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Code Status: Oregon

This page contains information about current energy codes in the state of Oregon. Information for all 50 States is also available. Oregon Code News.

Current State Codes

  • Residential Code: The Oregon residential energy code, a state-developed code which exceeds the 2003 IRC, is contained in Chapter 11 of the 2005 Oregon Residential Specialty Code or Chapter 13 of the 2004 Oregon Structural Specialty Code. It is mandatory statewide. State-developed CodeComp software may be used to show compliance.
  • Commercial Code: The Non-Residential Energy Code, which is mandatory statewide, is a state-developed code that exceeds ASHRAE 90.1-2004. The code is contained in Chapter 13 of the 2004 Oregon Structural Specialty Code. State-developed CodeComp software may be used to show compliance.
  • Code Change Cycle: It begins every three years with the availability of new editions of or supplements to the Uniform Codes.
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Code Adoption & Change Process

Process Type: Regulatory

Code Change 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.

State Code History: Oregon's first energy conservation requirements were developed in 1974 and were limited to residential buildings. Since 1980, the residential energy conservation requirements have been amended on a three-year cycle in sequence with the Oregon One- and Two- Family Dwelling Specialty Code. Previous energy conservation requirements became effective on April 1, 2003. New energy conservation requirements for residential buildings became effective April 1, 2005.

The energy conservation requirements for commercial buildings were developed in 1978 and upgraded in 1980. Since 1980, the energy conservation requirements have been upgraded in sequence with the Oregon Structural Specialty Code. New energy conservation requirements for commercial buildings were adopted and became effective on October 1, 2005.

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Energy Consumption Estimates

The consumption estimates below are derived from the total end use of residential and commercial energy consumption in the United States in 2005, and are not limited to energy consumption based on building code-related factors. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration.

  • Residential Sector: 265.6 Trillion BTU
  • Commercial Sector: 204.2 Trillion BTU
  • Total Energy Consumption: 469.8 Trillion BTU
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Construction Activity

Residential:

  • Population (2000 US Census)1: 3,421,399
  • Total Housing Units2: 1,495,582
  • 2004 New Housing Units Authorized by Permit (Privately Owned)3:
    • total units: 28,396
    • 1 unit: 21,933
    • 2 units: 936
    • 3 and 4 units: 890
    • 5+ units: 4,637
    • structures of 5+ units: 278

References:

  1. http://www.census.gov/population/cen2000/phc-t2/tab01.xls
  2. http://www.census.gov/population/estimates/housing/sthuhh1.txt
  3. http://www.census.gov/const/C40/Table2/20k_t2yu200412.txt
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Web Links

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State Energy Code Contacts

 

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