General Design Criteria

  1. Seismic design category shall be determined based on short period response acceleration (SDS) per OSCC Table 1613.2.5(1). Residential projects falling under the ORSC shall use (SDS) per ORSC Table R301.2.2.1.1.
  2. Wind design: residential projects falling under ORSC shall use Table R301.2(1), basic speed (V)=98 mph and if in special wind region shall use wind speed =120 mph, and Table R301.2.1.2 wind speed conversion. Projects regulated under the OSSC code should refer to Table 1609.3 (Note: determined by Risk Category). To see if you are in the special region refer to Figure R301.1.2.1 or ATC Hazards Website (click HERE to be directed to ATC Hazards Website).
  3. Most areas of Klamath County can be classified as wind exposure category C. However, some areas may meet the criteria for exposure B (typically within Urban Growth/City Limits). The design professional is responsible for justifying the exposure selected for the specific areas of construction.
  4. Soils bearing pressure is 1500 pounds per square foot, unless justified by a soils report. A lesser bearing pressure may be required in specific locations.
  5. Ground snow loads are site specific and are published from the Structural Engineers Association of Oregon "Snow Load Analysis for Oregon" 3rd edition Dec 2007. However design snow loads shall be a minimum of 20 pounds per square foot, with factors: slope, exposure, thermal, importance, drifting, etc. Snow loads provided through this jurisdiction by completing a snow load request form (click HERE to be directed to the form).
  6. Rain fall design is based on 100 year, 1 hour storm. One inch per hour (OSSC Figure 1611.1) or 0.010 gallon per minute per square foot (refer to OPSC 1101.12 and Appendix D, Table 101.1)
  7. The frost depth for foundation design is 24 inches below grade.
  8. Flood Loads (if applicable) under OSSC section 1612 or ORSC R301.2.4, R322, and Standard ASCE 24.
  9. Adopted Codes: 
    1. 2021 Oregon Electrical Specialty Code (OESC) adopted April 1, 2021
    2. 2021 Oregon Plumbing Specialty Code (OPSC) adopted April 1, 2021
    3. 2021 Oregon Residential Specialty Code (ORSC) adopted April 1, 2021 (applications submitted between April 1, 2021 and September 30, 2021 may use 2017 Oregon Residential Specialty Code) 
    4. 2021 Oregon Energy Efficiency Specialty Code (OEESC) adopted April 1, 2021.
    5. 2019 Oregon Structural Specialty Code (OSSC) (mid cycle amendments adopted April 1, 2021)

Building permit fees can be determined from each application form, ball park (project valuation <$400K+2.5 % valuation, over $500K+2%) typically fees have not exceeded these ballpark figures.


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