Appeal 34958

Appeal Summary

Status: Decision Rendered

Appeal ID: 34958

Submission Date: 8/27/25 4:12 PM

Hearing Date: 9/3/25

Case #: B-1

Appeal Type: Building

Project Type: commercial

Building/Business Name:

Appeal Involves: Erection of a new structure

Proposed use: Affordable Multifamily Housing

Project Address: 2480 NW Vaughn St

Appellant Name: AJ Littleton

LUR or Permit Application #: Permit 25-008341-CO

Stories: 7 Occupancy: A/B/M/R-2/S Construction Type: IV C

Fire Sprinklers: Yes - All Floors

Plans Examiner/Inspector: John Cooley

Plan Submitted Option: pdf   [File 1]

Payment Option: electronic

Appeal Information Sheet

Appeal item 1

Code Section

Chapter 10 Means of Egress – Section 1028 Exit Discharge

Requires

Section 1028.2 Exit Discharge requires that “Exits shall discharge directly to the exterior of the building. The exit discharge shall be at grade or shall provide a direct path of egress travel to grade. The exit discharge shall not reenter a building.”

Code Modification or Alternate Requested

We are requesting this building appeal so that reentry through the building via the rated exit passageway would be allowed.

Proposed Design

The exterior exit stairway (Stair 2) discharges into an exterior, open-air courtyard with a direct line of sight to the next component in the egress system – a covered, exterior exit passageway. The rated exit passageway provides the required 1-hour rating upon reentry. A one-hour-rated wall is provided along the east property line. The floor assembly above will provide a two-hour fire resistance rating. Additionally, the walls separating the trash/recycle room, vestibule, and sauna are two-hour fire-rated. The exit passageway will be provided with emergency egress lighting with battery backup power. The door to the vestibule is a 90-minute-rated door. The proposed affordable housing project is fully NFPA 13 sprinklered, including the exit passageway. There are no louvers, equipment, or penetrations in the exit passageway.
A clearly demarcated path with landscape lighting (minimum 1 foot candle illumination and tied to backup power) provides occupants direct access to the public way via the rated, exterior exit passageway. At the base of exterior exit Stair 2, an egress gate prevents occupants from unintentionally entering the main, open-air courtyard space during an emergency. Additionally, a directional exit sign will indicate to the occupants the direction of safe travel, terminating at a secure, metal (non-combustible) gate furnished with panic hardware. The gate keeps the open-air courtyard secure year-round.

Reason for alternative

The proposed design provides equivalent life safety protection because the travel distance from exterior exit Stair 2 through the exit passageway is relatively short. Pathways are well-lit and legible, exit signage and an egress gate are used to ensure safe exiting, and the exit access path terminates at the public way.

Appeal Decision

Exit discharge with re-entry into building: Granted provided the exterior wall along the east property line is two-hour fire-resistance rated.

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.

Under 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 how to appeal to the Building Code Board of Appeal, go to https://www.portland.gov/ppd/file-appeal/appeal-process or email PPDAppeals@portlandoregon.gov.