Oregon now allows attached, stacked two-family dwellings

Oregon recently updated its building codes to allow attached, stacked two-family dwellings which were previously required to be detached.

Before this change, four-unit housing buildings were required to be built under the more stringent standards of the Oregon Structural Specialty Code that also applies to commercial buildings. The code now allows two housing units, atop of each other, in two attached buildings, for a total of four housing units.

This project type is limited to two-story structures. First-floor units must be accessible to wheelchair users. These units do not require fire suppression sprinklers.

Three or more stacked two-family dwellings (for a total of six or more dwelling units), attached to one another, will require National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 13D sprinklers throughout all units.