City of Bend Adopts Residential Wildfire Mitigation Building Code, Effective May 15

From:
Jacob Larsen, Community Relations Manager
541-647-0696,
jlarsen@bendoregon.gov

[**City of Bend Adopts Residential Wildfire Mitigation Building Code,

Effective May 15]()
The Bend City Council has adopted Section R327 of the Oregon Residential
Specialty Code, establishing home‑hardening
requirements designed to improve wildfire resilience for new, detached
residential construction in Bend.
Following a work session discussion on Feb. 25, 2026, City Council directed
staff to move forward with local adoption of R327, a state adopted section of
the residential building code that cities may opt into. The ordinance received
its first reading on April 1, 2026, and was adopted upon second reading on
April 15, 2026. The new requirements will take effect May 15, 2026, and apply
to new residential building permit applications submitted on or after that
date.
R327 establishes wildfire-resilient construction practices for newly
constructed dwellings and newly constructed accessory structures. It does not
apply to additions or renovations of existing buildings. The new requirements
include the use of noncombustible or ignition resistant materials for exterior
components such as roofing, gutters, windows, vents and siding. Fire hardening
makes a property more resistant to ignition by addressing the most vulnerable
part of the home with materials and methods that increase the structure’s
resistance to heat, flame and embers. While R327 does not apply to buildings
regulated under the Oregon Structural Specialty Code, such as apartments and
commercial buildings, those structures are typically built to a high baseline
level of fire resistance.
With adoption of R327, Bend’s residential building standards align more
closely with nearby jurisdictions. The code is already in effect for the City
of Sisters and unincorporated areas of Deschutes County, supporting a
consistent regional approach to community wildfire resilience.
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