Deschutes County has appointed Krista Appleby as its new Building Official, strengthening leadership in construction oversight and public safety. Appleby officially stepped into the role on March 10.
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As Building Official, Appleby will play a key role in ensuring that construction projects across the county — including in the cities of La Pine and Sisters — comply with Oregon’s statewide building codes. Her responsibilities will include managing plan reviews, overseeing permitting processes and conducting inspections for projects ranging from residential remodels to large-scale commercial developments.
County officials highlighted Appleby’s experience and industry connections as major factors in her selection.
“Krista was selected from a highly competitive field of candidates. She has strong relationships with building officials in the region, Central Oregon Builders Association, and the State’s Building Codes Division, among others,” said Community Development Director Peter Gutowsky.
Appleby brings nearly a decade of experience within the county’s Community Development Department. Since joining in 2017, she has held several roles in the Building Safety Division, including fire and life safety commercial plans examiner, lead plans examiner and Assistant Building Official.
Before joining the county, Appleby worked on a variety of architectural projects across Montana, Oregon and Washington, building a strong foundation in design and construction practices.
She is a licensed architect in both Oregon and Washington and holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Montana State University. In addition to her professional responsibilities, she currently serves as Board President of the Oregon Building Officials Association, further underscoring her leadership within the industry.
Appleby’s appointment comes at a time when many local governments are placing increased emphasis on efficient permitting and stricter code compliance to keep pace with construction demand and population growth.
Building officials play a critical role in balancing development with safety, ensuring that new and existing structures meet evolving standards related to fire protection, structural integrity and sustainability.
Her leadership is also expected to support ongoing efforts to streamline permitting timelines while maintaining rigorous safety standards — a key priority for communities experiencing steady residential and commercial development.
With her combination of technical expertise, regulatory knowledge and regional relationships, Appleby is positioned to help Deschutes County navigate the growing complexity of modern construction and development.
Originally reported by My Central Oregon.
