101 local rules on file · Pop. 31,350 · Washington County
Showing ordinances that apply to Bethany, OR
Bethany is an unincorporated community with a population of approximately 31,350 in Washington County, Oregon. Because Bethany is not an incorporated city, it does not have its own municipal government or city code. Instead, Washington County ordinances apply directly to residential and commercial properties here. The rules below are the county-level regulations that govern your area. Nearby incorporated cities in Washington County may have different rules.
Rainwater harvesting is permitted in Washington County for outdoor irrigation and non-potable use under Oregon Water Resources Department policy. Systems over certain thresholds require plumbing permits under OAR 918. Many Bethany and Hillsboro HOAs encourage rain barrels.
Washington County enforces weed abatement under ORS 105.550-105.570 and county nuisance provisions. Vacant lots in unincorporated Aloha, Metzger, Cedar Mill, and Bull Mountain receive targeted enforcement, especially during late-spring growth peaks.
These unincorporated areas are also governed by Washington County ordinances.
Washington County and Metro encourage native Willamette Valley plantings for stormwater and habitat. Tualatin SWCD offers the native plant sale. Clean Water Services requires native plantings in vegetated corridors along streams.
Washington County requires pool and spa barriers meeting Oregon Residential Specialty Code Appendix G / Chapter 42. Minimum 48-inch barrier with self-closing, self-latching gate. Inspected at building permit.
Washington County Community Development Code §411 permits standard residential fencing materials — cedar, vinyl, composite, wrought iron — and prohibits barbed wire and razor wire in residential zones. Cedar dominates due to the wet Willamette Valley climate; chain-link is allowed but discouraged in front yards.
Washington County requires a building permit for retaining walls over 4 feet tall measured from the bottom of foundation to top of wall (CDC 419-4). Walls supporting surcharge loads or taller than 4 feet require engineered plans stamped by a licensed Oregon PE.
Building permits are required for fences over 7 feet. Retaining walls over 4 feet require permits. Land development and construction without required permits is a violation of both the CDC and Building Code. The county enforces retroactive permitting.
Oregon does not have a shared fence cost statute. Each property owner is responsible for their own fence. Rural and agricultural properties may reference ORS 105.175–105.190 line fence statutes. Spite fences may be actionable as nuisance under common law.
Fence height in unincorporated Washington County is regulated by the Community Development Code. Fences over 7 feet require a building permit. Specific setback requirements vary by land use district and zone.
Building permits are required for swimming pools, spas, and permanent hot tubs in Washington County under the Oregon Residential Specialty Code and OAR 918-480. The county Building Services Division issues permits for unincorporated areas; cities handle their own jurisdictions.
Washington County requires electrical permits for hot tubs (240V circuit with GFCI). Structural permits may apply for raised installations. Hot tubs with ASTM F1346 safety covers are exempt from pool barrier rules.
Pool barriers are required countywide under Oregon Residential Specialty Code (ORSC Appendix G) and OAR 333-060-0105. Minimum 42-inch barriers with self-closing, self-latching gates are required. Washington County Building Codes Division enforces pool barrier standards.
Building permits and inspections are required for all pools and spas in Washington County. Oregon Residential Specialty Code (OAR 918-480) governs construction standards. Anti-entrapment drain covers required per federal VGB Act.
Above-ground pools are subject to the same barrier and permit requirements as in-ground pools under Oregon Residential Specialty Code. Washington County Building Codes Division processes permit applications for all pool types.
Washington County, OR follows SB 762 wildfire hazard mapping with defensible space obligations concentrated in wildland-urban interface (WUI) zones along the west county foothills near the Tillamook State Forest. Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue (TVF&R) is the primary fire agency and enforces Oregon Fire Code clearance rules.
Oregon Statewide Wildfire Hazard Map (SB 80, 2023) classifies Washington County parcels as low, moderate, or high hazard. Only high-hazard parcels in the Wildland-Urban Interface are subject to defensible space and fire hardening code. Coast Range foothills are most affected.
Oregon State Fire Marshal regulates fireworks under ORS 480.110–480.165. Consumer fireworks are limited to specific approved types statewide. Many cities within Washington County have enacted additional bans. Oregon Department of Forestry prohibits all fireworks during fire season.
Open burning is regulated by DEQ (OAR 340-264) and Oregon Department of Forestry throughout Washington County. Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue serves most of the county. Burn permits are required during allowed seasons. Year-round bans on yard debris burning apply in urban areas.
