2025-408-Minutes for Meeting November 10,2025 Recorded 12/2/2025vtES C
� O
BOARD OF
COMMISSIONERS
1300 NW Wall Street, Bend, Oregon
(541)388-6570
Recorded in Deschutes County CJ2025-408
Steve Dennison, County Clerk
Commissioners' journal 12/02/2025 11:59:01 AM
2025-408
BOCC MEETING MINUTES
1:00 PM MONDAY November 10, 2025 Allen Room
Live Streamed Video
Present were Commissioners Anthony DeBone, Patti Adair and Phil Chang. Also present were
County Administrator Nick Lelack; Senior Assistant Legal Counsel Kim Riley; and
BOCC Executive Assistant Brenda Fritsvold (via Zoom).
This meeting was audio and video recorded and can be accessed at the Deschutes County
Meeting Portal: www.deschutes.org/meetings.
CALL TO ORDER: Chair DeBone called the meeting to order at 1:00 pm.
CITIZEN INPUT:
• Justin Gottlieb noted that next year is the 250th anniversary of the nation's
founding; spoke to the traditional ideals of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness;
and said current -day societal focus on wealth, technology and charity is not working.
He encouraged a conversation about cultural frames of reference and governance
structures at the county, state, and national levels.
COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCEMENTS: None
AGENDA ITEMS:
1. Update on Cleveland Commons from Housing Works
Lynne McConnell, executive director of Housing Works, presented an update on
Cleveland Commons, a permanent supportive housing facility which opened in
BOCC MEETING NOVEMBER 10, 2025 PAGE 1 OF 5
Bend this past January. McConnell provided information on the services offered
to residents, including haircuts, veterinary care for pets, and hospice. She
acknowledged that the facility has experienced some staffing challenges and
shared that one incident proceeded to an investigation, which was completed
and is now considered resolved.
McConnell said residents of Cleveland Commons are chronically homeless and
either disabled or have significant physical and/or mental health challenges. She
distributed copies of a recent newsletter which contained information on
upcoming and past events hosted by the facility and expressed appreciation for
the many service partners who provide needed assistance to residents.
In response to McConnell's comments on the need for approximately 700
permanent supportive housing units in Central Oregon, Commissioner Chang
noted that Mountain View Community Development is planning a permanent
supportive housing facility for East Redmond. McConnell said she knew of no
other such facilities being planned at this time.
Responding to Commissioner Adair, McConnell confirmed that Cascade
Management assumed management of the facility on March 1 St. McConnell said
while Cleveland Commons is a low -barrier facility, residents are required to abide
by a set of rules and further must pay up to 30% of their income as rent.
McConnell added that it can be hard for substance users/abusers to achieve
sobriety without stable housing.
Commissioner Adair asked if tenants can use drugs in their own apartment.
McConnell explained that landlord/tenant laws curtail monitoring this kind of
activity in private spaces.
Discussion ensued of an article recently published in The Source regarding
Cleveland Commons.
In response to questions, McConnell said it's generally expected that stabilization
of a previously unhoused tenant can take nine months. She added that some
residents are particularly challenged by living in a group situation.
Commissioner DeBone asked about the source of needed funding for the
facility's operations. Saying that most of this is received from the State,
McDonnell added that because the construction of the facility was completed
under budget, some of the funding received for development is instead now
being used for operations.
BOCC MEETING NOVEMBER 10, 2025 PAGE 2 OF 5
Commissioner Chang expressed his appreciation that Housing Works has
provided more than 1,000 affordable housing units in the County, and further
thanked Shepherd's House for helping a large number of people to move
towards/achieve sobriety.
2. Update from Terrebonne Sanitary District
Guy Vernon introduced the update from the Terrebonne Sanitary District,
saying this community -driven effort began in 2019 and explaining the goal of
developing a regional wastewater solution to benefit public health, housing, and
economic development.
Parker Vernon next outlined progress made to date, saying that approximately
90 percent of the system design work has been completed by Parametrix. In
addition, coordination with ODOT on a nearby road project resulted in the
installation of about 25% of the needed pipeline, and an intergovernmental
agreement with the City of Redmond to accept and treat discharge has
eliminated the need for a separate treatment plant.
The District reported increased numbers of property annexations, with more
than 100 additional properties (about 200-250 equivalent dwelling units/EDUs)
annexed beyond Phase 1 of the project; another 300-400 EDUs are anticipated
to join during the next annexation phase in the spring. Expected benefits of the
project include addressing Terrebonne's high septic failure rates, protecting
groundwater, facilitating school capacity expansion, and unlocking several
hundred developable lots consistent with State housing initiatives.
With respect to project financing, Linda Swearingen said the District was
approved for a $100,000 Clean Water State Revolving Fund planning loan that
will convert to a grant, and applications are pending for additional funding from
Business Oregon's Housing and Infrastructure program and a separate Clean
Water State Revolving Fund loan. Swearingen explained that funds previously
allocated by the County are being used to match other revenue sources.
Guy Vernon concluded that once the project is fully designed, its construction
cost can be determined.
3. Scope of Work Proposals: Senate Bill 83, Wildfire Building Codes, and
Defensible Space Standards Update from Terrebonne Sanitary District
Senior Planner Kyle Collin reviewed action taken by the Oregon Legislature
earlier this year to repeal the State's Wildfire Hazard Map and associated codes.
In presenting local action options for the Board's consideration, Collins proposed
separating the potential adoption of R327 building hardening standards for new
BOCC MEETING NOVEMBER 10, 2025 PAGE 3 OF 5
residential construction from future consideration of defensible space
standards, advising that the latter be taken up when model language is available
from the Oregon State Fire Marshal.
Collins said if Deschutes County decides to adopt R327 provisions as contained
in the State's Building Code, it must adopt those regulations in full. He noted
that none of the standards apply to commercial development, and certain
exceptions (for example, in the case of rebuilding after a fire) can be made.
Commissioner Chang said while it is appropriate to require building hardening
for new construction, implementing defensible space requirements would affect
many more properties and therefore have broader impact on community
resiliency.
Saying that it seems appropriate in Deschutes County to have fire hardening
standards for new construction, Commissioner DeBone supported referring the
question of whether to adopt the State's R327 standards to the Planning
Commission to facilitate outreach and awareness. Commissioner Adair stated
her support for this option as well.
Discussion ensued regarding costs to homeowners and the applicability of
existing standards to construction components such as glazing. Acknowledging
that many builders are already choosing fire-resistant materials for some
components such as roofing, Collins estimated that full fire hardening could
increase the construction cost of a single family home by two to three percent,
The Board directed staff to refer the question of whether to adopt the State's
R327 building hardening standards to the Planning Commission for public input
and development of a recommendation to the Board.
OTHER ITEMS:
• Commissioner Chang relayed discussions on the possible establishment of a multi -
county coalition to advocate for significant capital construction investments from
the State to address safety concerns along Highway 97.
• Commissioner DeBone traveled to Salem last Wednesday for several meetings,
including one at the Oregon Department of Emergency Management regarding
coverage enhancements for the First Responder Network (FirstNet) Authority, a
nationwide public safety broadband network.
• Commissioner DeBone attended last Thursday's COIC meeting.
• Commissioner Adair reported on interviews held last Wednesday for the Fair & Expo
Director position.
BOCC MEETING NOVEMBER 10, 2025 PAGE 4 OF 5
• Commissioner Adair attended the "Bite of Reality" event hosted by Mid Oregon
Credit Union to help youth and young adults gain financial literacy by considering a
variety of simulated real -world financial choices and weighing their options in a fun,
no -risk environment.
EXECUTIVE SESSION:
At 2:26 pm, the Board entered Executive Session under ORS 192.660 (2) (e) Real Property
Negotiations.
The Board exited Executive Session at 2:34 pm and directed staff to proceed as discussed.
ADJOURN:
Being no further items to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 2:35 pm.
DATED this ) b day of YK"Alb-�&25 for the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners.
