(1) It is not the purpose of this chapter to require that permits be obtained or fees be paid for repairs and maintenance that do not violate the intent of the structural and fire and life safety specialty provisions of the State of Oregon Structural Specialty Code and the Low-Rise Residential Dwelling Code, adopted pursuant to ORS § 455.020 and 455.610, ORS Chapter 476, ORS § 479.015 to 479.200 and 479.210 to 479.220, when such repair or maintenance is done on a single-family residence, or a private garage, carport or storage shed that is accessory to a single-family residence.

(2) Items designated by the Director of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, with the advice of the Residential and Manufactured Structures Board, shall be exempt from permits and fees required under this chapter. The director shall, pursuant to ORS Chapter 183, develop and maintain an applicable list of such exempt items, which shall include, but not be limited to, concrete slabs, driveways, sidewalks, masonry repair, porches, patio covers, painting, interior wall, floor or ceiling covering, nonbearing partitions, shelving, cabinet work, gutters, downspouts, small accessory buildings, door and window replacements, replacement or repair of siding and replacement or repair of roofing. In making the list of exempt items, the director shall further define the items on the list contained in this subsection so that no item which adversely affects the structural integrity of the dwelling shall be on the list. [Formerly 456.753 and then 456.915; 1993 c.744 § 93; 2003 c.675 § 26; 2009 c.567 § 17]

Section 8, chapter 223, Oregon Laws 2023, provides:

On or before October 1, 2025, the Department of Consumer and Business Services shall review and consider updates to the State of Oregon Structural Specialty Code through the Building Codes Structures Board established under ORS § 455.132, to allow a residential occupancy to be served by a single exit, consistent with the following policies of this state:

(1) The reduction, to the extent practicable, of costs and barriers to the construction of midsize multifamily dwellings, including those offering family-size housing with sprinklers on smaller lots, while maintaining safety, public health and the general welfare with respect to construction and occupancy.

(2) Encouraging a variety of less expensive housing types that allow single-exit residential buildings under certain circumstances consistent with other adopted building codes.

(3) In adopting or considering updates to the building code under this section, the department shall consider regional variation in firefighting capacity and equipment and may make amendments to the code contingent upon a certification by a local fire official that the municipality has sufficient firefighting capacity and equipment. [2023 c.223 § 8]