OAR 813 § 813-310-0015
Federal and State Requirements Resolution
Operative Text
Where other state and federal accessibility requirements apply, including but not limited to the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements, that differ from these visitability requirements and both apply to a subsidized development project, the more stringent requirements shall control. It should be noted that there are other accessibility requirements established in state and federal law. Chief among these are the Oregon Structural Speciality Code, and when applicable, the Americans with Disabilities Act or Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards. Pursuant to state code requirements, public and common use areas and facilities such as recreational facilities, laundry facilities, garbage and recycling collection areas, mailbox locations, lobbies, foyers and management offices shall be accessible in applicable multifamily housing. (chapter 11, division I — Building Accessibility, New Construction, Group R Occupancies, Section 1106.1.10 — General, Oregon Structural Speciality Code). [Publications: Publications referenced are available from the agency.]
OAR 813 § 813-310-0015 establishes a 'most protective rule' for accessibility standards in subsidized development projects in Oregon: when both state and federal accessibility requirements apply to the same project, whichever set of requirements is more stringent takes precedence. The provision highlights that the Oregon Structural Specialty Code and, where applicable, the Americans with Disabilities Act or Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards, layer on top of basic visitability rules. In multifamily housing subject to these codes, public and common-use areas—such as laundry rooms, lobbies, mailbox locations, and management offices—must meet accessibility standards.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators and developers of subsidized housing projects in Oregon governed by OAR 813 § 813-310-0015 generally ensure that their projects are evaluated against both state and federal accessibility frameworks simultaneously, applying whichever standard is more demanding. Compliant projects typically address accessibility not only in individual dwelling units but also in shared spaces such as recreational facilities, garbage and recycling areas, foyers, and management offices, in line with the Oregon Structural Specialty Code (Chapter 11, Division I, Section 1106.1.10). Keeping documentation of how each applicable standard was assessed and which was applied as the controlling requirement is a common practice among operators managing these projects.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants living in subsidized multifamily housing in Oregon have protections under OAR 813 § 813-310-0015 that require common and public-use areas—including laundry facilities, lobbies, mailbox locations, and recreational spaces—to meet accessibility standards set by the Oregon Structural Specialty Code and, where applicable, federal law. If a tenant believes that shared spaces in their building fall short of these accessibility requirements, general enforcement paths include filing a complaint with the relevant state housing agency, contacting a local tenant-rights or disability-rights organization, or raising the issue with the building's management. Consulting a tenant-rights organization familiar with Oregon's accessibility and housing rules can help clarify which standards apply to a specific building type.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 7, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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