ATTEST:
_4M1/4L_
RECORDING SECRETARY
ANTHONY DEBONE, CHAIR
PATTI ADAIR, VICE CHAIR
PHIL CHANG, C MMISSIONER
BOCC MEETING NOVEMBER 10, 2025 PAGE 5 OF 5
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS' MEETING
REQUEST TO SPEAK
Citizen Input or Testimony
Subject: 6u". ' -rzA c5�'�i�1/G �'�7Z. Date: -f(�
Name��-
Address S '}
Phone#s_
E-mail address
1-1 In Favor Neutral/Undecided ❑ Opposed
Submitting written documents as part of testimony? Yes El No
If so, please give a copy to the Recording Secretary for the record.
SUBMIT COMPLETED REQUEST TO
RECORDING SECRETARY BEFORE MEETING BEGINS
BOARD OF
COMMISSIONERS
MEETING DATE: November 10, 2025
SUBJECT: Update on Cleveland Commons from Housing Works
RECOMMENDED MOTION:
N/A —presentation only.
BACKGROUND AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS:
In 2021, the Deschutes County Board of Commissioners contributed $2 million towards the
construction of Cleveland Commons, a 33-unit permanent supportive housing established
to serve persons who have faced significant barriers to stable housing, particularly those
with disabilities and long-term histories of homelessness. Other project partners included
Neighborlmpact, Housing Works, and FUSE.
Shepherd's House manages the day-to-day operations of Cleveland Commons. Residents
are provided with wraparound case management services including primary healthcare
and behavioral health and substance use recovery services.
Lynne McConnell, the Executive Director of Housing Works, will share information on the
operations of Cleveland Commons since it opened in early 2025.
BUDGET IMPACTS:
None
ATTENDANCE:
Lynne McConnell, Housing Works Executive Director
The nurse will be here for drop -in care,
on Wednesday's from 8:30am -
11:30am. This is a `first come first
served' situation so please be prompt
if you would like to be seen that day.
Thanks!
Beretta! - 7 years old
• Thursdays at 6pm, Church Dinner,
at CC
• Fridays at 2pm, NAM I, at CC
• Nov. 5: Haircuts By Kai, 4:30pm
• Nov.19: Haircuts By Kai, 4:30pm
• Nov. 20: CAMP Pet Clinic
• Nov. 26: Thanksgiving Meal
12:15pm, at CC
• Nov. 27: Happy Thanksgiving!
Why did the scarecrow get promoted
in November?
Because he was outstanding in his
field.
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What do you get when you cross a
turkey with a banjo?
A turkey that can pluck itself.
1
FM
Please join us on Friday afternoons,
at 2pm, for our weekly NAM1
meeting. It is held right here at CC,
in the group room. We have hot
cocoa and chocolate available
during the meeting. It is a time of
talking about what's going on in life
in the 'here and now', listening to
each other, and discussing various
mental health related topics.
NAMI stands for'NationalAlliance on
Mental Illness." Groups are 60-90
minute meetings, held once a week.
Each meeting has an agenda, and
we review the Principles of Support,
and the Group Guidelines at each
meeting. These groups are led by
individuals with first hand
experience with mental illness. Debi
and Sarah are newly trained peer
leaders. Come learn with us!
Are you winter ready? Here are some recourses that may be helpful.. The
Lighthouse is doing a cold weather clothing drive, so the Men's House will soon
have options. Also the Humane Society Thrift Store provides vouchers for
clothing up to $30, every 6 months. Bethlehem Inn also has a clothing closet.
0
0
November 4,1842 -Abraham Lincoln
married Mary Todd in Springfield,
Illinois.
November 7,1885 - Canada's first
transcontinental railway, the
Canadian Pacific, was completed in
British Columbia.
November 19,1493 - Puerto Rico was
discovered by Columbus during his
second voyage to the New World.
The Lighthouse is providing
Thanksgiving 'Dinner' for us!
Come eat with us at 12:15pm
Wednesday November 26th at
CC. Then Thursday, celebrate
however you'd like. Thanksgiving
dinner twice? ... yes please! (The
church WILL NOT be serving
dinner here on Thanksgiving
Day) Y w
Do you want to contribute? Please reach out to Sarah
to. Also we'd love feedback! What do YOU all want this
.90
newsletter to be about? 1-14
vS E S COG2A
o
BOARD OF
COMMISSIONERS
MEETING DATE: November 10, 2025
SUBJECT: Update from Terrebonne Sanitary District
RECOMMENDED MOTION:
N/A —information only.
BACKGROUND AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS:
Representatives from the Terrebonne Sanitary District will provide an update on the
progress being made to establish a sanitary sewer system in Terrebonne in the interest of
protecting groundwater and public health.
BUDGET IMPACTS:
None
ATTENDANCE:
Kristin Yurdin, District Board Member
Guy Vernon, District Board Member
Objective
Reestablish the Terrebonne Sanitary District (TSD) project as a key regional initiative that
advances Deschutes County's goals for housing affordability, environmental protection, and
sustainable infrastructure. This project represents a collaborative partnership between the
community, Deschutes County, and multiple state and regional agencies —bringing long-
term health, housing, and economic benefits to Terrebonne and the greater Central Oregon
region.
Current Focus
The Terrebonne Sewer Project continues to progress as a model for community -driven
infrastructure planning. Current efforts are focused on finalizing design, securing key
funding, expanding district boundaries to include additional properties, and preparing for
construction in alignment with the Redmond Wetlands Project (completion 2027).
Comn'tunity Engagement & Public Involvement
• Initial Grassroots Support: Early petitions from more than 100 residents played a vital
rote in forming the district and establishing the foundation for community -backed
infrastructure.
• Ongoing Public Interest: Continued property owner requests for annexation show
growing confidence in the district and broad recognition of the project's value.
• Public Outreach Commitment: The district remains focused on transparent and
proactive communication through public meetings, newsletters, and social media to
ensure residents remain informed and engaged.
Deschutes County - For financial and technical collaboration totaling nearly $3 million in
direct support to date.
• Chris Doherty, ODOT - Deschutes County
• Todd Cleveland, Oregon DEQ
• Deschutes County Planning Commission
• Linda Swerengin & Nancy Blankenship
• Parametrix
TSD extends its sincere gratitude to Deschutes County for its ongoing commitment, financial
partnership, and leadership in helping move this critical infrastructure project forward.
• Formation and voter approval of the Terrebonne Sanitary District
• Nearly $3 million in total support from Deschutes County for design, technical
assistance, and planning loans
• 90% design completion with Parametrix
• Coordination with ODOT for sewer line installation during roadway projects
• Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with the City of Redmond for joint sewage
processing
• Annexation expansion: Over 100 additional properties included beyond Phase 1
boundaries
Benefits of Completion
• Public Health & Safety: Addresses Terrebonne's high septic failure rate, protecting
residents, groundwater, and local businesses.
• Affordable Housing & Growth: Unlocks hundreds of developable lots, aligning with H13
2138 and the Governor's Executive Order on increasing Oregon's housing supply.
• Educational Capacity: Enables the school to expand and accommodate more students by
resolving septic constraints.
• Economic Opportunity: Supports business growth, job creation, and long-term
community investment.
• Environmental Stewardship: Integrates with the Redmond Wetlands Project
(completion 2027) to provide a sustainable, regional wastewater solution.
Finance Update
who CWSRF 2025 Phrmlrig Loan CIEAN WATER STATE REVOLVIN6 FUND
Status: Approved and signed
Amount: $100,000
Purpose:
• Reimburse and fund annexation of additional properties
• Develop a District Management Plan for long-term operations
• Explore future annexations
Status: Application submitted
Amount Requested: $100,000
Purpose:
• Finalize design and engineering of the Terrebonne Sewer Project
• Secure required permits
• Prepare bid -ready documents and issue public bids for construction
Timeline: Notice of awards expected by Thanksgiving 2025.
Status: Application submitted
Amount Requested: $100,000
Purpose:
• Support annexation of additional properties
• Develop a fair and equitable user charge system, including SDCs and monthly rates
Ask for Continued County Support
The Terrebonne Sanitary District respectfully requests the continued partnership and
advocacy of the Deschutes County Commissioners to help keep the momentum of this
essential community project moving forward.
Together, we can deliver a lasting infrastructure solution that safeguards public health,
expands housing opportunities, and strengthens the future of Terrebonne and Deschutes
County.
