When the Building Department Says You Need an Engineer — What Now?

Many homeowners feel blindsided when their building department suddenly stops a project and says:

“You need an engineer for this.”

If that just happened to you, you’re not alone — this is extremely common throughout Oregon and Washington.

Even simple residential projects can trigger engineering requirements if they fall outside the prescriptive limits of the building code.

The good news:
This is exactly what we do.

Ogren Engineering specializes in helping homeowners move stalled projects forward with clear communication, fast turnaround, and permit-ready structural engineering.

Why the Building Department Requires Engineering

Local building officials are required to enforce state building codes. When your project includes conditions that the building code does not fully cover, the inspector must defer to a licensed Professional Engineer (PE).

Common reasons include:

1. Online or stock house plans

Most online plans are designed generically — they usually lack:

• Seismic design
• Wind design
• Lateral bracing details
• Foundation engineering
• Prescriptive path compliance

In the Pacific Northwest’s high-seismic environment, engineering is often required.

2. Decks and patio covers

Larger decks, elevated decks, heavy coverings, and unusual soil conditions typically exceed prescriptive design limits.

When that happens, you need structural engineering.

3. Removing or altering load-bearing walls

Any change to a structural wall triggers engineering to ensure:

• The home remains structurally sound
• Beams, posts, and supports are properly sized
• Loads transfer safely to the foundation

4. Additions, large remodels, or unusual geometry

Cathedral ceilings, large window openings, asymmetric rooflines, and open-concept layouts often require engineering.

5. Steep slopes, soft soils, and unusual site conditions

Geography can trigger engineering even if the structure itself is simple.