Oregon's Regulatory Streamlining Efforts

Division Overview
The Building Codes Division (BCD) provides code development, administration, inspection, plan review, licensing, and permit services to the construction industry. These are integral to the safe and effective construction of structures in Oregon. The division was added to the newly formed Department of Consumer & Business Services in 1993.

Division Activities
The mission of the Building Codes Division is: Working with Oregonians to ensure safe building construction while promoting a positive business climate. The division has statutory authority for the enforcement and administration of:

Code Development and Interpretation
Services are provided to local building officials, architects, engineers, contractors, and members of the public who need definitive interpretation of various specialty codes. Division staff develops and maintains Oregon's construction codes and rules for use by state and local jurisdictions.

Compliance and Oversight
Services are provided to local jurisdictions, contractors, manufacturers of buildings, and the public to ensure organizations are operating in compliance with the appropriate laws, individuals are properly licensed, and products meet legal specifications.

Licensing / Certification
Services are provided to individuals seeking a license to engage in the building trades and professions including plumbers, electricians, boilermakers, and those individuals seeking certification as inspectors. The agency also provides continuing education to professionals already licensed and/or certified so they can maintain their licenses and certifications.

Permits / Inspections
Services are provided to contractors and owner/builders who seek structural, mechanical, electrical, or plumbing permits. Permits may be issued by the division or by local jurisdictions that administer and enforce the state's building codes. The division also provides services to owners of facilities and operations requiring elevator, boiler, pressure vessel, or amusement park ride permits. The permit process may include the review of plans for construction. Inspection services are provided to manufacturers and dealers of prefabricated structures and components, recreational vehicles, and manufactured homes. Inspection services also are provided to building contractors and
owner/builders in structural, mechanical, plumbing, and electrical areas.

Revenue Sources
The Building Codes Division operates with Other and Federal Funds. Other Fund revenues comprise 99 percent of total revenues. The major sources of revenue are permit and inspection fees, license fees, and surcharges. Surcharges are levied on permit fees collected by local jurisdictions that have opted to assume responsibility for code program administration, enforcement, and training. Federal funding of about $150,000 per biennium is received from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to provide consumer assistance to individuals with complaints about construction or installation of manufactured homes. These funds are expended as Other Funds.

Tri-County Service Center
The Center works with industry and building officials to develop uniform practices and procedures for the building and construction industries in Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington Counties. The Tri-County Building Industry Service Board oversees the Center’s activities. The 1999 Legislature created the Tri-County Building Industry Service Board with Senate Bill 512. The tri-county area encompasses 27 jurisdictions.

The Tri-County Service Center provides services to contractors and building officials in the tri-county area, including a regional minor installation program for commercial and residential electrical and residential plumbing, and standard in-training programs for plans reviewers and inspectors. The center also works with industry and local governments to facilitate the consistent application of code and to facilitate the development of consistent permitting forms, processes and fee methodologies in the region.