Small House Specialty Code: Oregon HB243

Adopts Small Home Specialty Code to regulate the construction of homes

Not more than 400 square feet in size Effective October 1st, 2019

Written By Janet Thome

”Small House Specialty Code” – Means the specialty code adopted under section 2 of this 2019 act. It means a code of regulations adopted under ORS 446.062, 446.185, 447.020 (2), 455.020 (2),455.496, 455.610, 455.680, 460.085, 460.360, 479.730 (1) or 480.545 or section 2 of this 2019 Act.

Section 2 Of HB243: Including But Not Limited To  Appendix Q

1) As used in this section, “small home” means a single-family residence that is not more than 400 square feet in size.(2) Notwithstanding ORS 455.020 and 455.030, the 2018 International Residential Code, including but not limited to Appendix Q of that code, is adopted as a Small Home Specialty Code applicable to the construction of a small home.

Summary

  • Requires amendment of Low-Rise Residential Dwelling Code to provide that Small Home Specialty Code supersedes conflicting provisions of Low-Rise Residential Dwelling Code.
  • Authorizes municipal building official to alter, modify, or waive specialty code requirements for small home if strict adherence to Small Home Specialty Code is impractical or infeasible.
  • Requires that building permits and zoning permits for small homes designate the small home as single-family project.
  • Requires that certificate of occupancy for small home allow occupancy only for residential use as single-family dwelling.
  • Specifies the application of fire sprinkler head and fire sprinkler system design criteria to small homes.
  • Authorizes municipal building officials to allow increased detection and occupant notification in lieu of fire sprinkler head or fire sprinkler system.
  • Requires that small home be built with listed heat detector unit alarm or listed photoelectric smoke alarm.
  • Sunsets Small Home Specialty Code and small home fire sprinkler design, heat detector, and smoke alarm provisions on January 2, 2026.

Text Bill HB243

Enrolled

Oregon Reach Code:  No Longer Applies

Hi Janet,

”Thank you for the call. On and after October 1, the Reach Code path and the R329 ORSC amendments (temporary rule) are no longer applicable or available. As you correctly pointed out, links to the Reach Code have been removed from our website. Starting October 1st HB 2423 will become effective. Thus, the bill creates the “Small Home Specialty Code” that governs the construction of “small homes” which are defined as not more than 400 square feet in size.”

”The local building department where the home is to be located is the best resource for any specific local requirements to be discussed. I encourage you to reach the local building officials for specific small home projects and policies.”

”A copy of HB 2423 can be located on the legislature’s website: Oregon State Legislature

Local building department contact information can be located on the division’s website: Locate A Building Department

I hope this information is helpful. ”

”I’ve copied our technical team for consistent communication purposes.”

Francisco Ramos Building Code Specialist|Policy & Technical Services

Oregon Department of Consumer & Business Services|Building Codes Division

Office: 503-373-7542 Website

Francisco Ramos-Building Code Specialist-Policy And Technical Services

 Oregon Revised Statute (ORS) 197.493: Placement And Occupancy Of Recreational Vehicle

1) A state agency or local government may not prohibit the placement or occupancy of a recreational vehicle, or impose any limit on the length of occupancy of a recreational vehicle, solely on the grounds that the occupancy is in a recreational vehicle if the recreational vehicle is:

(a) Located in a manufactured dwelling park, mobile home park or recreational vehicle park;

(b) Occupied as a residential dwelling; and

(c) Lawfully connected to water and electrical supply systems and a sewage disposal system.

(2) Subsection (1) of this section does not limit the authority of a state agency or local government to impose other special conditions on the placement or occupancy of a recreational vehicle. [2005 c.619 §12]

Note: See note under 197.492 (Definitions for ORS 197.492 and 197.493).

Article Source Oregon Laws.Org

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Article Source Tiny Home Industry Association

Related: Jurisdictional Gap Between Two Oregon State Agencies

The Oregon DMV, meanwhile, said state law until recently prohibited it from providing titles to park model RVs because they’re not street-legal and aren’t considered a vehicle. The Legislature passed House Bill 2333 to expand the DMV’s responsibilities to include park model RVs, but that law doesn’t take effect until Jan. 1st, 2019.

Article Source The Oregonian

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Oregon Governor Kate Brown signed four housing bills into law Thursday designed to address the state’s housing crisis.

Senate Bill 5512, House Bill 2003, HB 2006 and the controversial HB 2001, now signed into law, each address Oregon’s housing crisis.

“This session, we committed to significant investments that will help every Oregon family have a warm, safe, and dry place to call home,” Brown said in a news release. “No one single solution will address our housing crisis, and this legislation tackles the whole spectrum of issues, from homelessness to stable rental housing, to increasing homeownership.”

Article Source Register-Guard

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Photo: Oregon Cottage Company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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