Recreational fires under Oregon Fire Code are allowed when no burn ban is active. Maximum fuel area is 3 feet diameter by 2 feet height. Standard setback is 25 feet from structures, or 15 feet in a non-combustible container. TVF&R requires bonfires to have permits and 50-foot setbacks.
Washington County has no countywide leaf blower ordinance; unincorporated area rules default to the general noise provisions of WCCO Chapter 8.20 and ORS 467, with hours mirroring construction windows. Cities inside the county (Beaverton, Hillsboro, Tigard, Tualatin) apply their own local restrictions, and OAR 340-035 DEQ standards set the outer ceiling.
Amplified sound in unincorporated Washington County is regulated under the county noise ordinance and ORS 467, with outdoor amplification at public venues and events requiring a special event or temporary use permit through Land Use & Transportation. Cities within the county (Beaverton, Hillsboro, Tualatin) layer their own amplification permit systems on top.
Under Washington County Animal Code 6.04.260(3), it is a Class C Civil Infraction for a dog to cause continuous annoyance for 5 or more minutes out of any 15-minute period. Washington County Animal Services enforces throughout unincorporated areas and contracting cities.
Washington County noise control is governed by Chapter 8.24 of the Code of Ordinances. Business noise violations are handled by the Solid Waste & Recycling Program; all other noise complaints go through the Sheriff's Department. Oregon DEQ standards apply countywide.
Construction noise in unincorporated Washington County is regulated under Chapter 8.24 and Oregon DEQ rules. Nighttime construction requires a Type 1 Noise Variance Permit from the county. Oregon DEQ standards exempt construction noise during reasonable daytime hours.
Washington County does not regulate short-term rental occupancy in unincorporated areas. The Board declined to adopt STR regulations in the 2023-25 Planning Work Program. STR operators must still comply with state transient lodging tax and fire/building codes.
Washington County does not require STR operators to carry commercial liability insurance. Standard homeowners policies often exclude commercial rental activity; operators should confirm coverage with their carrier or obtain an STR rider.
Unincorporated Washington County does not have a dedicated STR permit requirement. Short-term rentals must comply with applicable zoning under the Community Development Code. Oregon has no statewide STR permit; regulation is primarily local.
Oregon's statewide 1.5% Transient Lodging Tax applies to all short-term stays under 30 nights. Washington County may impose additional local TLT. Individual cities within the county (e.g., Tigard, Tualatin) impose their own 2.5% local TLT.
STR guests in unincorporated Washington County must comply with Chapter 8.24 noise control and general nuisance ordinances under Chapter 8.20. Oregon DEQ residential noise standards apply at all times.
Parking in unincorporated Washington County is regulated by county ordinances. Parking against traffic, over 18 inches from curb, storing vehicles on streets, and blocking cluster mailboxes can result in parking tickets from the Sheriff's Office.
Urban unincorporated Washington County allows backyard chickens in R-5/R-6/R-9 zones with hen-only rules; roosters prohibited outside EFU/AF zones. Larger livestock restricted to AF-5, AF-10, AF-20, and EFU lands protected under Oregon Right to Farm (ORS 30.930).
Oregon ORS 496.731 authorizes ODFW officers to order removal of wildlife attractants for bear, cougar, coyote, and wolf. Washington County has no standalone wildlife feeding ordinance, but feeding creating a nuisance is enforceable under Chapter 8.20.
Washington County does not enforce breed-specific legislation. Oregon state law (ORS 609.095) uses behavior-based criteria for potentially dangerous dogs. The county focuses on individual dog behavior rather than breed identification.
Oregon prohibits keeping exotic animals without a valid ODA permit issued before January 1, 2010, or as provided under ORS 609.351. Washington County Health and Human Services handles exotic animal issues. Counties may enact additional restrictions.
Washington County requires all dogs to be on a physical leash of 7 feet or shorter when off the owner's property, controlled by someone capable of handling them. All dogs must be licensed with the county at 6 months of age. Unleashed dogs may be impounded.
Beekeeping is regulated at the state level by the Oregon Department of Agriculture under ORS Chapter 596. Washington County does not impose additional restrictions on beekeeping in unincorporated areas. Roosters and male peacocks are not regulated in urban unincorporated Washington County.
Washington County requires electrical permits for Level 2 EV chargers under OAR 918-311-0065. HOAs cannot prohibit EV charger installation on owner property under ORS 94.798. County Building Services issues EVSE permits via ePermitting.
