Oregon is turning the page on its building codes with the adoption of the new Oregon Energy Efficiency Specialty Code (OEESC), which officially took the reins on January 1, replacing its 2021 predecessor. This transition comes with a six-month grace period allowing applicants to opt between the outgoing or incoming codes for commercial permits. After July 1, however, it's all about the 2025 OEESC, the state has mandated.
The fresh code is hitched to the 2022 Oregon Structural Specialty Code's Chapter 13 and draws its energy efficiency standards from the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) 90.1-2022 standard. Those looking to fully grasp the nuances of the compliance or the transition to the ASHRAE 90.1-2022 standard can find additional resources provided by the Oregon Building Codes Division here.
For applicants hitching a ride on the 2021 OEESC for commercial permits, Portland Permitting & Development (PP&D) outlines a few must-do steps before the June and July cut-off dates. All permit applications need to be submitted via the Development Hub PDX by that last minute of June 30. Miss the submittal requirements, and you've missed the boat. Then it's a race against time to fulfill all information requests from City of Portland permitting departments before PP&D will assess and bill intake fees.
Paying intake fees in full before 5 p.m. on July 31 is the next hurdle. While this might seem straightforward enough, any slip-ups can easily lead one to have to default back to the new 2025 OEESC, so applicants should remain vigilant. For additional inquiries, PP&D can be reached directly at 503-823-7300, an opportunity for guidance in this regulatory relay.
