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City staff brief AHEC on R327 home‑hardening code; members raise cost and timing concerns
Summary
Staff told AHEC the city may opt into Oregon code section R327 to raise wildfire‑hardening standards on new 1–2 family dwellings and accessory structures. Members asked about cost increases, effective dates, developer outreach, and options to mitigate impacts on affordable housing.
City staff presented proposed adoption of R327, a section of the Oregon residential specialty code that would require higher wildfire‑hardening standards for new single‑ and two‑family homes and accessory structures.
Sarah Hudson, senior management analyst in the city manager’s office, told committee members the code covers roofing, window materials and other elements and applies only to new construction governed by the residential code; it does not apply to additions, renovations, manufactured homes or multiunit apartment buildings. Hudson said the most recent IBHS and Headwaters Economics report estimates a 2–3% cost increase for affected construction but cautioned that exact impacts are uncertain and depend on market practices for required materials.
Members pressed staff about timing and public outreach. Hudson said the state writes the code section and the city must opt in; staff expect the ordinance to be introduced for first reading on May 15 but that council could choose to delay the effective date to allow more outreach. Elizabeth Ochshel from the city attorney’s office noted that a first reading would be followed by a required second reading and additional public comment before any effective date is set.
Committee members also discussed whether to ask council for incentives or an exemption for affordable housing builders to offset any added costs; staff said incentives would require identifying a funding source and program, and that council would find it easier to act with specific proposals. Carrie Bell (housing production incentives coordinator) reported that affordable‑housing builders such as Habitat for Humanity indicated most items in the code are already incorporated into their current designs but that some details — for example certain eave treatments — may require further work.
What’s next: Staff said they will bring the ordinance to council and that AHEC can provide comment to council before the second reading; members agreed they could submit a letter or a recommended position if they finalize one before the April 15 meeting.
