Multnomah County, OR Building Setbacks & Zoning: Setback Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Front yard, LR-5
- 20 feet minimum
- Side yard, LR-5
- 5 feet minimum
- Street side yard, LR-5
- 10 feet minimum
- Rear yard, LR-5
- 15 feet minimum
- Corner lot rear-yard reduction
- To 5 ft if other yards met
Summary
In the county's LR-5 low-density residential zone, homes need a 20-foot front yard, 5-foot side yard, 10-foot street-side yard and 15-foot rear yard, with a limited corner-lot reduction.
(H) Minimum Yard Dimensions – Feet ... Maximum Structure Height 35 feet. ... (3) The rear yard of a corner lot may be reduced to five feet, provided that the front yard is not less than 20 feet, the street side yard is not less than 10 feet, and the interior side yard is not less than 15 feet.
Full Breakdown
Multnomah County Code § 39.4830 sets minimum yards for single-family, two-unit and multiplex lots in the LR-5 base zone at 20 feet front, 5 feet side, 10 feet street side and 15 feet rear, with a 35-foot height cap. Corner lots can shrink the rear yard to 5 feet only if the front stays at least 20 feet, the street side at least 10 feet and the interior side at least 15 feet. Other urban residential zones (LR-7, LR-10, MR-4) carry their own dimensional tables under separate sections of the same Part 4.D. This applies only in unincorporated county land. Portland, Gresham, Troutdale, Fairview and Wood Village each enforce their own zoning code, not this one.
Violations & Fines
Building within the required yard without an approved variance or the fence/accessory-structure exceptions in MCC 39.4245 triggers a code enforcement case through Multnomah County Land Use Planning; the county can require removal or relocation of the encroaching structure and deny occupancy approval until it is brought into compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this apply to my house in Portland?
Can I reduce my rear yard on a corner lot?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Multnomah County
Compare Multnomah County to another location·View the Oregon building setbacks & zoning overview
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