How Beaverton Handles Fence Regulations: A Practical Guide
Beaverton maintains 115 local ordinances across all categories, and 4 of those deal specifically with fence regulations. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Beaverton falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.
Fence Permit Requirements
A new or modified fence at a Beaverton commercial, industrial, or multi-family property needs a Design Review Compliance Letter; single-detached homes are exempt and only need to meet the fence height standards.
Key details: Commercial/multi-family: Design Review Compliance Letter required. Single-detached homes: Exempt from Design Review. Homeowner fences: Must meet § 60.50.20 height rules only. Governing section: Dev. Code § 40.20.15.1.A.1.g.
A qualifying commercial or multi-family fence installed without the required Design Review Compliance Letter can be ordered brought into compliance or removed through code enforcement.
Material Restrictions
Beaverton's Development Code requires fences and walls to be built of durable materials such as wood, stone, rock or brick, and mandates coated slats on any chain-link fence used for screening.
Key details: Governing section: Development Code § 60.05.25.9. Allowed materials: Wood, stone, rock, brick, other durable. Chain-link rule: Must be coated with durable slats. Height limit: Set separately at § 60.50.20.
Violates the standard if a fence is chain-link without coating and slats, or built of materials other than wood, stone, rock, brick, or comparable durable material, for development subject to design review.
Retaining Walls
In Beaverton, retaining walls that safeguard building users, support a regulated building, or are taller than 4 feet require a building permit under the city's adopted residential building code.
Key details: Governing section: BC 8.02.160. Permit trigger: Wall over 4 feet tall. Always needs permit: Walls supporting a building. Base standard: State residential code, city-adopted.
Building without a required permit is enforced as a building code violation under BC 8.02.120: a civil penalty up to $250, with each day of noncompliance a separate violation, and the building official may stop work.
Height Limits
Beaverton fences may sit right on the lot line but are capped at 3 feet in most front yards, 6 feet along Collector or Arterial streets, and 8 feet in all other yards, per Development Code 60.50.20.
Key details: Front yard, most streets: 3 ft max. Front yard, Collector/Arterial: 6 ft max. Side/rear yards: 8 ft max. At the lot line: Allowed if height limit is met.
A fence built taller than the applicable limit, or that blocks required sight clearance, can be ordered altered or removed through code enforcement.
The Bottom Line
Beaverton's fence regulations rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Beaverton is broadly strict or permissive.
This guide is based on Beaverton's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.