What Tualatin Regulates: A Complete Ordinance Overview

Tualatin, Oregon may not be the biggest city in the state, but it has its own set of local rules that residents need to follow. With 50 tracked ordinances across 13 categories, there is more here than you might expect.

Short-Term Rentals

Taxes & Fees: Short-term rentals inside Tualatin city limits are subject to a layered transient lodging tax stack. The City of Tualatin imposes a 2.5% Transient Lodging Tax under TMC Chapter 9-9, created by Ordinance 1408-18 and effective February 26, 2018.

Also covered: Occupancy Limits (permissive), Insurance Requirements (permissive), Noise Rules (moderate). See the full short-term rentals guide for Tualatin for details.

Accessory Structures

Carport Rules: Tualatin Development Code Chapter 40 (Low Density Residential RL Zone) governs carports and other accessory structures. Table 40-3 sets minimum setbacks of 15 feet front, 5 feet side, 15 feet rear, and 20 feet for a garage door, with a maximum structure height of 35 feet and a maximum lot coverage of 45 percent for single-family dwellings.

Also covered: Shed Rules (permissive), ADU Rules (moderate), Garage Conversions (moderate). See the full accessory structures guide for Tualatin for details.

Noise Ordinances

Amplified Music & Events: TMC 6-14-040 prohibits operating amplified sound equipment so that the sound is plainly audible within a noise-sensitive property or more than 150 feet away on public property. The standard is plain audibility, not a decibel reading, and applies at all hours..

Also covered: Leaf Blower Rules (permissive), Barking Dogs (moderate), Quiet Hours (moderate). See the full noise ordinances guide for Tualatin for details.

Curfew Laws

Juvenile Curfew: Under TMC 6-4-150, no minor may be in or upon any street, highway, park, alley, or other public place in Tualatin between 12:00 a.m. (midnight) and 4:00 a.m.

Also covered: Park Curfew (moderate). See the full curfew laws guide for Tualatin for details.

Fire Regulations

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..

Also covered: Brush Clearance (moderate), Fire Pit Rules (moderate), Outdoor Burning (moderate). See the full fire regulations guide for Tualatin for details.

Animal Ordinances

Exotic Pets: Oregon prohibits keeping exotic animals without a valid ODA permit issued before January 1, 2010, or as provided under ORS 609.351. Cities may enact additional bans.

Also covered: Chickens & Livestock (moderate), Dog Leash Laws (moderate), Beekeeping (permissive). See the full animal ordinances guide for Tualatin for details.

Parking Rules

Abandoned Vehicles: Tualatin treats a vehicle left on a public street more than 24 hours that appears disabled or abandoned as towable under ORS 819.100. TMC 6-13-040(13) bars vehicles in major disassembly or disrepair on residential rental property for more than 5 days unless stored inside a permitted structure..

Also covered: Commercial Vehicle Restrictions (moderate), Street Parking Limits (moderate), RV & Boat Parking (moderate). See the full parking rules guide for Tualatin for details.

Fence Regulations

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..

Also covered: Permit Requirements (permissive), Neighbor Fence Rules (permissive). See the full fence regulations guide for Tualatin for details.

Environmental Rules

Flood Zones: Portions of Tualatin sit in the Tualatin River 100-year floodplain. Development inside a mapped flood hazard area is regulated under Chapter 70 (Floodplain District, FP) of the Tualatin Development Code (TDC).

Also covered: Stormwater Management (moderate). See the full environmental rules guide for Tualatin for details.

Landscaping Rules

Weed Ordinances: TMC 6-4-090 prohibits noxious vegetation on any property between March 1 and October 31. Listed nuisance plants include uncontrolled blackberry, tansy ragwort, poison oak and ivy, and any weeds taller than 10 inches that harbor vermin, shed noxious pollen, or pose a fire hazard..

Also covered: Grass Height Limits (moderate), Tree Trimming (moderate), Water Restrictions (permissive). See the full landscaping rules guide for Tualatin for details.

Rental Property Rules

Rent Control: Tualatin has not adopted a city-level rent-control ordinance. Residential rents inside Tualatin city limits are subject to the statewide Oregon rent cap codified at ORS 90.323 (and ORS 90.600 for manufactured-home facilities), enacted by Senate Bill 608 in 2019.

Also covered: Just Cause Eviction (strict). See the full rental property rules guide for Tualatin for details.

Home Business

Zoning Restrictions: Home occupations in Tualatin are allowed in residential zones as a conditional accessory use of a dwelling under Tualatin Development Code (TDC) Chapter 34 (Special Regulations), with additional standards drawn from the city's published Home Occupation Standards. The operator must hold a current City of Tualatin Business License, must own or operate the home occupation as a resident at the site, may employ only one on-site non-resident employee (off-site employees are unlimited), must store all materials and equipment inside built structures on the premises, and may not generate noise, smoke, or odors exceeding normal residential use.

Also covered: Signage Rules (moderate), Customer Traffic Restrictions (moderate). See the full home business guide for Tualatin for details.

Swimming Pools & Spas

Safety Rules: Building permits and inspections are required for all pools and spas. Oregon Residential Specialty Code (OAR 918-480) governs construction standards.

Also covered: Above-Ground Pools (moderate), Fencing Requirements (strict). See the full swimming pools & spas guide for Tualatin for details.

What to Do With This Information

If you are moving to Tualatin, buying a home, or starting a project, use this as a starting point. Each category links to detailed pages with the full text, penalties, and FAQs. Verify anything time-sensitive with Tualatin's city hall or code enforcement office.