I�N31
E S Co&
o <
MEETING DATE: November 10, 2025
SUBJECT: Scope of Work Proposals: Senate Bill 83, Wildfire Building Codes, and Defensible
Space Standards
RECOMMENDED MOTION:
Staff recommends the Board select one of the provided scope of work options for
reviewing new wildfire mitigation building code standards.
BACKGROUND AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS:
Staff requests direction from the Board of County Commissioners regarding Senate Bill (SB)
83 and new wildfire mitigation development standards available to local jurisdictions per
the legislation. This request follows direction from the Board during their July 23, 2025
meeting to create a scope of work for evaluating new wildfire mitigation standards.
Depending on the alternative selected by the Board, staff anticipates that any public
processes would begin Winter 2025-26.
All scoping options provided are specific to fire hardening building code standards for new
residential development, as these standards are immediately available for local adoption.
Potential defensible space standards will be discussed in the coming months as state
direction is refined
BUDGET IMPACTS:
None
ATTENDANCE:
Kyle Collins, Senior Planner
Will Groves, Planning Manager
I E S COG
MEMORANDUM
TO: Deschutes County Board of Commissioners
FROM: Kyle Collins, Senior Planner
Will Groves, Planning Manager
Peter Gutowsky, Community Development Director
DATE: November 4, 2025
SUBJECT: Scope of Work Proposals: Senate Bill 83, Wildfire Building Codes, and
Defensible Space Standards
Staff requests direction from the Board of County Commissioners (Board) regarding Senate
Bill (SB) 83' and new wildfire mitigation development standards available to local
jurisdictions per the legislation. This request follows direction from the Board during their
July 23, 20252 meeting to create a scope of work (SOW) for evaluating new wildfire
mitigation standards.
The following section outlines several possible public outreach and legislative processes
which could guide the development, evaluation, and adoption of new wildfire mitigation
text amendments to the Deschutes County Code (DCC). Depending on the alternative
selected by the Board, staff anticipates that any public processes would begin Winter 2025-
26.
For ease of implementation and differences in state adopted model codes, this legislative
effort has been broken into two separate projects:
1) Fire hardening standards for new residential development as outlined in section
R327 of the Oregon Residential Specialty Code (ORSC)
2) Forthcoming defensible spaces standards to be released by the Oregon State Fire
Marshal
All SOW options discussed herein are specific to fire hardening building code standards for
new residential development, as these standards are immediately available for local
1 https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2025R1/Downloads/Measu reDocument/SB83/Enrolled
2 https://www.deschutes.org/bcc/page/board-county-commissioners-meeting-243
adoption. Defensible space standards will be discussed in the coming months as state
direction is refined.
1. Scope of Work Options
Staff has drafted multiple SOW options for the Board's consideration. As outlined in the
tables below, these options are generally grouped according to the expected timeframe,
with additional public outreach corresponding to a longer potential adoption process.
Option 1 - Standard Legislative Amendment Process
Outreach
Number of Hearings
Expected Timeframe
Public hearings with
If reviewed as land use:
2-3 months, depending on
Planning Commission
One hearing before the
individual hearing
(Commission) and
Planning Commission and
participation.
Board*.
one hearing before the
Board.
If reviewed as building
code: One hearing before
the Board, with optional
information session with
the Planning Commission.
Pros
• Fast: allows for the expedited adoption of newly available fire mitigation building
codes.
• Standardized: matches a majority of legislative efforts in Deschutes County.
• Previous History: Builds directly on previous wildfire mitigation efforts already
undertaken by the County in 2019-2020, through the Wildfire Mitigation Advisory
Committee (WMAC).
Cons
• Less Upfront Education: Reduced public outreach efforts may produce some
confusion from community members.
• Limited Public Comment: Reduced opportunity to incorporate feedback from
community members in drafting legislative concepts prior to formal hearings
processes.
Page 2 of 8
Option 2 - Expanded Public Hearing Process
Outreach
Number of Hearings
Expected Timeframe
Multiple public
If reviewed as land use:
4-6 months, depending on
hearings with the
Between 3-5 public
individual hearing
Commission and
hearings with the Planning
participation and number of
Board.
Commission, potentially
hearings conducted.
spread over multiple
geographic areas of the
County.
If reviewed as building
code: Between 3-5 public
hearings before the Board,
with optional information
sessions with the Planning
Commission as directed.
Pros
• Greater Upfront Education: Expanded opportunities for formal public comment
may produce a more robust legislative outcome.
• More Public Engagement: Additional opportunities for the Planning Commission
to interface with the public in diverse regions of the County.
• Previous History: Builds directly on previous wildfire mitigation efforts already
undertaken by the County in 2019-2020, through the WMAC.
Cons
• Uncertain Outcome: Additional public hearings are not guaranteed to result in a
consensus outcome.
• Delayed Implementation: will likely result in additional unmitigated development.
• Limited Staff Capacity: Technical and capacity challenges from both staff and
Commissioners in hosting multiple public hearings across various regions of the
County.
Page 3 of 8
Option 3 - Community Meeting and Public Hearing Process
Outreach
Number of Hearings
Expected Timeframe
Several informal
If reviewed as land use:
4-8 months, depending on
community
One hearing before the
individual hearing
outreach/education
Planning Commission and
participation and number of
efforts spread over
one hearing before the
informal public outreach.
multiple geographic
Board.
areas of the County.
If reviewed as building
Informal outreach
code: One hearing before
efforts followed by a
the Board, with optional
standard public
information session with
hearing process.
the Planning Commission.
Pros
• Greater Upfront Education: Expanded opportunities for public education may
provide staff an opportunity to incorporate community perspectives in legislative
frameworks prior to a formal hearing process.
• Additional Expertise: Staff may be able to invite subject matter experts such as the
Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) and various fire protection districts to help
answer questions regarding possible legislative outcomes prior to a formal hearing
process.
• More Public Engagement: Increased public involvement to help build community
understanding and trust.
Cons
• Uncertain Outcome: Additional public education events are not guaranteed to
result in a consensus outcome.
• Delayed Implementation: will likely result in additional unmitigated development.
• Limited Capacity: Technical and capacity challenges from both staff and subject
matter experts in hosting multiple public education events across various regions
on the County.
Page 4 of 8
II. BACKGROUND
During the 2021 state legislative session, Senate Bill (SB) 7623 was passed to help modernize
and improve wildfire preparedness across Oregon. SB 762 was subsequently modified by
the passage of SB 804 in 2023. These pieces of legislation were developed to address wildfire
issues through three key strategies: creating fire -adapted communities, developing safe and
effective responses, and increasing the resiliency of Oregon's landscapes.
One of the primary components of SBs 762 and 80 was the creation of a comprehensive
Statewide Wildfire Hazard Map (Hazard Map) to guide new wildfire regulations for
development. Under SBs 762 and 80, once the Hazard Map was finalized, properties included
in both a designated Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) boundary and classified as high hazard
would be subject to additional development regulations. SB 80 required that, at a minimum,
local governments ensure that properties meeting both of these classifications would be
subject to:
1) Home hardening building codes as described in section R327 of the Oregon
Residential Specialty Code.
2) Defensible space standards as determined by the Oregon State Fire Marshal.
However, due to public concern the state legislature repealed the Hazard Map and all
associated requirements in June 2025 with the passage of SB 83. SB 83 also makes available
new standards to local governments broadly similar to those originally controlled by the
Hazard Map. However, SB 83 makes the following changes to any locally adopted wildfire
mitigation standards:
• Limits the implementation of section R327 of the Oregon Residential Specialty Code
(ORSC) to new dwellings and residential accessory structures over 400 square feet.
o Under the newly modified section repairs or replacements of existing
components (i.e. - roofs, siding, etc.) and additions to existing dwellings are
not mandatorily subject to R327.
• Removes requirements for local government to identify specific geographic regions
for implementing any adopted wildfire mitigation standards.
o Previously, R327 building code standards and associated mitigation
requirements were required to be implemented through the establish of a
locally adopted "Wildfire Hazard Map." This requirement has been removed
and jurisdictions have been granted broad latitude to determine where to
implement any locally adopted standards.
