Landscaping Rules in Beaverton, OR

Every city handles landscaping rules a little differently. In Beaverton, 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.

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

Removing trees from a Beaverton Significant Grove or Natural Resource Area triggers mitigation planting under Development Code § 60.60.25: up to a 2:1 on-site ratio once removal exceeds 50% of surveyed tree diameter.

Key details: Mitigation trigger: Removal over 50% of surveyed DBH. On-site ratio: 2:1 planting up to 75-85% removed. Off-site ratio: 1:1 planting ratio. Backstop: In-lieu fee to Tree Mitigation Fund.

Unmitigated Protected Tree removal is enforced under § 60.60.07's monetary penalties, and any shortfall in required replanting converts to an in-lieu fee deposited in the city's Tree Mitigation Fund (§ 60.60.25.7).

Weed Ordinances

Beaverton caps weeds and grass on property at 12 inches; anything taller is declared 'noxious vegetation,' a public nuisance under BC 5.05.090, enforceable citywide.

Key details: Height limit: 12 inches for weeds and grass. Also banned: Poison oak, poison ivy. Crop exception: Agricultural crops exempt. Enforcement: Nuisance abatement + civil infraction.

Declared a public nuisance under BC 5.05.140; subject to abatement under BC 5.05.200 et seq. and a Class 1 Civil Infraction under BC 5.05.255, with each day a separate violation.

Tree Trimming

Beaverton requires property owners to prune trees and bushes to at least ten feet above roadways and eight feet above sidewalks or bike paths, under BC 5.05.098, part of the city's nuisance code.

Key details: Roadway clearance: 10 feet minimum above roadway. Sidewalk clearance: 8 feet minimum above sidewalk or bike path. Governing chapter: BC 5.05, Nuisances. Default penalty: Class 2 Civil Infraction (BC 1.03.010).

Failing to maintain required clearance is a code violation; Beaverton Code Title 1 sets a default Class 2 Civil Infraction for violations without a specified penalty (BC 1.03.010).

Native Plants

Beaverton's Development Code requires new site landscaping to draw from approved plant lists, including Metro's Native Plants Booklet, and mandates that at least half of all trees and shrubs planted be native species.

Key details: Governing section: Development Code § 60.05.25.4. Native minimum: 50% of trees and shrubs. Approved lists: Includes Metro Native Plants Booklet. Applies to: New site landscaping, design review.

Violates the standard if new required landscaping uses non-approved plant species or fails to meet the 50 percent native-species minimum for trees and shrubs on a site subject to design review.

Water Restrictions

Beaverton has no standing lawn-watering schedule; instead the city council can prohibit or restrict water use by resolution during a shortage or emergency, enforced as a civil infraction.

Key details: Governing section: BC 4.02.180. Trigger: Council resolution during shortage/emergency. Grace period: 48 hours after notice. Penalty: Class 1 civil infraction. Standing schedule: None: restrictions are ad hoc.

Using water in violation of a council water-restriction resolution is a class 1 civil infraction once 48 hours have passed since notice, continuing until the council rescinds the resolution.

Beaverton is more permissive than most cities when it comes to water restrictions. That said, there are still limits.

The Bottom Line

Beaverton's landscaping rules 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.

Keep in mind that Beaverton 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.