Building Safety in Medford, OR (2026)
6 verified building safety rules for Medford, Oregon, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Elevator Maintenance
Medford requires elevators, dumbwaiters, and escalators to be maintained under the Oregon Elevator Specialty Code, with the current inspection certificate posted where the public or code official can see it. This amended standard, IPMC § 606.1 as adopted at Medford Municipal Code § 9.901, is enforced by the Police Department's Code Enforcement Division.
Medford Elevator Maintenance Requirement
Some RestrictionsMedford Municipal Code § 9.901 (IPMC § 606.1, as amended)
606.1 General. Elevators, dumbwaiters and escalators shall be maintained in compliance with the Oregon Elevator Specialty Code. The most current certificate of inspection shall be on display at all times within the elevator or attached to the escalator or dumbwaiter, be available for public inspection in the office of the building operator or be posted in a publicly conspicuous location approve...
Fire Sprinkler Requirements
On Medford minor residential streets serving up to 100 dwellings, a developer choosing not to cluster driveways or widen the street must instead equip every fronting dwelling with an NFPA 13D residential fire sprinkler system, per Land Development Code Section 10.430(2).
Medford Minor Street Fire Sprinkler Option
Some RestrictionsMedford Land Development Code § 10.430(2)(b)
In order to ensure that there is at least 20 feet of unobstructed clearance for fire apparatus, the applicant shall choose from one of the following design options in coordination with the Fire Department: ... (b) All dwellings that front and take access from minor residential streets shall be equipped with a residential (NFPA 13D) fire sprinkler system and fire hydrants located at intersection...
Door Locking Hardware
Medford requires every means-of-egress door to open readily from the exit side without keys, special knowledge, or effort, except where the hardware is one of the types the Oregon Specialty Codes specifically allow. This amended standard, IPMC § 702.3, was adopted at Medford Municipal Code § 9.901 and is enforced as a Property Maintenance Code violation.
Medford Egress Door Locking Hardware Rule
Some RestrictionsMedford Municipal Code § 9.901 (IPMC § 702.3, as amended)
702.3 Locked Doors. All means of egress doors shall be readily openable from the side from which egress is to be made without the need for keys, special knowledge or effort, except where the door hardware conforms to that permitted by the Oregon Specialty Codes.
Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Medford requires carbon monoxide alarms in residential units, installed, maintained, and repaired to the standard set in the Oregon Residential Specialty Code § 315. The requirement was added to the City's Property Maintenance Code as IPMC § 705.1 under Medford Municipal Code § 9.901, enforced by the Police Department's Code Enforcement Division.
Medford Carbon Monoxide Alarm Requirement
Some RestrictionsMedford Municipal Code § 9.901 (IPMC § 705.1, added)
705.1 Carbon Monoxide Detectors. Carbon monoxide alarms shall be installed, maintained and repaired in residential units in accordance with the Oregon Residential Specialty Code, Section 315.
Electrical Permits
Medford adopts the Oregon Electrical Specialty Code under Section 9.250 and requires a permit before any new electrical installation under Section 9.251. Permits lapse after 180 days of inactivity, and the Building Safety Director can disconnect power on installations completed without required approval.
Medford Electrical Permit and Code Rules
Some RestrictionsMedford Code § 9.251(1),(3)
Duly issued Electrical Permits shall expire after 180 days of inactivity on the work for which the electrical permit is issued. A new permit may be required in the event that the work is to commence after the permit has expired. ... Except as provided in ORS 479.540, no person shall work on any new electrical installation for which a permit has not been issued.
Plumbing Permits
Medford enforces the Oregon Plumbing Specialty Code as its local Plumbing Code under Section 9.200, with the Building Safety Director acting as the "Building Official" for plumbing review. Plumbing permit fees run through the City's standard fee schedule, and unpermitted plumbing work falls under Chapter 9's civil penalty process.
Medford Plumbing Code Adoption and Permits
Some RestrictionsMedford Code § 9.200(1)
The current version of the Oregon Plumbing Specialty Code and State adopted appendices as published and copyrighted by Uniform Plumbing Code, and as modified by the Director of the State Department of Business and Consumer Services is hereby adopted and incorporated as an ordinance of the City of Medford to be administered and enforced along with such further amendments as are contained herein,...