Carriage House Plans: Oregon Building Codes

Tuesday, 11 December 2012

The Reach Code is part of SB 79’s overall framework for continually strengthening efficiency

standards of buildings in Oregon. The bill contained 3 specific mandates for the Building Codes

Division: 1) Institute an immediate increase in the efficiency of the residential and commercial

building codes; 2) adopt a Reach Code encompassing construction methods and technology

designed to increase energy efficiency over the mandatory codes for builders that choose to

incorporate them; and 3) set a schedule and goals for continually increased energy efficiency.

The end goal is to achieve buildings that used no more energy than they produced by 2030 – the

Architecture 2030 goal.SB 79 defines energy efficiency broadly as “use of construction and design standards,

construction methods, products, equipment and devices to increase efficient use of, and reduce

consumption of electricity, natural gas and fossil fuels.” That the Reach Code is meant to be

comprehensive is indicated by the fact that the bill exempts plumbing and electrical products and

equipment from certification requirements. Likewise, the bill specifically retains the plumbing,

electrical, and elevator licensing structure

Carriage House Plans