The Code-Up initiative seeks to create markets for modular mass timber housing by updating state and local planning and development codes to remove regulatory barriers to new housing types. With this investment, the DLCD will work directly with cities and Economic Development Districts to increase development and technical capacity by modernizing planning and development codes to accommodate modular mass timber homes in rural and wildfire-impacted communities.
Planned actions:
1. Development streamlining: Code-Up project partners will provide technical assistance for updating planning and development codes in approximately thirty (30) Oregon cities, prioritizing jurisdictions that lost critical housing stock to wildfire events, ten (10) in the first two years.
2. Technical assistance: DLCD will contract with specialized planning consultants to provide technical support amending local planning and building codes to allow and encourage the development of mass timber modular housing in those communities.
3. Increased local capacity: Because many smaller cities lack staff capacity, DLCD’s Code-UP project will provide for subawards to participating cities and Economic Development Districts to engage in the work.
4. Equitable engagement: The Code-Up engagement team will ensure that underserved community members benefit equitably from the provision of mass timber modular housing and related employment opportunities. The DLCD team and culturally responsive outreach partners will provide information, collect data on community needs and customize siting and design approaches for each participating community.
5. Industry engagement: In addition, the team will present webinars and fact sheets at industry events, such as with the Oregon Homebuilders, League of Oregon Cities, Association of Oregon Counties, and the Oregon Chapter of the American Planning Association. Information will be hosted on a public website.