Building Safety in Multnomah County, OR (2026)
6 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Multnomah County, Oregon.
Verified from official government sources
Fire Sprinkler Requirements
In unincorporated Multnomah County's farm and forest zones, the standard secondary fire safety zone around a dwelling is 100 feet. A landowner can shrink that buffer under MCC 39.4155, but if the reduced zone drops below 50 feet the dwelling must carry a central-station monitored 13D fire sprinkler system.
Multnomah County Fire Safety Zone Sprinkler Rule
Some RestrictionsMultnomah County Code § 39.4155(B)(2), (5)
(B) Exceptions to secondary fire safety zones shall only be granted upon satisfaction of the following standards: ... (2) If the proposed secondary fire safety zone is less than fifty feet, the dwelling or structure shall be constructed in accordance with the International Fire Code Institute Urban-Wildland Interface Code Section 504 Class 1 Ignition Resistant Construction as adopted August, 19...
Childcare Center Rules
Unincorporated Multnomah County's zoning code allows a stand-alone child care center only as a conditional use, and only within the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area: on GGRC-designated land, on GGR-2 land, or on GGR-5/GGR-10 land inside an existing church or community building. A child care center is defined as a facility serving three or more children.
Child Care Centers in Multnomah County's Gorge Zones
Significant RestrictionsMultnomah County Code § 38.2430(F); § 38.3030(A)(1)-(2)
§ 38.2430 CONDITIONAL USES The following conditional uses may be allowed on lands designated GGRC, pursuant to the provisions of MCC 38.0045 and 38.7300: ... (F) Accredited child care centers ... § 38.3030 CONDITIONAL USES (A) The following conditional uses may be allowed on lands designated GGR, pursuant to the provisions of MCC 38.0045 and MCC 38.7300 (C): (1) An accredited child care center...
Building Permits
Unincorporated Multnomah County adopts the state's structural, mechanical, and one- and two-family dwelling specialty codes as its own Building Code, so construction, alteration, or repair work covered by those codes needs a county permit before starting.
When Multnomah County Requires a Building Permit
Some RestrictionsMultnomah County Code § 29.003
Those portions of the state building code constituting the structural specialty code, mechanical specialty code, and the one- and two-family dwelling specialty code, are adopted and by this reference incorporated as part of this subchapter. The provisions of this subchapter shall take precedence over the similar provisions of the state specialty codes.
Electrical Permits
Unincorporated Multnomah County enforces Oregon's Electrical Specialty Safety Code for all wiring work, requiring a written permit application with project details before work begins; Portland issues its own permits under a separate city code.
Multnomah County Electrical Permit Code
Some RestrictionsMultnomah County Code § 29.102
Those portions of the state Building Code constituting the Electrical Specialty Code as authorized by ORS 479.730 and adopted by the Director of the Department of Commerce, pursuant to ORS 183.310 to 183.550, are adopted and by reference incorporated as part of this subchapter. The provisions of this subchapter shall take precedence over any similar provisions of the Electrical Specialty Safety...
Plumbing Permits
Multnomah County adopts the state Plumbing Specialty Code by reference and administers it in unincorporated areas only; a permit is required before any plumbing or sewage system work begins. Portland runs its own separate plumbing permitting system.
Multnomah County Plumbing Permits
Some RestrictionsMultnomah County Code § 29.202
Those portions of the state Building Code constituting the Plumbing Specialty Code, as authorized by ORS 477.020 and adopted by the Director of the Department of Commerce, pursuant to ORS 183.310 to 183.550 and identified as OAR Chapter 814, are adopted and incorporated as part of this subchapter. The provisions of this subchapter shall take precedence over any similar provisions of the Plumbin...
Building Inspections
Before a covered building in unincorporated Multnomah County can be occupied or its use changed, the Building Official must confirm Zoning Code compliance and issue a Certificate of Occupancy: single-family and duplex homes are exempt.
Multnomah County Final Inspection & Occupancy
Some RestrictionsMultnomah County Code § 29.014
(A) No building or structure, except single family and duplex dwellings, and no land shall be used or occupied, and no change in the existing occupancy of a building, structure or land or portion thereof shall be made, until a Certificate of Occupancy as required by the Building Code has been issued by the Building Official. (B) Changes in the use of a building, structure or of land shall not b...
Building Safety by City in Multnomah County
2 cities in Multnomah County have their own building safety rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Multnomah County ordinances
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