Tualatin's Fence Regulations: The Rules That Matter

If you live in Tualatin or are thinking about moving there, fence regulations are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Tualatin has 3 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of fence regulations, and some of them might surprise you.

Height Limits

Construction and placement of private residential fences are generally not regulated by the Tualatin Development Code, but fences over 6 feet tall need a building permit per the city's Fences handout, and TDC 73.400(16) bars any fence 30 inches to 8 feet above curb height inside a vision clearance triangle.

Key details: Permit Trigger: >6 ft fence height. Vision Triangle: 30 in to 8 ft barred (TDC 73.400(16)). Barbed Wire: Only above 6 ft 6 in. Electric Fence: Barred near sidewalks/public ways. RL/RML Special: TDC 34.330, 34.340.

Fences exceeding 6 feet without a building permit, or sitting inside a vision clearance triangle, violate the Fences handout standards and TDC 73.400(16). Code Compliance complaints (non-anonymous) can trigger correction orders, including reducing height, relocating, or removing the fence.

Tualatin is more permissive than most cities when it comes to height limits. That said, there are still limits.

Permit Requirements

Tualatin does not require a permit for most residential fences, but the city's Fences handout requires a building permit for fences over 6 feet tall, fences around any pool, pond, or hot tub deeper than 24 inches, and retaining walls over 4 feet or supporting a fence or surcharge.

Key details: Standard Fence: No permit for residential under 6 ft. Pool/Pond Fence: Permit if water >24 in. Tall Fence: Permit if >6 ft height. Retaining Wall: Permit if >4 ft or fence on top. Commercial/Multifamily: Architectural Review required.

Building a permit-required fence (pool, >6 ft, retaining wall >4 ft, or non-single-family lot) without the permit or Architectural Review violates the Building Code and TDC. Engineering & Building can issue stop-work orders and pursue civil penalties.

Tualatin is more permissive than most cities when it comes to permit requirements. That said, there are still limits.

Neighbor Fence Rules

Oregon does not have a shared fence cost statute. Each property owner is responsible for their own fence. Fences on property lines are not specifically regulated beyond height and material standards. Spite fences may be actionable as a nuisance under common law.

Key details: Shared Cost: No state requirement. Rural Fences: ORS 105.175–105.190. Spite Fences: Nuisance under common law. Disputes: Mediation available.

Civil remedy for property line disputes. Small claims court for disputes under $10,000. Nuisance action for spite fences.

The rules around neighbor fence rules in Tualatin lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Tualatin gives residents more room on fence regulations. 3 of the 3 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

Keep in mind that Tualatin can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.