At the local level, Deschutes County previously went through an exercise in 2019-2020 with
the collaborative Wildfire Mitigation Advisory Committee (WMAC) to determine if changes
were warranted to the Deschutes County Wildfire Hazard Zone and whether additional
3 https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2021 R1 /Downloads/MeasureDocument/SB762/Enrolled
4 https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2023Rl /Down loads/Measu reDocu ment/SB80/En rolled
Page 5 of 8
mitigation standards should be considered for new development. That process ultimately
concluded with a report summarizing recommendations from the WMAC5 as well as an
outreach report gauging public interest in new wildfire mitigation standards'. Ultimately, the
Board decided the Deschutes County Wildfire Hazard Zone should remain unchanged. Prior
to continued discussions regarding new wildfire mitigation standards, SB 762 was passed
and largely removed local discretion on new mitigation standards until present.
III. KEY ISSUES
Outside of selecting a specific SOW, the Board should be aware of several key issues that will
ultimately need to be considered through any public process. The Board does not need to
make decisions on these issues at present, but they are provided for informational purposes:
Pending State Level Actions
Prior to implementation of any new wildfire mitigation standards at the local level, rule
making and associated actions must be undertaken by state agencies including the State
Building Codes Division (BCD) and the Oregon State Fire Marshal.
As of August 5, 2025, temporary rules have been adopted by BCD which modified section
R327 of the ORS C71. BCD anticipates making these rules permanent effective January 1, 2026.
In the interim period, the temporary rules still allow local jurisdictions to adopt R327 Building
Code standards.
Standards for defensible space have not yet been developed by the Oregon State Fire
Marshal, but it is staffs understanding that a model defensible code will released by the end
of 2025. This code will be modeled on the 2024 International Wildland Urban Interface Code,
and will likely include a set of minimum standards, with the option for additional stringency
at the local level if desired. Staff will provide updates as more information is available.
Wooden Shake Roofs
It appears that the County's 2001 prohibition on wooden shake roofs has been rescinded.
The Deschutes County Code (DCC), currently prohibits the construction of wooden shake
roofs, whether in new construction or repairs/replacements, through tailored
https•//www.deschutes.org/sites/default/files/fileattachments/community development/page/17911
/2020-04-17 wmac final report complete.pdf
6
https://www.deschutes.org/sites/default/files/fileattachments/community development/page/17911
/wildfire mitigation outreach summary report.pdf
' https•//www oregon gov/bcd/laws-rules/Documents/20250805-orsc-amend-r327-tr.pdf
8 https•//www.oregon.gov/bcd/codes-stand/Documents/23orsc-r327-a mend.pdf
Page 6 of 8
implementation of R327 of the ORSC9. However, SB 83 has modified the R327 section in the
following ways:
1) If adopted locally, R327 must be adopted in whole and cannot be adopted in a partial
manner
2) R327 can now only be mandated for the construction of new dwellings and certain
accessory structures
Given these changes, it appears that the Board cannot maintain the previous prohibition on
wooden shake roofs without incorporating the other portions of R327. Additionally, it
appears that regardless of decisions from the Board, the County can no longer require
existing wooden shake roofs to come into compliance with R327 standards when property
owners seek a roof replacement or major repair on existing dwellings.
Implementation Areas
Previously, section R327 required the adoption of a local Wildfire Hazard Zone for
implementation of any state level wildfire mitigation standards. Adopted Wildfire Hazard
Zones which administered these standards were mandated to incorporate certain
geographic, climate, and vegetation features. Additionally, Deschutes County has maintained
a locally adopted Wildfire Hazard Zone since 200110. The County Wildfire Hazard Zone covers
all areas of unincorporated Deschutes County.
SB 83 removes the specific requirement for locally adopted Wildfire Hazard Zones to
implement any R327 building code standards or newly developed defensible space
standards. SB 83 provides broad latitude to local governments on where new mitigation
rules are implemented and may be based on a wide variety of possible attributes.
If the Board ultimately determines that new mitigation standards are warranted, a key
decision point will be the geographic scope where standards would apply. Should the Board
elect to target mitigation standards to specific geographic areas, then any proposed
amendments will need to be evaluated under a land use process, which has distinct
procedural requirements that must be addressed. Should R327 building code standards be
adopted across all areas on the County equally, then the legislative process no longer needs
to follow land use procedures.
9
https•//deschutescounty municipalgodeonline com/book?type=ordinances#name=15 04 085 Wildfir
e Hazard Zones
10
https•//www deschutes org/sites/default/files/fileattachments/community development/page/17911
/ordinance 2001-024.pdf
Page 7 of 8
IV. NEXT STEPS
Per the Board's direction, staff will begin scheduling all required public hearings,
informational sessions, or public outreach events necessary to evaluate new wildfire
mitigation building code standards.
Attachments:
1. 2025 Estimate Report for Wildfire -Resistant Homes Construction Costs - Headwaters
Economics
Page 8 of 8
Construction Costs for Wildfire -Resistant Homes
A comparison between California Wildland-Urban Interface Code (CWUIC) Part i,
IBHS Wildfire Prepared Home Base, and IBHS Wildfire Prepared Home Plus
Pall 2025
Insurance
Institute for HEADWATERS
Business&
Home ECONOMICS
Construction Costs for Wildfire -Resistant Homes
A comparison between California Wildland-Urban Interface Code
(CWUIC) Part 7, IBHS Wildfire Prepared Home Base, and IBHS Wildfire
Prepared Home Plus
Authors
Kimiko Barrett, Ph.D. I Sr. Wildfire Research & Policy I kimi aheadwaterseconomics.org
Steve Hawks I Sr. Director for Wildfire I shawksna,ibhs.org
This report was produced by Headwaters Economics with generous support from the USDA Forest Service
and private foundations. This organization is an equal opportunity provider. The recommendations in this
document are general suggestions aimed at reducing the risk of wildfire damage to a single-family home.
Implementing these suggestions does not guarantee theprevention of damage. Everyproperty and situation is
unique, and we recommend consulting with local fire authorities or professionals for advice tailored to speck
conditions. The organizations thatproduced this report are not liable for any damages or losses that may occur
by following these recommendations.
HEADWATERS
ECONOMICS
P.O. Box 7059 1 Bozeman, MT 59771
https://headwaterseconomics.org
Construction Costs for Wildfire -Resistant Homes - 2 - Fall 2025
Table of Contents
Table of Contents ....................... 2
ExecutiveSummary ...................... 4
Methods&Assumptions ................... 6
Roof.............................. 7
Under -Save Area ...................... 7
Exterior Walls ........................ 8
Windows & Doors ...................... 8
Attached Deck ........................ 9
Zone 0 (Near -Home Landscaping) ............ 9
Conclusion...........................10
Appendix: Cost and Materials Tables ............11
Construction Costs for Wildfire -Resistant Homes - 3 - Fall 2025
Executive Summa
In January 2025 the County and City of Los Angeles was devastated by catastrophic wildfires that destroyed
more than 16,000 structures. As rebuilding efforts begin, constructing homes to wildfire -resistant standards is
essential to strengthening long-term community resilience and reducing future wildfire losses.
California, a leader in wildfire mitigation, enforces some of the nation's most comprehensive building
regulations through its Building Code Chapter 7A (Materials and Construction Methods for Exterior Wildfire
Exposure), which outlines materials and construction methods for exterior wildfire exposure in the higher
wildfire hazard areas of the state. Homeowners and builders can comply through prescriptive or performance -
based approaches, offering flexibility in achieving wildfire resistance. On January 1, 2026, Chapter 7A will
become Part 7 (Title 24) of the California Wildland-Urban Interface Code (CWUIC).
Complementing state efforts, the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) has developed the
Wildfire Prepared Home (WFPH) program —along with its enhanced Wildfire Prepared Home Plus (WFPH
Plus) designation —to standardize mitigation practices nationwide. The IBHS Wildfire Prepared program
provides a systems -based approach to wildfire risk reduction through mitigations to the structure and defensible
space that reduces the risk of home ignition from embers (WFPH Base) and flames/radiant heat (WFPH
Plus). This study provides detailed wildfire -resistant building material cost estimates for constructing homes
that meet these standards, with specific pricing for key components such as roofing, eaves, siding, windows/
doors, decks, and landscaping within the critical 0-5 foot noncombustible zone. The three different wildfire -
resistant scenarios are compared to building material costs for a home constructed with "traditional" non -
wildfire resistant building materials.
