ORS § 90 § 90.460
Alternate exit from bedroom required; tenant right to recover for landlord noncompliance.
Operative Text
(1) As used in this section: (a) “Bedroom” has the meaning given that term in ORS 90.262. (b) “Building” means a dwelling unit or a structure containing a dwelling unit. (2) A landlord shall provide at all times during the tenancy a route or routes of exit from each bedroom and, if required, a secondary route of exit from each bedroom, for use during an emergency. The routes of exit must conform to applicable law in effect at the time of occupancy of the building or in effect after a renovation or change of use of the building, whichever is later. (3)(a) If the landlord fails to comply with the requirements of this section, the tenant may recover actual damages, and the tenant may terminate the tenancy by providing the landlord actual notice and a description of the noncompliance 72 hours prior to the date of termination. (b) If the landlord cures the noncompliance within the 72-hour period: (A) The tenancy does not terminate; and (B) The tenant may recover the tenant’s actual damages. (c) If the landlord fails to cure the noncompliance within the 72-hour period: (A) The tenancy terminates; (B) The tenant may recover twice the tenant’s actual damages or twice the periodic rent, whichever is greater; and (C) The landlord must return all security deposits and prepaid rent owed to the tenant under ORS 90.300 within four days after the termination.
ORS § 90.460 requires landlords to maintain at least one emergency exit route from every bedroom throughout a tenancy, and a secondary route where applicable law demands it. These routes must meet the building-code standards in effect when the building was first occupied or when it was later renovated or changed in use. If a landlord fails to meet this requirement, tenants have defined remedies, including the ability to recover damages or terminate the tenancy under a structured notice process.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under ORS § 90.460, compliant operators ensure that every bedroom has a code-conforming emergency exit route—and a secondary route where required—at all times during a tenancy. Landlords generally document which code standards applied at the time of original occupancy and at any subsequent renovation, and they verify that exit routes continue to meet those standards. When a tenant provides written notice of noncompliance, a landlord who cures the issue within 72 hours limits tenant remedies to actual damages and preserves the tenancy.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
ORS § 90.460 gives tenants the right to recover actual damages if a landlord fails to provide required bedroom emergency exit routes. If you give the landlord written notice describing the problem, the tenancy can be terminated 72 hours later if the issue is not fixed; in that case, you may recover twice your actual damages or twice the periodic rent, whichever is greater, plus the return of deposits. Tenant-rights organizations or a legal aid office can help you understand which remedies may apply to your situation.
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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