Washington County Chapter 8.16 limits use of a vehicle or RV for overnight lodging on the public right-of-way to 48 hours maximum at any location (or within a 2-mile radius). Recent rules further restrict RV street parking.
Washington County Sheriff's Office tags and tows abandoned vehicles on public rights-of-way under ORS 819.110 and county Chapter 8.16. A vehicle on public street for 24+ hours meeting abandonment criteria can be tagged; 24 more hours before tow. On private property, ORS 98.830 applies.
Commercial vehicle storage on residential property is regulated through the Community Development Code. Home businesses in unincorporated areas must comply with home occupation standards including vehicle storage limits. Vehicle storage is a common code compliance issue.
Driveway access in unincorporated Washington County is regulated by the Community Development Code and county road standards. Blocking driveways on county roads is prohibited. Road access permits may be required for new or modified driveways.
RV and vehicle storage in unincorporated Washington County is regulated through the Community Development Code zoning requirements. Recreational vehicle storage is listed as a regulated use in residential zones. Specific standards vary by land use district.
Washington County Sheriff enforces parking regulations in unincorporated areas. Parking against traffic, storing vehicles on streets, parking over 18 inches from curb, and blocking cluster mailboxes are all ticketable offenses.
Oregon ORS 329A.440 (HB 3109) requires that family child care homes be treated as residential use. Registered Family (up to 10) and Certified Family (up to 16) homes are licensed by ODELC. Washington County cannot require conditional use permits.
Oregon Domestic Kitchen law (ORS 616.706) allows limited direct sale of low-risk, shelf-stable homemade foods. Registration with ODA is not required under $50,000 annual gross sales. Washington County follows the state law with no additional local layer.
Home occupations in unincorporated Washington County must not create nuisance impacts on neighboring properties. The Community Development Code limits customer traffic, employees, and deliveries. Code compliance prioritizes violations based on community impact.
Home businesses in unincorporated Washington County are regulated through the Community Development Code. The county regulates home occupations as a permitted use subject to standards in residential zones. Vehicle storage and exterior impacts are common enforcement areas.
Home business signage in unincorporated Washington County is regulated by the Community Development Code. Typical standards limit exterior signage for home occupations. Oregon's cottage food law (ORS 616.706) allows limited food sales from home kitchens statewide.
Washington County allows foundation-built tiny homes as dwellings or ADUs under CDC 430-89 (ADU) and ORS 197.312(5). Tiny homes on wheels are regulated as RVs or park model homes and cannot be occupied as permanent dwellings on residential lots.
Washington County requires a building permit for carports. Carports must meet CDC 418 setbacks and CDC 413 parking/driveway rules. Detached accessory structures under 200 sq ft and 15 ft tall are exempt from building permits but not from zoning.
Accessory structures in unincorporated Washington County must meet setback requirements from property lines. Setback waivers are not permitted. Each land use district has unique setback requirements under CDC 418. Sheds under 200 sq ft are typically exempt from building permits under Oregon code.
ADUs are allowed in unincorporated Washington County per Oregon state law (ORS 197.312(5)). Cities must allow ADUs on single-family lots. Oregon HB 2001 (2019) requires larger cities to allow middle housing. Parking minimums for ADUs are eliminated near transit under state law.
Garage conversions to ADUs are permitted under Oregon state law requiring ADUs on residential lots. Building permits are required for all conversions. Construction must comply with Oregon Residential Specialty Code including fire separation requirements.
Washington County and its cities require adjacent property owners to clear snow and ice from sidewalks typically within 24 hours after snowfall. Beaverton BC 9.05.040 and Hillsboro HMC 11.08.050 specify clearing obligations; liability attaches for slip-and-fall injuries.
Washington County property maintenance codes and city nuisance rules require garage sale items to be stored out of sight overnight and fully removed within 24 hours of sale end. Left-at-curb items trigger blight citations from code enforcement.
Washington County enforces vegetation and debris standards on vacant lots under Chapter 8.20 and CDC 430. Grass and weeds over 10 inches, accumulated trash, and fire fuel loads are subject to abatement. Fire season adds additional rules.
Washington County requires mandatory garbage collection service under Chapter 8.04 through franchised haulers. Bins must be out of public view between collection days. Metro regional rules govern solid waste disposal.