Analyzing the costs for wildfire -resistant measures beyond five feet from the home, such as the surrounding
defensible space, and the space between homes was beyond the scope of this project. However, these areas also
require attention. Reducing fuels between homes, including vegetation, outlying buildings, and fencing, disrupts
pathways for fire and embers to spread between neighbors. Ultimately, home and property wildfire mitigation
strategies are most effective when every home in the neighborhood participates.
Outcomes from this analysis suggest that wildfire -resistant building material costs for a one-story, 1,750-square-
foot, single-family home (with an estimated total construction cost value of $500,000) do not significantly
increase the costs relative to traditional non -wildfire -resistant home construction (i.e., homes not subject to
CWUIC Part 7). Key findings from this analysis include:
Building to IBHS WFPH Base standards yields a potential savings of more than $4,000 compared to
CWUIC Part 7 due to no gutter guard requirement, open eave building material considerations, and non -
tempered windows.
Building to WFPH Plus adds approximately $2,000 in wildfire -resistant materials over CWUIC Part 7.
For a 1,750 SF single -level home, added features include enclosed eaves, noncombustible soffits, and double -
tempered windows.
Building to CWUIC Part 7 adds about $13,000 over traditional construction costs due to features like
flame- and ember -resistant vents, open eave building material considerations, metal gutter systems, fire -
rated wallboard for exterior walls, dual -paned single tempered windows, and a 0-5 foot noncombustible
zone (rock mulch and metal fence).
When constructing a new home, many wildfire -resistant building material costs are comparable to non -
wildfire resistant material costs. As indicated with previous studies, some of the most effective strategies to
Construction Costs for Wildfire -Resistant Homes - 4 - Fall 2025
reduce structure vulnerability to wildfire are relatively affordable. Risk -reduction strategies such as removing
flammable materials from on top of and under the deck, clearing gutter systems, removing vegetation and debris
from the roof, ensuring a 0-5 foot noncombustible zone, and relocating flammable materials from underneath
the home are critical maintenance tasks with little to no cost to the homeowner.
Analysis from this study is explicit to wildfire -resistant building materials and did not capture the full building
material costs for constructing an entire home. Values are based on a representative home in Altadena,
California with a total estimated construction cost of around $500,000. In other words, there are many other
additional components and assemblies within a home that are not required for wildfire -resistant construction
and are therefore not included in this analysis.
Similarly, there are building materials indicative of home construction preferences in Altadena, California that
were assumed in this analysis. For example, common building material assemblies and design practices for this
area in southern California include a tiled roof covering, fiber -cement siding, and concrete pour -on -grade patio.
Additionally, since the model home was a pour -on -grade foundation, no foundation vents are included in the
analysis.
The estimated costs for constructing a wildfire -resistant home are derived from a detailed analysis of a specific
model home (see Methods& Assumptions section), which provides a clear, standardized baseline for evaluating
material and design upgrades. While these figures are highly tailored to the size, layout, and features of that
model home, findings from this research offer valuable insights into the broader cost implications of adopting
wildfire -resistant practices for a variety of structure types. Differences in individual home components
- for example, open eave construction versus enclosed eave construction - will influence associated cost
considerations. Many of the expenses for improved wildfire resistant construction, such as wildfire resistant
roofs, gutter systems, siding, venting, and a noncombustible zone -can be reasonably extrapolated to larger or
more complex homes, though actual costs will vary depending on scale, architectural complexity, site -specific
conditions, and materials selected.
Assembly
Component
Traditional
CWUIC Part 7
1IxsHSjPF Base t7 ,
Roof
Subtotal:
$25,321
$26,311
$26,311
$26,311
Eaves
Subtotal:
$1,900
$4,284
$3,681
$5,253
Exterior Walls
Subtotal:
$11,461
$13,569
$13,578
$13,591
Windows/
Doors
Subtotal:
$8,431
$11,391
$8,431
$12,241
Deck
Subtotal:
$1,968
$1,968
$1,968
$1,968
Zone 0
Subtotal:
$1,106
$3,742
$3,742
$3,742
TOTAL (+18% inflation):
$59,223
$72,293
$68,099
$74,465
Comparison to Traditional
$-
$13,070
$8,876
$15,242
Comparison to CWUIC Part 7
$-
$-
$(4,194)
$2,172
Construction Costs for Wildfire -Resistant Homes - 5 - Fall 2025
Methods & Assumptions
Reducing home ignitions from wildfire requires understanding the different types of fire exposures a home
might face. Homes burn down in three ways:
• Wind-blown embers traveling ahead of a wildfire can land on combustible material and ignite spot fires.
Direct and indirect ember ignition scenarios are the most common cause of ignitions.
• Radiant heat from a nearby fire can ignite combustible materials. The effect of radiant heat depends upon the
duration of the exposure, distance, and the intensity of the heat.
• Direct flame contact occurs when flames spread to touch a building or combustible material.
The three standards used in this analysis address one or more of the three types of fire exposure. While IBHS
WFPH Base primarily addresses ember exposure, CWUIC Part 7 and IBHS WFPH Plus are intended to reduce
vulnerability from all three types of ignition exposure.
The cost analysis for this study was based on a representative typical one-story, 1,750-square-foot, single-family
home (footprint specifications measuring approximately 35 feet by 50 feet) in Altadena, California. Estimated
costs are provided for constructing the home's roof, under-eave area, exterior walls, windows and doors, deck,
and near -home landscaping (also known as Zone 0 or the 0-5 foot noncombustible zone) to wildfire -resistant
standards. Suggested building materials considered southern California -specific housing trends, general
homeowner material and design preferences, and structure and property characteristics. Mitigation measures
for broader property management at the parcel level and minimizing fuels between homes, while critical in
reducing wildfire risk to the primary structure, were beyond the scope of this project. These measures include
maintaining defensible space and modifying sheds, outlying buildings, and other potential vulnerabilities!
Findings are adapted from results originally published in Headwaters Economics' report, Construction Costs
for a Wildfire -Resistant Home: California Edition (2022) and Building to Wildfire -Retrofitting a Home for
Wildfire Resistance: Costs and Considerations (2024).2
Building materials were selected based on their local availability and when possible, costs were verified with a
national database (RS Means, 2023) for standard construction costs. Construction costs for building materials
were calculated as a per -unit value. For instance, costs to replace individual windows, including glass and frame,
were calculated and reported separately from the cost of an exterior wall. An inflation adjustment of 18% was
added to total costs for each scenario to account for building material cost data collected in 2023.
Because of extensive variability in site conditions, composition, design, and building materials of home
construction, it is difficult to assign an explicit cost for a single structure or group of structures. This research is
therefore intended to provide an estimate of building materials for improved wildfire resistance.
The subsequent sections of this report provide an overview of the primary exterior home components most
vulnerable to fire exposure and estimated costs for related wildfire -resistant building materials. It is important
to note the estimates do not include contractor markup costs such as labor, overhead, and profit, which can
significantly increase baseline building material costs. Residents and homeowners should consult local
contractors for accurate, place -based construction costs.
I Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety. (2023). IBHS Early Insights: Lahaina Fire — 2023. Retrieved from https://ibhs.or /wp-con-
tent/uploads/IBH SEarlvins i Arts-LaliainaFire.pdf
2 Barrett K and Quarles SL. (2024). Retrofitting a Home for Wildfire Resistance: Costs and Considerations. Headwaters Economics. Retrieved
from https://headwaterseconomics.org/natural-hazards/retrofitting-home-wildfire-resistance/
Construction Costs for Wildfire -Resistant Homes - 6 - Fall 2025
Building Material Costs
Roof
Roofs are highly vulnerable to ignition due to their relatively large horizontal surface area. Many Class A fire -
rated roof covering options are available with the most common being asphalt fiberglass composition shingled
roof. Two vulnerable features of the roof edge can affect the vulnerability of the roof to ignition. These include
roof covering profiles where a gap exists between the roof covering and roof sheathing (i.e., the roof deck) and
gutters at the roof edge where vegetative debris can accumulate.
