Tualatin's Fire Regulations: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles fire regulations a little differently. In Tualatin, Oregon, there are 5 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Wildfire Zones

Tualatin is an urbanized Willamette Valley city in Washington and Clackamas Counties; the Oregon Statewide Wildfire Hazard Map (finalized by the Oregon Department of Forestry and Oregon State University in 2024 under SB 762) classifies most developed Tualatin parcels in the low to moderate hazard range. Tualatin is not on the Oregon Department of Forestry's list of high-hazard wildland-urban interface communities, and there is no Tualatin Municipal Code chapter establishing locally adopted defensible-space zones beyond the noxious vegetation duties in TMC Chapter 6-04.

Key details: State Framework: Oregon SB 762 (2021) / Wildfire Hazard Map. Hazard Classes: Low, Moderate, High. WUI Trigger: High hazard + inside WUI = state defensible-space code. Local Wildfire Code: None - no Tualatin-specific overlay. Lookup Tool: hazardmap.forestry.oregonstate.edu.

Because Tualatin has no locally adopted wildfire-zone ordinance, there is no city-specific defensible-space violation. Instead, owners can be cited under TMC Chapter 6-04 for failing to abate noxious vegetation that creates a fire hazard, and under TVF&R rules (Oregon Fire Code) for unsafe outdoor fires or burn-ban violations. Statewide defensible-space requirements under SB 762 apply only if a parcel is classified as high-hazard within the mapped WUI.

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

Brush Clearance

Tualatin Municipal Code Chapter 6-04 (Noxious Vegetation) requires every owner or person in charge of property to cut down weeds, grass, brush, and other noxious vegetation as often as needed to prevent it from becoming a fire hazard, going to seed, or unreasonably interfering with neighboring property. Lawns must be kept at no more than 10 inches in height, and the maintenance duty runs March 1 through October 31 each year.

Key details: Primary Code: TMC Chapter 6-04 (Noxious Vegetation). Owner Duty: TMC 6-4-090 - cut down vegetation as needed. Maintenance Season: March 1 through October 31. Lawn Height Limit: Not more than 10 inches. Enforcement: Tualatin Police Code Enforcement (503-629-0111).

Violation of TMC 6-04 is a civil infraction processed under Title 7 of the Tualatin Municipal Code (Uniform Civil Infraction Procedure). Property owners are typically notified by Code Enforcement and given a deadline to abate. If abatement is not completed, the City may contract the work and bill the owner, with unpaid charges potentially recorded as a lien against the property. Repeat or willful violations can result in escalating fines under the City's civil penalty schedule.

Fire Pit Rules

Tualatin sits inside Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue's (TVF&R) jurisdiction, and TVF&R - operating under the Oregon Fire Code (adopted statewide) - sets the operative rules for backyard fire pits, fire tables, and campfires in the city. Recreational fires are allowed if the fuel/burn area stays at three feet in diameter and two feet in height, in a safe location away from combustibles and vegetation, and are fully extinguished after use.

Key details: Fire Authority: Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue (TVF&R). Governing Code: Oregon Fire Code (statewide adoption). Max Recreational Fire: 3 ft diameter x 2 ft height. Bonfire Setback: 50 ft from structures/combustibles. Daily Burn Line: TVF&R 503-259-1789.

A recreational fire that exceeds size limits, is left unattended, is conducted during a TVF&R burn ban beyond the allowed exceptions, or threatens neighboring property may be ordered extinguished by TVF&R or Tualatin Police. Persons responsible for fires set in willful violation may be liable for all costs incurred, plus legal fees, under Oregon Revised Statute 478.965.

Outdoor Burning

Outdoor burning in Tualatin is governed by Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue (TVF&R) under the Oregon Fire Code. TVF&R recognizes two backyard burn seasons - Spring (March 1-June 15) and Fall (October 1-December 15) - but burn rules change daily with weather and air quality, and TVF&R routinely enacts High-Fire Danger Burn Bans that suspend all open burning of yard debris, agricultural waste, and land-clearing material.

Key details: Fire Authority: Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue (TVF&R). Spring Burn Season: March 1 - June 15. Fall Burn Season: October 1 - December 15. Daily Burn Line: 503-259-1789. Penalty Authority: ORS 478.965 - cost recovery & legal fees.

Illegal outdoor burning may be reported to the TVF&R non-emergency line at 503-629-0111 (or 911 for emergencies). Persons responsible for fires set in willful violation of TVF&R rules may be liable for all costs incurred and legal fees per Oregon Revised Statute 478.965. Fire personnel may order immediate extinguishment, issue citations, and refer the matter to the Tualatin Municipal Court or Washington County Circuit Court depending on severity.

Fireworks

Oregon-legal consumer fireworks may be sold and used in Tualatin only during the state-approved window of June 23 through July 6. Consumer fireworks are prohibited entirely in Tualatin City Parks and State Parks. Illegal fireworks - those that fly, explode, or travel more than a few feet - remain banned year-round under Oregon law, and Tualatin Police warn that civil fines can exceed $500 and criminal charges may be filed.

Key details: Legal Sale Window: June 23 through July 6 (state law). Parks: Consumer fireworks prohibited in City & State Parks. Civil Fines: Can exceed $500. Criminal Charges: May be filed for violations. Enforcement: Tualatin Police 503-691-4800; TVF&R 503-649-8577.

Possessing or using illegal fireworks, discharging fireworks in City or State Parks, or using consumer fireworks outside the June 23-July 6 state window in Tualatin can result in civil fines exceeding $500 and possible criminal charges, per the Tualatin Police Department. Anyone responsible for a fire ignited by fireworks may also be billed for fire-suppression costs under Oregon Revised Statute 478.965. Tualatin Police (503-691-4800) and TVF&R (503-649-8577) both have enforcement authority.

The Bottom Line

Tualatin's fire 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 Tualatin is broadly strict or permissive.

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.