County staff propose re-adopting building-code provisions to close safety gaps

Rob Sayler and Stephanie Brown of the Community Development Department presented a draft code enforcement ordinance to the Klamath County Board of Commissioners on July 7, arguing that changes in state oversight and Senate Bill 915 have created enforcement gaps for remodels and other local construction activity.

Sayler and Brown said the draft language restores provisions that had been removed in prior updates and is modeled on historical county ordinance language rather than a newly invented approach. They emphasized the public-safety rationale for re-adoption and described coordination with the fire department and city code enforcement on structural-safety assessments.

County staff told the Board they are coordinating with county legal counsel and the State to ensure compliance and transparency. The Board took the proposal under advisement and directed staff to return with the ordinance for further review in a few weeks; no formal adoption occurred at the July 7 meeting.

Why it matters: staff framed the measure as closing current enforcement gaps that can allow unlawful or unsafe construction to proceed without local oversight. The Board’s review process will determine whether the county proceeds to a formal hearing or adoption.

Next steps: staff will consult with legal counsel and state contacts and return to the Board for additional consideration.