Phone: 503-823-4375
Fax: 503-823-3903
TDD: 503-823-3947
Unreinforced Masonry (URM) Seismic Retrofit Project
MISSION: To protect Portland residents from the danger posed by the city's over 1,650 unreinforced masonry (URMs) buildings in an earthquake.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: On October 10, Portland City Council voted to require plaques on unreinforced masonry buildings and notify tenants. Information about the ordinance is available on the Portland Bureau of Development Services website - https://www.portlandoregon.gov/bds/article/697998.
TIMELINE AND EVENTS:
- October 10, 2018: Portland City Council passed an ordinance requiring placards on URM buildings.
- June 13, 2018: Portland City Council passed a resolution providing guidance to City staff on developing a mandatory seismic retrofit policy for URM buildings. Click here to watch the full Council meeting. The URM discussion begins at the 03:03:30 mark.
- December 2017: The URM Policy Committee issued a final report.
- December 2015: The URM Retrofit Support Committee issued a final report.
- April 2015: The URM Retrofit Standards Committee issued a final report.
Questions? Email urms@portlandoregon.gov or contact 503-823-3739.
Get Involved
Here's how to get involved with the unreinforced masonry building project and provide feedback.
Why Are We Focusing On URMs?
Background on why the City of Portland is working on a mandatory seismic retrofit policy for unreinforced masonry buildings.
URM Reports & Resources
- URM Steering Committee Facilitation Scope of Work
- URM Resolution (June 13, 2018)
- URM Policy Committee Final Report (December 2017)
- Benefit-Cost Analysis Report (November 2016)
- URM Retrofit Support Committee Final Report (December 2015)
- URM Retrofit Standards Committee Final Report (April 2015)
- Searchable map of Portland's unreinforced masonry buildings
URM Building Locator
Click to be redirected to a searchable map and database of Portland URM buildings.
Case Studies From Our Neighbors
- California Statewide Unreinforced Masonry Building Policy
- California Report on Unreinforced Masonry Building Law
- Berkeley, California Seismic Hazard Mitigation Program for Unreinforced Masonry Buildings
- Seattle Unreinforced Masonry Policy Committee Report
- Performance of Reinforced Concrete Frames with Unreinforced Masonry Infill during the 2016 Ecuador Earthquake