Oregon Administrative Rules
Chapter 918 - DEPARTMENT OF CONSUMER AND BUSINESS SERVICES, BUILDING CODES DIVISION
Division 20 - DELEGATION OF PROGRAMS TO LOCAL JURISDICTIONS
Section 918-020-0390 - Alternative Approval Process for Single-Family Dwelling Conversions

(1) A municipality administering and enforcing a building inspection program under ORS 455.148 or 455.150 shall, upon written request from an applicant for a building permit, exercise its ability to grant a local alternate approval, including alternate methods, modifications, and waivers under the state building code for projects related to conversion of a single-family dwelling to no more than four dwelling units. When making decisions regarding such a permit application, a building official may grant an alternate method for the following elements:

(2) In making decisions related to an alternate method for conversion of an existing single-family dwelling into no more than four dwelling units, a building official may consider whether an automatic sprinkler system is technically feasible and consider alternate methods and materials, provided that adequate safeguards exist to address the items listed in section (1) of this rule and other appropriate measures are in place to ensure public safety, fire and smoke control, and safe egress.

(3) A building official may accept an alternate method, a modification, or waiver of other code items pertaining to the conversion of existing single-family dwellings into no more than four dwelling units. However, consistent with the discretionary decision making powers granted to building officials, and consistent with this rule, a building official may not approve a condition that would create an imminent threat to public health and safety.

(4) Applicable standards for the conversion of a single-family dwelling as follows: