by the Director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services.⁶
• Codes adopted with advisory-board approval and conform to national model codes. The codes of regulations and any amendment thereof shall conform insofar as practicable to model building codes generally accepted and in use throughout the United States.⁶
• Specialty codes administered by BCD code programs. The Building Codes Division adopts, amends, and interprets specialty codes that make up the Oregon State Building Code.²
• Local building inspection programs administer the whole state building code. (1)(a) A municipality that assumes the administration and enforcement of a building inspection program shall administer and enforce the program for all of the following: (A) The state building code, as defined in ORS 455.010, except as set forth in paragraph (b) of this subsection.⁶

Applies to

All municipalities⁶

Can local rules be stricter?

No, unless authorized by the DCBS director⁶

What local governments may change

ORS 455.040(1)

• State building code preempts different local requirements. The state building code shall be applicable and uniform throughout this state and in all municipalities, and no municipality shall enact or enforce any ordinance, rule or regulation relating to the same matters encompassed by the state building code but which provides different requirements unless authorized by the Director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services.⁶
• Director encourages local experimentation. The director shall encourage experimentation, innovation and cost effectiveness by municipalities in the adoption of ordinances, rules or regulations which conflict with the state building code.⁶

Can local rules be stricter?

No, unless authorized by the DCBS director⁶

Residential code in Oregon cities

The edition each city enforces, from the city’s own adoption page or ordinance.

For permits, exemptions and owner-builder rules, see Oregon building permits. To compare editions across states, see the code adoption map.