Sisters adopts statewide building-hardening standard for residences; county to administer

The Sisters City Council voted unanimously to adopt Ordinance 545, incorporating Oregon Residential Specialty Code section R3-27 on building hardening for residential structures.

City planner Matthew Martin told the council the code requires a range of fire-resilient building practices "from roofing, ventilation, the attic or the foundation, the gutters, exterior walls, window construction," and more. The adoption includes a 30-day effective date with a phase‑in and mandatory compliance starting April 1, 2026, chosen to align with the state building-code update schedule.

Staff and county officials said the change is intended to reduce structural vulnerability in the event of wildfire. Deschutes County Assistant Building Official Krista Appleby told the council county staff are familiar with R3-27 and prepared to administer the code for Sisters. Chief Fryer of the Sisters–Camp Sherman Fire District urged adoption in the public hearing, calling it "an integral piece" of community wildfire protection.

Council discussed implementation challenges — including cost implications for glazing, decks and covered gutters — and the need for industry education. Several councilors supported a short phase-in to allow designers and builders time to adapt; one council member called the estimated incremental cost range of 2–11% a reasonable upfront investment to avoid far larger rebuilding costs after a fire.

The council approved a minor revision to the municipal code that explicitly names Deschutes County Building Safety Division "as the building agency having jurisdiction for the City of Sisters" to administer the new provision. The roll-call vote recorded five ayes and no nays; the ordinance passed.

The city will publish guidance for builders, coordinate with Deschutes County on permit process clarifications and begin outreach to local designers and contractors before the April 1, 2026 mandatory compliance date.