Small House Specialty Code Superseded And Replaced The Reach Code
Written By Janet Thome
HB 2423, created the Small Home Specialty Code (consisting of the 2018 International Residential Code, including but not limited to Appendix Q of that code), superseded and replaced all previous related statutes and approaches in the ORSC, including the R329 ORSC amendments (temporary rule) and the REACH code.
The State Building Codes Division (BCD) adopted the 2018 International Residential Code, including Appendix Q, as part of the Oregon Reach Code to provide minimum standards for the construction of tiny houses (400 square feet or less, not including loft areas). Appendix Q became effective on Sept. 20th, 2018.
Builders Are Encouraged To Work With Local Jurisdiction
The new Small Home Specialty Code is the recognized construction standard for all permanent dwellings 400 sq. ft. or less in Oregon. As part of that recent legislation, the legislature made it clear that these issues are local jurisdiction issues. I would encourage your builders to work with their local planning and development departments to make sure any issues or potential confusion can be worked out with the jurisdiction. The local jurisdiction is the best resource for any and all local requirements and policies.
Regards,
Todd R. Smith | Sr. Policy Advisor Stakeholder Outreach
Oregon Building Codes Division
Oregon Reach Code
I received the above email after I inquired why all the links to the Oregon Reach Code was showing a 404 error. This happened at the exact time, that the Small House Specialty Code went into effect on October 1st, 2019, so I wanted to verify with the Oregon Building Department if the Small House Specialty Code replaced The Oregon Reach Code and it has. All references to tiny homes on wheels are also showing error codes. I sent more email to Todd Smith regarding tiny homes on wheels and his answer was:
Janet,
BCD does not regulate vehicles. Local jurisdictions are the best resource for information regarding local regulations.
Regards,
Todd R. Smith | Sr. Policy Advisor Stakeholder Outreach
Oregon Building Codes Division
Todd.R.Smith@oregon.gov | 503-378-8034
Small House Specialty Code
”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.
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).