Medford, OR Accessory Structures: Garage Conversions (2026)
Garage conversion rules in Medford, OR, sometimes called garage-to-ADU or accessory living unit conversions, govern permits, ceiling height, egress, and parking replacement.
Key Facts
- Valuation rate
- 50% of R-3 Residential rate
- Governing section
- Medford Code § 9.270(3)(a)
- Valuation table
- ICC Building Valuation Data table
- Also covers
- Carports, decks, covered porches/patios
- Alterations/repairs rate
- 20% of table valuation, § 9.270(3)(b)
Summary
Medford values a garage conversion to habitable space at 50 percent of the "R-3 Residential" rate on the ICC Building Valuation Data table when calculating the building permit fee. Section 9.270(3)(a) sets that reduced valuation alongside carports, decks, and covered porches, but a permit is still required.
Residential and commercial valuation of construction shall be calculated by using the Building Valuation Data table published in April by the International Code Council (ICC), and multiplied by the square footage of the structure... (a) One- and two-family dwelling carports, decks, covered porches, covered patios, and garage conversions to habitable space shall be 50 percent of the valuation for “R-3 Residential” on the referenced Building Valuation Data table.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 2026-32, passed May 6, 2026).
Full Breakdown
270 governs how the Building Safety Department calculates construction valuation, which sets the building permit fee, for residential and commercial projects. " That means converting an attached or detached garage into living space is valued at half the standard new-construction residential rate per square foot for permit fee purposes, rather than the full R-3 rate that applies to new home construction. Subsection (3)(b) separately values alterations and repairs at 20 percent of the table rate. The Building Safety Director makes the final call on valuation, occupancy, and construction type under subsection (2), and commercial valuation defaults to whichever is greater: the applicant's stated value or the ICC table figure.
101), the reduced valuation only lowers the fee calculation; it does not exempt the project from permitting, inspection, or the Residential Code's habitable-space requirements for insulation, egress, and ceiling height.
Violations & Fines
Converting a garage to habitable space without a permit is treated as unpermitted construction under Section 9.660: the Building Official can issue a Notice of Civil Violation, require correction, and, if uncorrected, impose an administrative civil penalty of up to $5,000, or $1,000 per day for a continuing violation, plus the investigation fee Section 9.270(5) adds for work started without a permit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is a garage conversion permit fee calculated in Medford?
Do I still need a permit to convert my garage?
What if I start converting the garage before getting a permit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Medford
Compare Medford to another location·View the Oregon accessory structures overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.