Have you ever tried to actually get a building permit?  Or have you ever owned a home in Oregon?  This editorial seems out of touch with the reality of the modern building department.  Lane county, Oregon requires a permit to replace a failed water heater with an identical model, or fix a leaking pipe if more than 5 feet of pipe need replacing.  

Permits have little to do with safety and everything with skimming profits from the building industry and monitoring homeowners for taxable improvements.  I'm not suggesting that shoddy unsafe work doesn't get done in Oregon.  Lots of it occurs!  But it already occurs outside the permitting process and this measure won't change that.

What this measure does offer is simplicity and sanity for those of us who have no interesting in making our homes a firetrap in the first place.  This measure also does not exempt homeowners from following the state building code.  If new home buyers are worried about improvements, they can pay for inspections at the time of purchase.

I say vote YES for 63!  Stop letting the government and large contractors regulate the improvements you make to your home.