Oregon

Oregon's first energy conservation requirements were adopted with the first statewide building code in 1974 and were limited to residential-type occupancies (apartments, hotels, dwellings). With the original statewide code and all future codes, the provisions are mandatory statewide. This code was upgraded in 1978 and again in 1980 to reflect the new editions of the ASHRAE standards (90-75, 90A-80, 90B-75). Since 1980, the residential energy conservation requirements have been amended on a three-year cycle in sequence with the Oregon Residential Specialty Code (ORSC). The current code for one- and two-family homes, as well as townhomes is the 2023 ORSC, adopted October 1, 2023. The ORSC residential energy provisions have been developed in Oregon as Oregon-specific code. Since 2011, each new edition is compared to the current national model code (IECC residential). The 2023 ORSC was found to provide equivalent performance to the 2021 IECC.

The energy conservation requirements for all buildings constructed under the commercial building code were developed in 1978 and upgraded in 1980.  From 1980 until 2021, the energy conservation requirements have been upgraded in sequence with the Oregon Structural Specialty Code (OSSC). From 2011 until 2019, the commercial energy provisions were based on the latest edition of the IECC commercial provisions. Beginning with the 2019 building code, the Division moved to the use of the latest edition of Standard 90.1 as the energy code basis for the Oregon Energy Efficiency Specialty Code (OEESC). Each OEESC provides the administrative sections and Oregon-specific amendments as necessary for use of Standard 90.1 within Oregon’s statutory framework.  Beginning in 2021, adoption of the energy code is now out-of-sync with the building code adoption cycle. Energy provisions are adopted in alignment with the publication of the latest edition of Standard 90.1.  The energy code was updated in 2021 with the to use Standard 90.1-2019. All subsequent adoption proceedings for succeeding versions Standard 90.1 begin within one year of the publication date of Standard 90.1, with official final official rulemaking and enforcement pending availability of updated COMcheck compliance software. As of October, 2023, Board approval for adoption and use of Standard 90.1-2022 is completed. Statewide application is slated to begin in 2024, with the specific date pending rollout of COMcheck software for 90.1-2022.

The State is committed to continued improvements to the residential and commercial energy codes. Legislation passed in 2009 directed the Division to  consider the goals of the Architecture 2030 Challenge for each new energy code, as well as creating a framework for development of statewide optional Reach Codes. Executive Order 20-04, and subsequent HB3409 set targets for reducing the energy code efficiency levels to achieve regulated loads at 60% below the energy codes in effect in 2006.  Oregon’s codes in 2006 were among the most advanced in the nation, making the energy reduction goals among the most Residential code improvements continue to track toward the target, with the 60% reduction achievable in the 2029 ORSC. ASHRAE’s commitment to 2030 goals for Standard 90.1 for commercial construction will insure tracking the target reduction as well. After the adoption of each new energy code, Oregon also adopts a statewide commercial and residential Reach Code. These codes are a set of optional code standards, intended to align with incentive programs and to encourage market transformation and encourage future codes. Applications for permit using a reach code must be accepted in all jurisdictions statewide.