Gresham, OR Building Safety: Fire Sprinkler Requirements (2026)
Key Facts
- Trigger
- Under 6 ft wall separation
- Standard
- NFPA 13D sprinklers
- Applies to
- Floating homes/combos only
- Alternate route
- Building official approval
Summary
Gresham requires floating homes moved or added onto to carry an NFPA 13D sprinkler system whenever they sit closer than six feet to a neighboring floating home.
Alternate protection systems to minimum separation between adjacent floating homes. When the wall-to-wall separation is less than six feet, or the roof-toroof separation is less than four feet, the structure being moved or added to shall be equipped throughout with a complete automatic sprinkler system installed in compliance with NFPA 13D or alternate methods approved by the building official.
(3) Separation Required Between New Floating Structures.
(a) Distance between floating homes.
(i) Floating homes at new moorages shall be spaced a minimum of l0 feet apart between the nearest exterior walls and eight feet apart between the nearest roof projections.
(ii) Separation distances may be reduced to six feet apart between the nearest exterior walls and four feet apart between the nearest roof projections when one of the following is provided:
1) A complete sprinkler system is installed in compliance with NFPA 13D.
2) One hour rated exterior walls with protected openings.
(b) Occupancy separation. A covered boat well, in a floating home, enclosed on more than two sides shall be separated from the habitable space per the Oregon Residential Specialty Code requirements for Garages and Carports with water resistant gypsum board on the boat well side.
(4) Materials and installations.
(a) Structural materials within 18 inches of the water.
(10) 39
GRESHAM REVISED CODE
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
GRC 10.60.060(2)(b), part of the Marinas and Floating Structures ordinance, sets minimum separation between adjacent floating homes and offers an alternate protection route. When wall-to-wall separation is under six feet, or roof-to-roof separation is under four feet, the floating home being moved or added to must be equipped throughout with a complete automatic sprinkler system installed to NFPA 13D, or an alternate method approved by the building official. This rule applies specifically to floating homes, combos and boathouses on Gresham moorages, not to conventional land-based housing.
Violations & Fines
Adding to or relocating a floating home within the reduced-separation distances without the required NFPA 13D sprinkler system or an approved alternate violates GRC Article 10.60 and is subject to the building official's enforcement remedies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Gresham require sprinklers in all houses?
What sprinkler standard does Gresham require for close-set floating homes?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Gresham
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