For this analysis, a tiled roof was assumed for all four scenarios and is the preferred roof covering for Altadena,
CA. For the wildfire -resistant homes (CWUIC, WFPH Base, WFPH Plus), flame- and ember -resistant vents,
metal flashing for roof valleys, and a fire-resistant underlayment were included in the cost analysis.
Assembly
Component
Traditional
CWUIC Pant 7iP
Roof
Roof covering
Tile
Tile
Tile
Tile
Flashing
None
Metal
Metal
Metal
Underlayment
Felt
Synthetic/Fire-resistant
Synthetic/Fire-resistant
Synthetic/Fire-resistant
Roof gaps/openings
Bird stopping
Bird stopping
Bird stopping
Bird stopping
Roof vents (ridge)
Plastic
Flame/ember-resistant vents
Flame/ember-resistant vents
Flame/ember-resistant vents
Subtotal:
$25,321
$26,311
$26,311
$26,311
Under-Eave Area
Eaves play an important role for building design but they also create vulnerabilities and pathways for the
building to ignite. Embers can travel through vents in the cave into the attic or accumulate in gaps between
blocking and rafters in open-eave construction. Should flames reach the under-eave area, open eaves can also
trap heat. Once there is an ignition in the under -cave area, fire will spread laterally more quickly.
Vents in the under-eave area allow air to enter the attic space. During a wildfire, vent openings can allow the
entry of wind-blown embers into the interior attic space. If combustible materials in the attic ignite, the house
can burn from the inside out. Newer vents have been designed to resist the intrusion of flames and embers.
Best practices for ignition resistance of an under-eave area are to enclose the cave with noncombustible soffit
material and install flame- and ember -resistant vents ("WUI" vents). For this analysis, an enclosed cave was
assumed for WFPH Plus construction, including a continuous linear flame- and ember -resistant vent. For the
other home scenarios, an open cave design was assumed with applicable building materials considerations for
vents and soffit.
Assembly
Component
Traditional
CWUIC Part 7111
i l' U >
Eaves
Design
Open
Open
Open
Enclosed
Exposed roof deck
Wood
Noncombustible - fiber
cement
Wood
N/A
Soffit
None
None
None
Noncombustible - fiber
cement
Soffit vents
Circular - resin
Circular flame/ember-
resistant
Circular flame/ember-
resistant
Linear flame/ember-resistant
Gaps/openings (vents)
None
Fire -rated caulk
Fire -rated caulk
Fire -rated caulk
Gutters
Vinyl
Metal
Metal
Metal
Gutter guard
None
Metal
None
Metal
Drip edge
None
Metal
Metal
Metal
Subtotal:
$1,900
$4,284
1 $3,681 1
$5,253
Construction Costs for Wildfire -Resistant Homes - 7 - Fall 2025
Exterior Walls
Exterior walls and components in the wall assembly can be vulnerable if exposed to embers, flames, or
prolonged radiant heat from burning items located close to the home. These exposures can ignite combustible
siding and the resulting flames can spread vertically and laterally to other wall components such as windows
and the under-eave area. Additional considerations for the exterior wall include exterior wall vents such as gable,
forced air, and foundation vents.
For this analysis, fiber -cement siding and trim were assumed for all four home scenarios and based on common
building material preferences for Altadena, CA. Since the model home is a pour -on -grade foundation, no
foundation vents were included in this analysis.
Assembly
Component
Traditional
!:WUIC Part 7 ,
B IS P Ssg r
Ext Walls
Siding
Noncombustible - fiber
cement
Noncombustible - fiber
cement
Noncombustible -fiber
cement
Noncombustible -fiber
cement
Trim
Noncombustible - fiber
cement
Noncombustible - fiber
cement
Noncombustible -fiber
cement
Noncombustible -fiber
cement
Wallboard
None
Gypsum
Gypsum
Gypsum
Forced Air vents
Vinyl
Vinyl
Vinyl w/ louver
Metal w/ louver
Subtotal:
$11,461
$13,569
$13,578
$13,591
Windows and Doors
The glass of the window is vulnerable to breaking from exposure to radiant heat or direct flame contact. When
glass in a window breaks, the combustible materials inside the home can be more easily ignited from the flames
and/or embers that enter into the home. Wood- and vinyl -framed windows can burn or melt when exposed to
radiant heat or flames, allowing the glass to fall out of the frame and flames and/or embers into the home.
Doors, including window glass set in doors, and door frames can fail for the same reasons as windows. Embers
can accumulate in the small gaps between the door and frame, resulting in ignition of the door -framing and
weather -sealing material including garage, pedestrian, and front doors.
A variety of different windows were assumed for this analysis and based on assumptions of traditional home
construction compared to wildfire -resistant (and energy efficiency) requirements. For both the traditional home
and WFPH Base, a vinyl -framed, single hung, dual -paned window with non -tempered (annealed) glass was
assumed. For compliance with CWUIC Part 7 and energy efficiency standards, a dual -paned, single -tempered
casement vinyl -framed window was analyzed. For the highest wildfire -resistance to prolonged radiant heat
(WFPH Plus), a dual -paned, double -tempered metal -clad casement window was priced out.
Assemb ly!Component
Traditional
CWUIC Part?
J
Windows
Sliding glass window (48"
x 36")
Vinyl framed; dual -paned,
non -tempered annealed
glass (single hung)
Vinyl framed; dual -paned,
single tempered (casement)
Vinyl framed; dual -paned,
non -tempered annealed
glass (single hung)
Dual paned double
tempered metal -clad glass
window (casement)
Doors
Pedestrian
Wood
Wood - solid core
Wood - solid core
Wood - solid core
Side door
Wood
Wood - solid core
Wood - solid core
Wood - solid core
Sliding glass patio
Vinyl
Vinyl
Vinyl
Vinyl
Garage
Aluminium
Aluminium
Aluminium
Aluminium
Subtotal:
$8,431
$11,391
$8,431
$12,241
Construction Costs for Wildfire -Resistant Homes - 8 - Fall 2025
Attached Deck
Similar to a roof, a deck has a large horizontal surface area and can be vulnerable to embers and under -deck
flames. A burning deck can expose the side of the house to extended radiant heat and/or direct flame contact.
The deck walking surface and structural support members, as well as what is stored on or below the deck, are
therefore important considerations. Enclosing the under -deck area with metal mesh screening can minimize the
accumulation of vegetative debris, vegetation, and other combustible materials.
Most commonly used deck board products (including wood and plastic composite boards) are combustible.
Decks with noncombustible walking surfaces include lightweight concrete or a flagstone product. Regardless
of the walking surface, decks are typically supported by solid wood joists, beams, and columns that will be
vulnerable to ignition if nearby combustible materials ignite.
For purposes of this study and based on homeowner preferences for the Altadena area in southern California,
a concrete pour -on -grade patio was assumed for all four home scenarios. A pour -on -grade patio eliminates
consideration of a structural support system including joists, beams, and columns that are required for an
elevated decking assembly and are not included in this analysis.
Assembly
Component .
Traditional
61VIC Part 7
lsii aNFPJ# a 3
Deck
Decking surface
Concrete pour -on -slab patio
Concrete pour -on -slab patio
Concrete pour -on -slab patio
Concrete pour -on -slab patio
Subtotal:
$1,968
$1,968
$1,968
$1,968
Zone 0 (0-5 foot noncombustible zone)
Landscaping makes the home vulnerable when it ignites and allows fire to burn directly to the home. Ignition
of near -home combustible materials (e.g., mulch, plants, fencing, vegetative debris and other combustible
materials) from embers allows flames to touch the home regardless of how well broader vegetation management
(defensible space) has been implemented and maintained.
Eliminating fuels within five feet of the home is an important mitigation strategy. The type of vegetation, mulch,
and other near -home landscaping features and combustible materials in this zone including fencing, will affect
the home's vulnerability to ember ignitions and the potential for radiant heat and direct flame contact.
This analysis considers mulch and fencing in the material selection within the 0-5 foot noncombustible zone.
