Appeal 34924
Appeal Summary
Status: Decision Rendered
Appeal ID: 34924
Submission Date: 8/4/25 2:10 PM
Hearing Date: 8/13/25
Case #: R-1
Appeal Type: Building
Project Type: residential
Building/Business Name: Urban Visions
Appeal Involves: other: Lot Confirmation
Proposed use: Residential
Appeal Information Sheet
Appeal item 1
| Code Section | ORSC R302.1 |
|---|---|
| Requires | Requires that exterior walls that are parallel to, and less than three feet to a property line be one-hour fire-rated |
| Code Modification or Alternate Requested | Allow for the requested lot confirmation without recording a Covenant Not to Sell Properties Separately or getting final Building Permit inspection approval to modify existing structures to meet code requirements. |
| Proposed Design | A 7' No-Build Easement is proposed over the vacant lot that would result from the requested lot confirmation. The 7' No-Build Easement would provide for 10' of separation between walls and 7' between eaves/overhangs. |
| Reason for alternative | The existing dwelling is proposed to remain on its own lot after the lot confirmation in order to keep it in the City's inventory of affordable detached single family dwellings. The significant modifications needed to make structure compliant with the code would be cost prohibitive and would make an already small dwelling even smaller. Granting the appeal as proposed would maintain the structure in it's current size & layout while allowing for the development of the adjacent vacant lot. The 7' No-Build Easement would provide for the required building separations. |
Appeal Decision
Omission of fire rated construction within 3' of the property line: Granted as proposed with covenant for future no build easement provided fence location is minimum 3 feet from any structure.
Appellant must contact Jody Orrison (jody.orrison@portlandoregon.gov) for more information prior to writing the covenant.
The covenant must include language that establishes the edge of the easement on the adjacent lot as the implied property line for the purpose of determining fire separation distance for future development on the adjacent lot.
The unrecorded covenant must be reviewed and approved by PP&D prior to recording. A copy of the recorded covenant must then be provided to PP&D prior to plan review approval.
The Administrative Appeal Board finds with the conditions noted, that the information submitted by the appellant demonstrates that the approved modifications or alternate methods are consistent with the intent of the code; do not lessen the health, safety, accessibility, life, fire safety or structural requirements; and that special conditions unique to this project make strict application of those code sections impractical.
Pursuant to City Code Chapter 24.10, you may appeal this decision to the Building Code Board of Appeal within 90 calendar days of the date this decision is published. For information on the appeals process, how to file a reconsideration, and appealing to the Building Code Board of Appeal, go to https://www.portland.gov/ppd/file-appeal/appeal-process or email PPDAppeals@portlandoregon.gov.