Oregon's wet climate and seismic activity create specific challenges for homes and the inspectors who evaluate them. From the rainy Willamette Valley to the drier Eastern Oregon high desert, homes face conditions that require regionally-informed inspection practices.
Moisture is Oregon's most significant home inspection concern. Western Oregon receives 35-50 inches of rain annually, with Portland averaging 154 rainy days per year. This constant moisture creates ideal conditions for wood rot, moss growth on roofs, and basement water intrusion. Inspectors pay particular attention to moisture-related issues that might go unnoticed in drier climates.
Seismic risk affects Oregon homes, particularly in the Portland metro and coastal areas. The Cascadia Subduction Zone presents a significant earthquake threat, and older homes often lack seismic retrofitting. Foundation bolting, cripple wall bracing, and water heater strapping are common inspection items.
Oregon follows the Oregon Residential Specialty Code, based on the International Residential Code with state amendments. The state has increasingly strict energy efficiency requirements, particularly for new construction. Home inspectors must be licensed by the Oregon Construction Contractors Board.
Radon exists in parts of Oregon, though levels are generally lower than Rocky Mountain states. Testing is still recommended, particularly in southern Oregon counties with higher geological radon potential.
Common Oregon Considerations
- Moisture damage and wood rot
- Moss and debris on roofs
- Foundation water intrusion
- Seismic retrofitting needs
- Aging systems in 1940s-1970s housing stock
Local Requirements: Oregon Residential Specialty Code, licensed inspector requirement through CCB