Fire Regulations in Tigard, OR: What Residents Actually Need to Know

If you live in Tigard or are thinking about moving there, fire regulations are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Tigard has 5 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of fire regulations, and some of them might surprise you.

Brush Clearance

TMC 6.01 requires owners to keep grass no higher than 10 inches and to abate noxious vegetation defined in TMC 6.01.020(M). Dry grass and weeds over 10 inches are cited as a fire hazard. Violations are Class 1 infractions under TMC 1.16, with abatement and lien remedies in TMC 6.02.

Key details: Grass Height Limit: 10 inches maximum. Citation: TMC 6.01.020(M) and TMC 6.02. Penalty Tier: Class 1 civil infraction. Owner Duty Includes: Abutting right-of-way. Wildfire Zone: Not state-mapped high hazard.

Code Compliance issues written notice and a compliance period. If the owner fails to act, the city may abate under TMC 6.02 and lien costs. Each day the violation continues is a separate Class 1 infraction.

Fireworks

TMC Chapter 7.84 prohibits the sale, possession, use, or explosion of fireworks in Tigard except as authorized by ORS 480.120-480.124. Legal fireworks are only allowed July 3, July 4, and the Friday-Saturday closest to July 4, from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Violations carry a $1,000 presumptive fine.

Key details: Local Citation: TMC Chapter 7.84. State Statute: ORS 480.120-480.124. Allowed Dates: July 3-4 plus closest Fri-Sat. Allowed Hours: 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.. Presumptive Fine: $1,000 per violation.

Use or sale outside the allowed window, or any illegal aerial device, is enforced by Tigard Police and TVF&R. The presumptive fine is $1,000 per offense. Owners may also be liable under ORS 480.165 for fires.

Compared to other cities, Tigard takes a harder line on fireworks. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Wildfire Zones

No Tigard property is currently designated as a high-hazard parcel inside the Wildland-Urban Interface on the Oregon Statewide Wildfire Hazard Map. The State Fire Marshal defensible-space code under OAR 837-046 and Oregon R327 hardened-construction rules therefore do not apply in Tigard, though SW Tigard hillsides have elevated local risk.

Key details: State Hazard Status: No high-hazard WUI parcels in Tigard. Defensible-Space Code: Not applicable. Building Code R327: Not triggered. Elevated Local Risk: SW Tigard hillsides per NHMP. Fire Authority: TVF&R.

Because no Tigard parcels are mapped high-hazard inside the WUI, no defensible-space citations issue under ORS 477 or OAR 837-046. Vegetation fire-hazard issues are enforced under TMC Title 6 as Class 1 infractions.

Tigard is more permissive than most cities when it comes to wildfire zones. That said, there are still limits.

Outdoor Burning

Outdoor burning of yard debris is prohibited year-round in Tigard. The city is inside Metro's Urban Growth Boundary, where Oregon DEQ and TVF&R both ban open burning. Only small recreational and cooking fires meeting TVF&R's 3-foot by 2-foot size limit are allowed. Enforcement runs through TMC Title 6 nuisance authority.

Key details: Yard Debris Burning: Prohibited year-round in Tigard. Authority: DEQ plus TVF&R plus TMC Title 6. Allowed Fires: Recreational only (3 ft x 2 ft). Report Illegal Burning: TVF&R (503) 629-0111. Enforcement Tier: Class 1 civil infraction.

TVF&R responds to illegal burns and orders extinguishment. Tigard Code Compliance processes the matter under TMC Title 6 as a Class 1 civil infraction (TMC 1.16). Penalties include fines, cost recovery for fire-department response, and damages if a fire spreads.

Compared to other cities, Tigard takes a harder line on outdoor burning. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Fire Pit Rules

Tigard has no stand-alone fire-pit chapter in the TMC. Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue (TVF&R), the fire authority of record, limits recreational fires to a fuel area no larger than three feet in diameter and two feet in height, sited safely away from combustibles, attended, and fully extinguished after use.

Key details: Fire Authority: Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue (TVF&R). Max Fuel Area: 3 ft diameter x 2 ft height. Allowed Fuels: Seasoned firewood, charcoal, manufactured logs. Prohibited: Yard debris, treated wood, garbage. Enforcement: TVF&R plus TMC Title 6 nuisance.

Illegal fires are handled by TVF&R fire-prevention officers and Tigard Code Compliance under TMC Title 6 as Class 1 civil infractions per TMC 1.16. Oversized fires or burn-ban violations are extinguished on the spot and may be fined.

The Bottom Line

Tigard is tougher than many cities when it comes to fire regulations. Out of the 5 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Tigard, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

These rules come from Tigard's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.