Southern Oregon · Central Oregon · Eastern Oregon · wildland-urban interface statewide
Oregon's 2025 wildfire rule change: R327 and defensible space
Oregon's 2025 wildfire rule change: R327 and defensible space in Oregon: what it is, why it matters here, how it shows up in a report, and what it means for a transaction.
Why this sits outside a standard inspection
OAR 812-008-0203 makes an Oregon home inspection visual and not technically exhaustive. OAR 812-008-0204 excludes underground items, items not permanently installed, and the determination of environmental hazards.
That is adopted rule, not custom. It is the reason this finding needs a specialist rather than a generalist, and the reason the only existing coverage tends to be written by the companies selling the remediation.
Inspections undertaken in accordance with division 8 are visual and are not technically exhaustive.
OAR 812-008-0203(1)
Southern Oregon · Central Oregon · Eastern Oregon · wildland-urban interface statewide
Oregon's 2025 wildfire rule change: R327 and defensible space
Verified fields
Rule vehicle
R327 is carried by OAR 918-480-0010(4). The rule text states the R327 amendment is EFFECTIVE 2025-08-05. The provision was first filed as temporary rule BCD 8-2025 effective 2025-08-05, then made permanent by BCD 12-2025, filed 2025-12-22, effective 2026-01-01, with no gap in coverage. It amends the 2023 Oregon Residential Specialty Code.
Edition is frozen
ORS 455.433(1) pins the adoptable standard to the 2023 edition: the department shall adopt the wildfire hazard mitigation code standards of section R327 of the 2023 Oregon Residential Specialty Code.
Applies to
ORS 455.433(3) limits the standards to new construction of new buildings.The file 23orsc-wildfire-amendments.pdf is still live on BCD's site and contains pre-SB 83 language covering additions and full replacement of exterior elements. It overstates current scope. The controlling text is 23orsc-r327-amend.pdf, dated 2026-01-06.
No state mandate
Both tracks are entirely local-option, and each carries an express statutory prohibition on the state requiring adoption.
Roof relevance
R327 sets materials and assembly requirements for roofing, ventilation, exterior wall coverings, overhanging projections, decking surfaces and glazing. Roofing and attic ventilation lead the section.
Defensible space
- rule
- OAR 837-040-0030, Permanent Order OSFM 2-2026, filed and effective 2026-04-29
- rulemaking
- Complete. Notice filed 2026-03-10, hearing 2026-04-27, zero public comments received.
R327 available for local adoption
- status
- In force since 2025-07-24
Defensible space model code
- status
- Effective date DISPUTED, see date_conflict. Voluntary in either case.
Seller disclosure change
- status
- Since 2025-07-24. See statewide/seller-disclosure.json
Defensible space model code
- finding
- THE DEFENSIBLE SPACE MODEL CODE HAS A PUBLISHED ADOPTION CYCLE AND A DATED CURRENT EDITION, which earlier passes did not have.
- current edition
- 2026 Oregon Defensible Space Model Code, effective 2026-02-26.
- basis
- Sections 603 and 604 of the 2024 International Wildland-Urban Interface Code, ICC, plus Oregon-specific best practices.
- cycle
- Adopted roughly every three years, tracking the national WUI code cycle.
- rule
- OAR 837-040-0030 Adoption of the Oregon Defensible Space Model Code
Defensible space per jurisdiction
- position
- NOT RECORDED PER JURISDICTION, DELIBERATELY.