Eugene, OR Building Setbacks & Zoning: Structure Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- R-1 main building height
- 30 feet
- R-2 main building height
- 35 feet
- R-3 main building height
- 50 feet
- R-4 main building height
- 120 feet
- Steep-roof bonus
- +7 feet for 6:12 or steeper slope
- R-3/R-4 near R-1 boundary
- Capped at 30 feet within 50 feet
Summary
Eugene caps main building height at 30 feet in R-1, 35 feet in R-2, 50 feet in R-3 and 120 feet in R-4 under EC 9.2750. A 7-foot bonus applies for roof slopes of 6:12 or steeper, and R-3/R-4 buildings drop to 30 feet within 50 feet of an R-1 boundary.
Maximum Building Height (2), (3), (4), (5), (16), (17), (18) | Main Building. Does not include main building on Alley Access Lot in R-1 | 30 feet | 35 feet | 50 feet | 120 feet | | Accessory Building. | See (16) | 25 feet | 30 feet | 30 feet |
(3)(a) Except as provided in (b) and (c) below, in the R-3 and R-4 zone, the maximum building height shall be limited to 30 feet for that portion of the building located within 50 feet from the abutting boundary of, or directly across an alley from, land zoned R-1.
(d) An additional 7 feet of building height is allowed for roof slopes of 6:12 or steeper in the R-1, R-2, R-3 and R-4 zones, except that this additional building height allowance is not permitted in the R-1 zone for accessory dwellings, accessory buildings or development on alley access lots.
Full Breakdown
2750 of the Eugene Code sets maximum building height by residential zone: 30 feet for a main building in R-1, 35 feet in R-2, 50 feet in R-3, and 120 feet in R-4. Accessory buildings are capped lower: 25 feet in R-2 and 30 feet in R-3 and R-4. 2751(3)(a) adds a step-down rule: in the R-3 and R-4 zones, any portion of a building within 50 feet of an abutting R-1 boundary, or directly across an alley from R-1 land, is limited to 30 feet regardless of the zone's normal maximum.
2751(3)(b)-(c)). 2751(3)(d), though that bonus does not apply in R-1 to accessory dwellings, accessory buildings, or development on alley access lots. 5550(6)(a)3. 6720. The section is current through Ordinance No. 20716, effective January 2, 2025.
Violations & Fines
A building that exceeds its zone's height maximum is an unlawful structure and public nuisance under EC 9.0210, abatable under EC Chapter 6. The city manager may issue a stop work order under EC 9.0230 as soon as work is found to be out of compliance with Chapter 9, and continuing work after the order is independent grounds for additional penalties. EC 9.0270 authorizes an administrative civil penalty under EC Chapter 2, capped at $2,000 per day per EC 2.018(5), with at least five calendar days to correct the violation before a penalty issues unless it poses an immediate threat to health or safety. Penalty notices may be appealed to a hearings officer under EC 2.021, and an unpaid, final penalty becomes a lien against the property.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can a house be built in Eugene?
Can an R-3 or R-4 building near my R-1 house be built to the full zone height?
What is the height limit for accessory buildings in Eugene?
What happens if a structure is built taller than the code allows?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Eugene
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