Washington County Chapter 8.20 (Nuisances) and Chapter 8.44 (Chronic Nuisance Property) authorize code enforcement against blighted properties. Abatement and liens available. Chronic nuisance designation triggers escalating penalties.
Washington County cities including Beaverton, Forest Grove, and Hillsboro designate heritage or landmark trees. Oregon Heritage Tree program through the State Historic Preservation Office recognizes culturally and historically significant specimens countywide.
Washington County regulates significant tree removal through CDC §407 and sensitive areas under CWS rules. Cities like Beaverton (BC 9.04), Hillsboro (HMC 12.32), and Tigard (Urban Forestry Manual) have robust tree codes. Street trees cannot be removed without permit.
Tree replacement requirements apply when permitted removals occur in Washington County cities. Beaverton, Tigard, and Hillsboro require 1:1 to 3:1 replacement planting with minimum 1.5-2 inch caliper native/adapted species, with fee-in-lieu options for the municipal tree fund.
Commercial drone operators in Washington County must hold an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. Hillsboro Airport Class D airspace requires LAANC authorization. Oregon requires additional registration for government operations under ORS 837.360.
Recreational drone use in Washington County follows FAA rules (49 USC §44809, Part 44809) and ORS 837.300. Restricted airspace around Hillsboro Airport (HIO) and Portland-Hillsboro's Class D boundary constrains much of the east/central county.
No-soliciting signs carry legal weight in most Washington County cities. Beaverton and Hillsboro operate no-knock registries; ignoring a posted sign or registered address is a civil violation. Political and religious canvassing remain exempt.
Washington County does not issue countywide solicitor permits; cities regulate independently. Beaverton (BC 7.04), Hillsboro (HMC 5.08), Tigard (TMC 5.04), and Tualatin all require permits with background checks for door-to-door commercial solicitation.
Washington County CDC caps residential heights at 35 ft in most R zones, 45 ft in R-24/R-25+, and 50-75 ft in commercial/industrial zones near MAX corridors. Rural AF-zones allow 35 ft. Hillsboro Airport AGL limits apply on approach paths.
Washington County CDC sets maximum lot coverage from 40-60% depending on zone. R-5 and R-9 cap at 50%; higher-density R-24 zones allow up to 70%. Clean Water Services post-construction stormwater standards trigger above 1,000 sq ft new impervious.
Washington County Community Development Code sets setbacks by zone: R-5 requires 20 ft front, 5 ft side, 15 ft rear; R-9 requires 15/5/10; AF-5 and rural require 30 ft front, 10 ft side, 30 ft rear. Cities within the county apply their own zoning.
Washington County requires grading permits for earthwork over 50 cubic yards or on slopes over 15%. Drainage cannot be diverted onto adjacent properties. Clean Water Services rules and Oregon Plumbing Specialty Code (OAR 918-750) apply to drainage systems.
Washington County stormwater is managed by Clean Water Services (CWS) under the county's Phase I MS4 permit. CWS Design & Construction Standards trigger on-site detention for projects creating 1,000 sq ft of new impervious. Post-construction facilities are owner-maintained.
Washington County is entirely inland in the Portland metropolitan area. Oregon Coastal Zone Management Act and LCDC Goals 17/18 do not apply. The nearest coastline is ~60 miles west at Cannon Beach and Tillamook County. No coastal development rules apply within the county.
Erosion control in Washington County follows Clean Water Services' Erosion Prevention and Sediment Control Manual and DEQ's 1200-C permit. Ground disturbance of 1+ acre triggers state NPDES permit; smaller projects use CWS BMPs including silt fencing and construction entrances.
Washington County participates in the FEMA National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA flood maps were last updated countywide in 2016. The Tualatin River, Fanno Creek, and numerous tributaries create significant floodplain areas. The county processes CLOMRs for projects changing flood areas.
Washington County solid waste service is franchised by the county Department of Health & Human Services Solid Waste & Recycling program, with weekly garbage and every-other-week recycling. Haulers include Republic Services, Pride Disposal, Waste Management, and Hillsboro Garbage Disposal, by service territory.
Bulk items in Washington County are handled through franchise hauler on-call pickup or direct drop-off at Metro transfer stations — Metro South (Oregon City) and Metro Central (NW Portland) — plus the Hillsboro Landfill. Refrigerants, electronics, and HHW have separate rules.
