INFORMATION HANDOUT

P:\ADMIN\WEBSITE\OPENCITIES\WEBSITE FORMS\COMMERCIAL\Architect-Engineer Requirements

Rev 5/2/23

BUILDING SAFETY DEPARTMENT

INFORMATION HANDOUT

COMMERCIAL – Is an Architect or Engineer Required on a Project?

The following are exempt from the architecture and engineering laws:

https://www.oregon.gov/osbeels/Documents/Resources%20for/2020_ReferenceManualBuildingOfficials-web.pdf

Detached single family residential dwellings.

Farm/agriculture buildings, as defined in ORS 455.315(2). https://oregon.public.law/statutes/ors_455.315

Structures used in connection with, or auxiliary to, single-family dwellings or farm buildings. These

include but are not limited to three-car garages, barns, sheds, or shelters used for housing of domestic

animals or livestock. (ORS 672.107). https://oregon.public.law/statutes/ors_672.107

Any other building where the ground area is 4,000 square feet or less and the building is not more than 20

feet in height from the top surface of the lowest flooring to the highest overhead interior finish. The

architecture rule OAR 806-010-0002 defines ground area and height limitations. The engineering rule

OAR 820-040-0005 defines ground area and height limitations slightly differently as shown in brackets.

https://oregon.public.law/rules/oar_806-010-0002

https://oregon.public.law/rules/oar_820-040-0005

[As used in ORS 672.060(11) and 672.107(1)(a)(B),] “Ground Area” shall mean [is defined as] any

projected or suspended occupied areas above the ground level in combination with areas in

contact with the ground. Measurements in determining the ground area shall be taken from outside

wall to outside wall and shall include the sum of the areas of all additions and the area of the original

structure. The ground area of a building, or portion thereof, not provided with surrounding exterior

walls shall be the usable area under the horizontal projection of the roof or floor above.

[As used in ORS 672.060(11) and 672.107(1)(a)(B),] “Height” shall be [is] measured from the top

surface of the lowest flooring to the highest interior overhead finish of the structure in determining

whether a building exceeds the 20 foot height limitation.

A basement floor is considered the lowest flooring when usable (i.e., storage, garage, etc.).

Alterations or repairs to a building when the structural elements of a building are not involved, or

when the occupancy or type of classification of the building, or portion of the building, has not

changed.

When buildings are not exempt from required design prepared by a design professional, the design shall include those

systems, equipment and/or elements, whether interior or exterior, that are necessary for the overall function of the

building.

When required, An Oregon licensed design professional shall provide stamped and signed plans,

specifications, calculations, diagrams and any other applicable data in accordance with 107 OSSC.

https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/ORSSC2022P1/chapter-1-scope-and- administration#ORSSC2022P1_Ch01_SubCh02_Sec107

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Geological Investigation Required:



1803.5.2 Questionable soil

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1803.5.3 Expansive soil

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1803.5.10 Alternate setback and clearance

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1803.5.11 Seismic Design Categories C through F

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1803.5.12 Seismic Design Categories D through F

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Other Geotechnical conditions as required in 1803.5 OSSC

Structural design requirements prepared by an Oregon licensed design professional for the

following building materials:



1901.2 Plain and reinforced Structural concrete

shall be designed and constructed in accordance with the requirements of

chapter 16 and 19 OSSC and ACI 318.

https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/ORSSC2022P1/chapter-19-concrete



2002.1 Aluminum used for structural purposes in

buildings and structures shall be designed in accordance with AA ASM 35 and chapter 16 OSSC.



2101.2 Structural masonry construction shall be designed in accordance with the provisions of TMS 402, TMS

403 or TMS 404. Design loads shall be determined in accordance with Chapter 16 OSSC.

https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/ORSSC2022P1/chapter-21-masonry

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2205.1 Structural Steel shall be designed in accordance with AISC 341, AISC 360, ASCE 7 and chapters 16 and 22

OSSC.

https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/ORSSC2022P1/chapter-22-steel#ORSSC2022P1_Ch22_Sec2205

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2301.1 Wood framed structures shall be designed in accordance with chapter 16 and 23 OSSC. Exceptions that fall

under the limitations for prescriptive conventional light frame construction shall comply with Sections 2308.2.1

through 2308.2.6 and 2308.3 through 2308.8 OSSC.

https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/ORSSC2022P1/chapter-23-

wood https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/ORSSC2022P1/chapter-23-wood#ORSSC2022P1_Ch23_Sec2308.2

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2401.1 Structural glass and glazing shall be designed in accordance with ASCE 7 and chapters 16 and 24 OSSC.

https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/ORSSC2022P1/chapter-24-glass-and-glazing



2501.1 Gypsum board used for structural systems shall be designed in accordance with chapter 16 and 25 OSSC.

https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/ORSSC2022P1/chapter-25-gypsum-board-gypsum-panel-products-and-plaster

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2601.1 Plastics used for structural systems shall be designed in accordance with chapter 16 and 26 OSSC.

https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/ORSSC2022P1/chapter-26-plastic

The building code requirements for the structural systems listed above may reference additional design standards in those

sections that are not listed here.

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Other requirements for design prepared by an Oregon licensed design professional



A code analysis for hazardous materials or other hazardous uses within a building in accordance with

chapter 4 and section 414.1.3 OSSC may require a design professional.

https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/ORSSC2022P1/chapter-4-special-detailed-requirements-based-on-

occupancy-and-use#ORSSC2022P1_Ch04_Sec414.1.3



Non-building structures scoped from local municipal code, such as above ground tanks, cell towers,

freestanding signs, etc.…

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Non-building structures such as carports, awnings, canopies, pre-manufactured trusses and other non-

prescriptive assemblies.

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Structural observation reports as required by 1704.6 OSSC for risk category III and IV buildings, high rise

buildings, greater than 2 story buildings in seismic design category E, or where required by the building

official or design professional.

https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/ORSSC2022P1/chapter-17-special-inspections-and-

tests#ORSSC2022P1_Ch17_Sec1704.6