For the traditional home, bark mulch and a wood fence (including posts) were evaluated. For the three wildfire -
resistant home scenarios, rock (pea gravel) mulch and a metal fence were analyzed. While there are many types
of fencing, materials included in this study were for privacy fencing (versus a boundary fence such as wrought
iron).
Assembly
P Com onent
Traditional
CWUIC Part?
Zone 0
Mulch
Cedar bark
Gravel
Gravel
Gravel
Fencing
Wood
Metal
Metal
Metal
Subtotal:
$1,106
$3,742
$3,742
$3,742
Construction Costs for Wildfire -Resistant Homes - 9 - Fall 2025
Conclusion
In conclusion, this analysis reinforces that incorporating wildfire -resistant building materials —whether
through California Wildland-Urban Interface Code (CWUIC) or the IBHS Wildfire Prepared Home (WFPH)
standards —can be achieved at a relatively modest increase in cost compared to traditional construction. For
a one-story, 1,750-square-foot mid -range home valued at $500,000, building to WFPH Base increases total
construction costs by 2% over a traditional home (and by 3% for WFPH Plus).
The estimated costs for building a wildfire -resistant home are based on a detailed assessment of a specific model
home, providing a standardized baseline for evaluating material and design upgrades. Although tailored to that
home's unique size and features, the findings offer broader insight into the potential costs of adopting wildfire -
resistant construction across different types of homes. Variations in design elements —such as open versus
enclosed eaves —affect overall expenses. Many fire-resistant upgrades, including roofing, siding, vents, gutters,
and a 0-5 foot noncombustible zone, can be extrapolated to larger or more complex homes, though actual costs
will vary with scale, design complexity, site -specific conditions, and building materials.
These investments provide meaningful protection against wildfire risks, especially when paired with simple,
low-cost maintenance actions like clearing debris and maintaining a noncombustible zone. While this study
focused on building materials, it also highlights the broader importance of community -wide mitigation,
including managing defensible space and reducing fuel continuity between neighboring properties. As wildfire
threats intensify across the West, the findings here suggest that building wildfire -resistant homes is both feasible
and financially practical —an essential step toward safeguarding communities in high -risk areas.
Construction Costs for Wildfire -Resistant Homes - 10 - Fall 2025
Appendix: Cost and Materials Tables
Wildfire -Resistant Construction & Costs (2025)
Data Tables
Cost Estimates 2023-2024
ABOUT THE DATA
Pricing is from local suppliers and RSMeans,a national database of construction materials, labor, and contractor 0&P costs.
Findings are adapted from results originally published in Headwaters Economics' report, Construction Costs for a Wildfire -
Resistant Home: California Edition (2022) and Building to Wildfire -Retrofitting a Home for Wildfire Resistance: Costs and
Considerations (2024).
RSMeans is updated quarterly, includes average construction cost indices from more than 970 cities, and uses the latest
negotiated labor costs for average wages in 30 major cities. Prices include the cost of material as installed (i.e., material plus
estimated labor and contractor overhead and profit costs). In some cases, pricing was not available through RSMeans and
costs were derived from building subject matter expert, supplier, or local distributors.
Pricing includes analyzed building material costs available locally (e.g., at Home Depot and Lowes) and when possible, verified
costs with a national database for standard construction costs. In most cases, demolition, labor, and contractor overhead are
not included in building material costs.
COLUMN DEFINITIONS
Assembly: major groupings, or systems, of features such as roof, eaves, exterior walls, windows/doors, and deck.
Component: describes the part of the assembly that was priced.
Traditional: building materials conventionally used in a non -wildfire -resistant home
CWUIC Part 7: California Wildland-Urban Interface Code (CWUIC), Title 24 Part 7 for wildfire -resistant home construction
IBHS WFPH Base: Minimum criteria to meet IBHS Wildfire Prepared Home designation, such as creating the 0-5 Foot
Noncombustible Zone, upgrading building features, and maintaining the defensible space surrounding the parcel to 30 feet.
IBHS WFPH Plus: Additional protective measures beyond the WFPH Base for key building features of the home, and to
achieve enhanced wildfire -resistance to flame and radiant heat.
ABOUT HEADWATERS ECONOMICS
Headwaters Economics is an independent, nonprofit research group. Our mission is to improve community development and
land management decisions.
https://headwaterseconomics.org
PO Box 7059, Bozeman, MT 59771
Contact: Kimiko Barrett, kimi@headwaterseconomics.org, 406-224-1837
Construction Costs for Wildfire -Resistant Homes - 11 - Fall 2025
Table 1: Building materials costs for wildfire -resistant standards
Assembly
Cj4m . �cnt
Traditional
CWUIC0ar7
SF sL
Roof
Roof covering
Tile
Tile
Tile
Tile
Flashing
None
Metal
Metal
Metal
Underlayment
Felt
Synthetic/Fire-resistant
Synthetic/Fire-resistant
Synthetic/Fire-resistant
Roof gaps/openings
Bird stopping
Bird stopping
Bird stopping
Bird stopping
Roof vents (ridge)
Plastic
Flame/ember-resistant vents
Flame/ember-resistant vents
Flame/ember-resistant vents
Subtotal:
$25,321
$26,311
$26,311
$26,311
Eaves
Design
Open
Open
Open
Enclosed
Exposed roof deck
Wood
Noncombustible - fiber
cement
Wood
N/A
Soffit
None
None
None
Noncombustible -fiber
cement
Soffit vents
Circular - resin
Circular flame/ember-
resistant
Circular flame/ember-
resistant
Linear flame/ember-resistant
Gaps/openings (vents)
None
Fire -rated caulk
Fire -rated caulk
Fire -rated caulk
Gutters
Vinyl
Metal
Metal
Metal
Gutter guard
None
Metal
None
Metal
Drip edge
None
Metal
Metal
Metal
Subtotal:
$1,900
$4,284
$3,681
$5,253
Exterior Walls
Siding
Noncombustible - fiber
cement
Noncombustible - fiber
cement
Noncombustible -fiber
cement
Noncombustible - fiber
cement
Trim
Noncombustible - fiber
cement
Noncombustible - fiber
cement
Noncombustible - fiber
cement
Noncombustible - fiber
cement
Wallboard
None
Gypsum
Gypsum
Gypsum
Forced Air vents
Plastic
Plastic
Vinyl w/ louver
Metal w/ louver
Subtotal:
$11,431
$13,569
$13,578
$13,591
Windows
Sliding glass window (48"
x 36")
Vinyl framed; single -paned,
non -tempered annealed
glass (single hung)
Vinyl framed; dual -paned,
single tempered (casement)
Vinyl framed; single -paned,
non -tempered annealed
glass (single hung)
Dual paned double
tempered metal -clad glass
window (casement)
Doors
Pedestrian
Wood
Wood - solid core
Wood - solid core
Wood - solid core
Side door
Wood
Wood - solid core
Wood - solid core
Wood - solid core
Sliding glass patio
Vinyl
Vinyl
Vinyl
Vinyl
Garage
Aluminium
Aluminium
Aluminium
Aluminium
Subtotal:
$8,431
$11,391
$8,431
$12,241
Deck
Decking surface
Concrete pour -on -slab patio
Concrete pour -on -slab patio
Concrete pour -on -slab patio
Concrete pour -on -slab patio
Subtotal:
$1,968
$1,968
$1,968
$1,968
Zone 0
Mulch
Cedar bark
Gravel
Gravel
Gravel
Fencing
Wood
Metal
Metal
Metal
Subtotal:
$1106
$3,742
$3,742
$3,742
TOTAL (+18%inflation):
$59,223
$72,293
$68,099
$74,465
Comparison to Traditional
$-
$13,070
$8,876
$15,242
Comparison to CWUIC Part 7
$-
$-
$(4,194)
$2,172
Construction Costs for Wildfire -Resistant Homes - 12 - Fall 2025
Table 2: Minimum criteria to meet wildfire -resistant standards
Component
C 1CPart7
5G k
Roof
Requires a Class A fire -rated roof covering. Plug gaps
Class A (cover or assembly)
Class A (cover or assembly)
covering and
at ends (i.e., bird -stopped, fire -stopped). A minimum
underlayment
36-inch-wide mineral -surfaced asphalt fiberglass
composition cap sheet must be installed under metal
valley flashing. Where the roof profile results in a gap
between the covering and the roof deck, a mineral -
surfaced asphalt fiberglass composition cap sheet must
be installed over the roof surface.
