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Multnomah County, OR: Auto Repair on Residential Property (2026)

Heavy Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Rule
No motor vehicle repair or assembly at home
Applies to
Type A, B, and C home occupations
Scope
Unincorporated county only, not Portland
Covers
Autos, motorcycles, scooters, mowers, chainsaws

Summary

Unincorporated Multnomah County bars any repair or assembly of motor vehicles as a home occupation, no matter which home-occupation tier the business is registered or permitted under.

City-specific rules exist: Portland, and Gresham have their own auto repair on residential property rules that differ from Multnomah County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

No repair or assembly of any motor or motorized vehicles. A motorized vehicle includes any vehicle or equipment with an engine including automobiles, motorcycles, scooters, snowmobiles, outboard marine engines, lawn mowers, and chain saws.

View official code

Full Breakdown

If you run a business from a dwelling or accessory building in unincorporated Multnomah County, county code flatly prohibits repairing or assembling motor or motorized vehicles as part of that home occupation. The ban is written identically into the standards for all three home occupation tiers (Type A, Type B, and the conditional-use Type C), and it defines "motorized vehicle" broadly enough to reach a home mechanic's whole toolkit: automobiles, motorcycles, scooters, snowmobiles, outboard marine engines, lawn mowers, and chain saws. There is no permit path around it inside the home-occupation framework itself. This applies only outside the cities of Portland, Gresham, Troutdale, Fairview, and Wood Village, which enforce their own municipal codes.

Violations & Fines

Operating a home auto repair business violates the home occupation approval and can be enforced as a zoning code violation by Multnomah County Land Use Planning; a Type C permit found out of compliance can also be revoked.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a permit to fix cars from home in unincorporated Multnomah County?
No. County code bans repair or assembly of any motor or motorized vehicle as a home occupation outright, for every home occupation tier.
Does this rule apply inside Portland?
No. Portland has its own municipal code; this Multnomah County Code provision governs only the unincorporated county.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Multnomah County

Noise Ordinances: Construction HoursFew RestrictionsAdult EntertainmentSignificant RestrictionsSecondhand DealersSignificant RestrictionsTobacco Retail LicenseSignificant RestrictionsMassage EstablishmentsSome RestrictionsTowing CompaniesSignificant RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Mandatory Spay/NeuterSignificant RestrictionsFire Regulations: Outdoor BurningSome RestrictionsLandscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage TreesSome RestrictionsShort-Term Rentals: Primary-Residence-Only RuleSome RestrictionsWater Use Rules: Recycled Water RulesSome Restrictions

All Multnomah County rules

Compare Multnomah County to another location·View the Oregon business licensing & operations overview

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Auto Repair on Residential Property in Cities Across Multnomah County

Portland, ORGresham, OR