Residential recycling follows Metro's regional list: paper, cardboard, metal cans, and plastic bottles/jars/jugs in the mixed recycling cart; glass in a separate bin. Contamination (plastic bags, film, clamshells, Styrofoam, food waste) results in skipped pickups.
Washington County franchise rules require carts placed at the curb by 6 AM with wheels to the house and a 3-foot clearance. Carts must return out of public view within 24 hours of pickup, per hauler and city codes.
Washington County applies Oregon state juvenile curfew under ORS 419C.680 in unincorporated areas; cities layer local ordinances. Beaverton, Hillsboro, and Tigard each enforce 10 PM-6 AM on school nights for minors under 18, with 12 AM-6 AM weekend hours.
Washington County Parks and THPRD (Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District) parks close from dusk to dawn or 10 PM depending on the site. Violations constitute trespass under ORS 164.245. Metro-managed regional parks (Cooper Mountain, Tualatin River NWR) have posted hours.
Washington County does not require garage sale permits for unincorporated areas. Most cities within the county (Beaverton, Hillsboro, Tigard, Tualatin) also allow garage sales without permits, relying on frequency and signage limits instead.
Garage sales in Washington County cities typically run 8 AM to 6 PM or dusk. Most cities prohibit sales before 8 AM or after sunset/10 PM. Items and signs must be cleaned up each evening with final removal within 24 hours of sale end.
Cities in Washington County typically limit households to 2-4 garage sales per year, each 2-3 days long. Exceeding limits triggers classification as an ongoing retail use requiring home occupation review and business licensing.
Oregon Measure 91 allows adults 21+ to grow up to 4 cannabis plants per household in Washington County. Plants must be out of public view. Unincorporated county and most cities (Beaverton, Hillsboro, Tigard) permit home grows consistent with state law.
Washington County and most cities allow OLCC-licensed cannabis retailers in commercial zones with state-mandated 1,000-ft school buffers. Hillsboro, Beaverton, Tigard, and Tualatin host dispensaries; Sherwood and Forest Grove have historically restricted. CDC §430 applies to unincorporated lands.
Mobile food units in Washington County require a Washington County Public Health food service license under OAR 333-150 and OAR 333-157, plus a business license from each city of operation. Commissary kitchens and annual inspections are mandatory.
Food truck vending zones vary by city in Washington County. Beaverton, Hillsboro, and Tigard each regulate mobile vending locations through zoning and right-of-way permits, with popular cart pods concentrated along Canyon Rd, Cornell Rd, and downtown districts.
Washington County regulates outdoor lighting through CDC §414 requiring shielded fixtures and no light trespass onto neighboring properties. Cities including Beaverton, Hillsboro, and Tigard enforce dark-sky-inspired standards in commercial and industrial zones near residential edges.
Washington County Community Development Code Section 415 regulates outdoor lighting on development sites. Light sources must be shielded so direct light does not trespass on adjacent residential property. Code enforcement handles complaints in unincorporated areas.
Washington County prohibits garage sale signs in the public right-of-way along county roads. Temporary signs on private property are allowed under CDC 414. Signs must be removed immediately after the sale.
Washington County allows political signs on private property under CDC 414. Signs in public right-of-way are prohibited and may be removed without notice under ORS 368.942 and R&O 98-197. Content-neutral time/place/manner rules apply per Reed v. Gilbert.
Washington County allows holiday displays on residential property without permits. Displays must not obstruct sight lines, create fire hazards, or violate noise rules. HOA rules in subdivisions may impose additional limits.
Oregon ORS 94.762 prohibits HOAs from banning or unreasonably restricting solar panel installations. HOAs may impose reasonable aesthetic guidelines but cannot effectively prevent solar. Washington County CDC 427 protects solar access for lots.
Washington County requires permits for residential solar installations under the Oregon Solar Installation Specialty Code. Most systems qualify for prescriptive (expedited) solar permits via the county's Building Services division and ePermitting.
Oregon SB 608 requires landlord just cause to terminate a tenancy after the first 12 months. No-cause terminations are only allowed in the first year. Washington County enforces the statewide standard; Board Ordinance 888 extends 90-day no-cause notice countywide.
Washington County has no general rental registration or landlord licensing program. Rentals are governed by Oregon Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (ORS 90) and state habitability standards. Portland operates a registry, but the county does not.
Oregon SB 608 (2019) and SB 611 (2023) set a statewide rent cap. For 2026, maximum rent increases are 9.5% (or 6% for mobile home parks with 30+ spaces). Washington County has no additional local rent control.