Roofvents
WUI vents on horizontal/vertical planes or non-
WUI vents or vents covered with
WUI vents orvents covered with
corrosive 1/16" to 1/8" screen on a sloped roof.
noncombustible, non -corrosive
noncombustible, non -corrosive 1/16"
1/16" to 1/8" screen on a sloped roof.
to 1/8" screen on a sloped roof.
Skylights (not
Glass unit must be dual -paned, single tempered and
N/A
Glass unit must be dual -paned,
included in
protected with noncombustible, non -corrosive 1/16" to
single tempered and protected with
analysis)
1/8" screen.
noncombustible, non -corrosive 1/16"
to 1/8" screen.
Eaves
Soffited or open-eave allowed. If open-eave, nominal 2x
N/A
Noncombustible soffit for enclosed
material (or greater) is required as blocking and rafters.
eave; Materials approved for 1 hour
Exposed roof deck shall be constructed of a material
fire resistance, or 2-inch nominal
that is noncombustible, or ignition -resistant, or tested
dimension lumber).
for 10-minute directflame contact, or have a one -hour
fire rating on the exterior side of the framing.
Eave/soffit vents
WUI vents on horizontal/vertical planes; non -corrosive
WUI vents or vents covered with
WUI vents or vents covered with
1/16" to 1/8" screen.
noncombustible, non -corrosive
noncombustible, non -corrosive 1/16"
1/16" to 1/8" screen.
to 1/8" screen.
Gutter System
Noncombustible gutters and downspouts. Gutter cover
Noncombustible gutters and
Noncombustible cover. Metal drip
(downspouts,
material unspecified. Metal drip edge assumed.
downspouts. No gutter guard req'd.
edge assumed,
gutter, guard,
Metal drip edge assumed.
drip edge)
Siding
Five options for compliance:1) noncombustible
6-inches of noncombustible
Noncombustible covering
material, 2) ignition -resistant material, 3) heavy timber
material on the base of the wall
construction, 4) log wall assembly, or 5) assembly
(cover).
complying with SFM 12-7.
Gable vents
WUI vents on horizontal/vertical planes.
WUI vents or vents covered with
WUI vents or vents covered with
noncombustible, non -corrosive
noncombustible, non -corrosive 1/16"
1/16" to 1/8" screen.
to 1/8" screen.
Dryervents
N/A
Louver required over vent opening
Louver required over vent opening
Foundation
WUI vents on horizontal/ vertical planes.
WUI vents or vents covered with
WUI vents or vents covered with
vents
noncombustible, non -corrosive
noncombustible, non -corrosive 1/16"
(Not included in this analysis due to pour -on -grade
1/16" to 1/8" screen.
to 1/8" screen.
foundation)
Windows
Four options for compliance:1) multipaned glazing with
N/A
Dual -paned; double tempered glass
a minimum of one tempered pane, 2) glass block units,
or fire -resistance rating of not less
3) fire -resistance rating of not less than 20 minutes, or 4)
than 20 minutes.
meeting performance requirements of SFM 12-7A-2.
Doors
Noncombustible; ignition -resistant covering; or 20
N/A
Noncombustible; ignition -resistant
minute fire rated door; or solid core; weather stripping
covering; or 20 minute fire rated door;
req'd for gaps in the door and door opening (>1/8").
or solid core.
Decking surface
Noncombustible; Ignition resistance materials, fire
N/A
Noncombustible
treated wood.
Mulch
Noncombustible
Noncombustible
Noncombustible
Fencing
Noncombustible within 5feet.
Noncombustible within 5feet.
Noncombustible within 5 feet. No
parallel (back-to-back) combustible
fences within 5 feet of each other (5-
30 feet from house).
Construction Costs for Wildfire -Resistant Homes - 13 - Fall 2025
�vSES CO
C, G 1
' �-� I BOARD OF
-�„f COMMISSIONERS
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MEETING
1:00 PM, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2025
Allen Room - Deschutes Services Building - 1300 NW Wall Street - Bend
(541) 388-6570 1 www.deschutes.org
AGENDA
MEETING FORMAT: In accordance with Oregon state law, this meeting is open to the public and
can be accessed and attended in person or remotely, with the exception of any executive session.
Members of the public may view the meeting in real time via YouTube using this link:
http://bit.ly/3mminzy. To attend the meeting virtually via Zoom, see below.
Citizen Input: The public may comment on any topic that is not on the current agenda.
Alternatively, comments may be submitted on any topic at any time by emailing
citizeninput@deschutes.org or leaving a voice message at 541-385-1734.
When in -person comment from the public is allowed at the meeting, public comment will also be
allowed via computer, phone or other virtual means.
Zoom Meeting Information: This meeting may be accessed via Zoom using a phone or computer.
• To join the meeting via Zoom from a computer, use this link: http://bit.ly/3h3ogdD.
• To join by phone, call 253-215-8782 and enter webinar ID # 899 4635 9970 followed by the
passcode 013510.
• If joining by a browser, use the raise hand icon to indicate you would like to provide public
comment, if and when allowed. If using a phone, press *9 to indicate you would like to speak
and *6 to unmute yourself when you are called on.
• When it is your turn to provide testimony, you will be promoted from an attendee to a
panelist. You may experience a brief pause as your meeting status changes. Once you have
joined as a panelist, you will be able to turn on your camera, if you would like to.
Time estimates:
The times listed on agenda items are estimates only. Generally, items will be heard in
sequential order and items, including public hearings, may be heard before or after
their listed times.
CALL TO ORDER
CITIZEN INPUT
The Board of Commissioners provides time during its public meetings for citizen input. This is an
opportunity for citizens to communicate to the Commissioners on matters that are not otherwise
on the agenda. Time is limited to 3 minutes.
The Citizen Input platform is not available for and may not be utilized to communicate obscene or
defamatory material.
Note: In addition to the option of providing in -person comments at the meeting, citizen input comments
may be emailed to citizeninput@deschutes.org or you may leave a brief voicemail at 541.385.1734.
COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCEMENTS
AGENDA ITEMS
1. 1:00 PM Update on Cleveland Commons from Housing Works
2. 1:20 PM Update from Terrebonne Sanitary District
3. 1:30 PM Scope of Work Proposals: Senate Bill 83, Wildfire Building Codes, and
Defensible Space Standards
These can be any items not included on the agenda that the Commissioners wish to discuss as part of
the meeting, pursuant to ORS 192.640.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
At any time during the meeting, an executive session could be called to address issues relating to ORS
192.660(2)(e), real property negotiations, ORS 192.660(2)(h), litigation, ORS 192.660(2)(d), labor
negotiations, ORS 192.660(2)(b), personnel issues, or other executive session categories.
Executive sessions are closed to the public, however, with few exceptions and under specific guidelines,
are open to the media.
4. Executive Session under ORS 192.660 (2) (e) Real Property Negotiations
ADJOURN
Deschutes County encourages persons with disabilities to participate in all
programs and activities. This meeting/event is accessible. Accommodations
including sign and other language interpreter services, assistive listening devices,
materials in alternate formats such as Braille, large print, electronic formats, or
language translations are available upon advance request at no cost. Please make
a request at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting/event by calling Brenda
Fritsvold at (541) 383-6572 or send an email to brenda.fritsvold@deschutes.org.
El condado de Deschutes anima a las personas con discapacidad a participar en
todos los programas y actividades. Esta reuni6n/evento es accesible. Hay
disponibles servicios de interprete de lengua de senas y de otros idiomas,
dispositivos de escucha asistida, materiales en formatos alternativos como braille,
letra grande, formatos electr6nicos, traducciones o cualquier otra adaptaci6n, con
solicitud previa y sin ningun costo. Haga su solicitud al menos 24 horas antes de la
reuni6n/el evento Ilamando a Brenda Fritsvold al (541) 388-6572 o envie un correo
electr6nico a brenda.fritsvold@deschutes.org.