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Oregon

State Profile

Code Type: Commercial Residential
Current State Code ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2019 (90.1-2019) State Specific
Effective Date
Adoption Date
State Amendments Yes Yes
State Code Analysis*
Enforcement Mandatory Statewide Mandatory Statewide
Can use COM/REScheck Yes No

Certifications

Commercial Residential
Current Model Code ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2019 2021 IECC
Yes Yes
Commercial
Previous Model Code
ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2013
ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2010
ASHRAE Standard 90.1-2007
Residential
Previous Model Code
2012 IECC
2009 IECC

Model Code Savings Potential

Statewide Savings Potential (2010-2030)
Cost
Energy (primary)

Consumer Cost Savings

Consumer Cost Savings
Annual ($)
Annual (%)
Life-cycle (30 year)
Simple Payback
Positive Cash Flow

Compliance

Code Type: Residential Commercial
Field Study Yes No
Training Program No No

Additional Information

Oregon

    Background

    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. 

    State-Owned/Funded Buildings

    New state construction must exceed the energy conservation provisions of the Oregon State building code by 20% or more. In addition, the 2007 Oregon Legislature passed HB2620, which requires that public entities spend 1.5% of the total contract price of a public improvement contract for new construction or major renovation of a public building on solar energy technology. Enacted in June 2007, House Bill 2620 introduced a unique requirement for installing solar energy systems on public buildings. Subsequent legislation has since made various changes to the requirements, and as of 1/1/2020 the program requires all public building projects for which the total contract price is $5,000,000 or more to include green energy technology or an eligible alternative technology. The investment in green energy technology for a public building must amount to at least 1.5% of the total contract price. Green energy technology can either be solar electric or solar thermal systems, geothermal systems, battery storage, and can also include passive solar if it will achieve an energy consumption reduction of at least 10%. Eligible alternatives include woody biomass and energy use efficiency that meets certain criteria. This policy also applies to major renovation projects if the cost of the renovation exceeds $5,000,000 and 50% of the total value of the building.

    Adoption Process

    Changes to the energy conservation requirements are submitted on code change forms to the Oregon Building Codes Division (BCD). The Residential Structures Board reviews proposed changes that are applicable to residential code. The Building Codes Structures Board reviews changes that are applicable to the structures code. The BCD administrator, under delegated authority from the Director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, makes a final determination about acceptance of the proposal.

    Once the administrator accepts a proposal, rulemaking begins.

    The Oregon Revised Statutes (law) gives the BCD the authority to write rules that affect energy conservation in all regulated buildings. The BCD, through the rulemaking process, writes rules to implement statutes. These rules allow the BCD to adopt and amend model codes such as the International Building Code and the International Residential Code. Anyone can submit code changes, which basically change rules, to the BCD at any time. The Oregon Structural Specialty and One- and Two-Family Dwelling Codes are revised on a three-year cycle following the code change cycle of the relevant model code organization. Emergency rules are incorporated into these state codes as necessary.

    The state energy code provisions are mandatory for all heated and/or cooled residential and commercial construction, including state-owned and -operated buildings that are constructed, altered, and repaired within the state. The energy conservation requirements are a mandatory statewide minimum that cannot be modified by local government without state approval.

    Enforcement Process

    Enforcement of the building and energy codes is delegated by the state to local building departments. Counties that choose not to have a local building department may defer authority to the state Building Codes Division to enforce the building codes in their jurisdiction. The division also certifies and licenses building officials statewide to provide consistent enforcement of the statewide codes across all jurisdictions. As part of the building officials duties, with each new code edition, the officials and their plan reviewers and inspectors must take Division-developed code change update courses. 

    The OEESC and ORSC energy code requirements are mandatory statewide. The code is the minimum requirement that must be enforced in every jurisdiction. No jurisdiction may require code compliance exceeding the statewide code minimum without specific approval is requested from the state and granted by the state.  
     
    Plans and specifications must be submitted unless exempted by the building official. If required by the building official, the plans must be stamped by registered design professionals. The codes establish minimum submittal requirements for both plan review and inspection. BCD also provides plan review and inspections for all prefabricated structures located within the state and inspections of all manufactured housing. 

    Division-generated forms and calculators are available for submission with residential projects constructed to the ORSC residential energy provisions. Commercial projects are required to submit a COMcheck compliance report and Oregon-specific forms unless otherwise approved by the jurisdiction. 

    Compliance Process

    Plans and specifications showing all pertinent data in sufficient detail, must be submitted to the enforcement agency (local or state office where not enforced locally) for permit review. Residential compliance to the ORSC Chapter 11 must be demonstrated, while commercial compliance for structures built to the OSSC must demonstrate compliance with the OEESC (including latest edition of Standard 90.1). 

    Prescriptive and performance paths are available for compliance under each energy code. Documentation for commercial buildings must include a COMcheck compliance report, as well as a ZERO Energy Code report to demonstrate the level of renewables likely needed to achieve net-zero energy performance. See the enforcement tab for additional guidance. 

    Further information for the commercial compliance, including links to the current energy code can be found here: Building Codes Division :  https://www.oregon.gov/bcd/codes-stand/Pages/energy-commercial-compliance.aspx .  Further information for residential energy code compliance can be found here: https://www.oregon.gov/bcd/codes-stand/Pages/energy-residential-compliance.aspx. Technical bulletins, links to statewide interpretations and statewide alternate methods are also available. 

    BCD provides full support for energy code questions. Building officials, contractors, owners, and general public can contact BCD staff directly for assistance with code questions. In addition, the Oregon Department of Energy maintains a help desk for energy code compliance: https://www.oregon.gov/energy/energy-oregon/Pages/Energy-Code.aspx .