Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup

Fence Regulations in Hillsboro, OR (2026)

4 verified fence regulations for Hillsboro, Oregon, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

Height Limits

Hillsboro caps residential fences and walls at 6 feet 2 inches, dropping to 4 feet 2 inches in front-yard setbacks, under Community Development Code § 12.50.250.D: with an 8-foot-2-inch allowance next to commercial or industrial zones.

Hillsboro Fence Height Limits

Some Restrictions

Hillsboro Community Development Code § 12.50.250.D

Fences and walls in residential zones are limited to 6 feet 2 inches in height except when: a. A residential zone abuts a Commercial, Mixed-Use, Urban Center, Institutional or Industrial zone, fences may be up to 8 feet 2 inches in height. b. On interior lots, fences and walls within a front yard setback shall not exceed 4 feet 2 inches. c. On corner lots, through lots and multiple frontage lot...

Fence Permit Requirements

Fence permits in Hillsboro go through the Type I review process: submit an application, fee, site plan, and a drawing of the fence's height and materials, then the city checks it against the fence and sight-distance standards.

Hillsboro Fence Permit Process Overview

Some Restrictions

Hillsboro Community Development Code § 12.80.060

A.Purpose. The purpose of a Fence Permit is to ensure that fences are installed in accordance with the requirements of this Code, thereby providing certainty to property owners prior to installation of the fence.B.Procedure. Fence applications are subject to the Type I procedure as described in Section 12.70.030.C.Submittal Requirements. Type I application submittal requirements are set forth i...

Retaining Walls

In Hillsboro's North Hillsboro Industrial Area Plan District, retaining walls over 30 inches must be fully screened from public rights-of-way or capped at 15 feet with base landscaping, per CDC § 12.66.250.D.4.

Hillsboro Industrial District Retaining Walls

Some Restrictions

Hillsboro Community Development Code § 12.66.250.D.4

4. Retaining Walls. Retaining walls over 30 inches in height shall either be: a. Fully screened so as to be not visible from public rights-of-way or residential zones; or b. A maximum height of 15 feet in height with landscaping at the base which screens and softens the appearance of the retaining wall.

Material Restrictions

Hillsboro bans barbed, razor or similar wire fencing and electric fences along any sidewalk or public way, though barbed wire is allowed atop a fence at least 6 feet high if set back 6 inches, and electric fencing may enclose livestock on private property.

Hillsboro Barbed and Electric Fence Rules

Significant Restrictions

Hillsboro Municipal Code § 6.16.040

A.Barbed, Razor or Similar Types of Wire Fences. No person may construct or maintain any barbed, razor or similar types of wire fence, in part or whole, along a sidewalk or public way, except barbed wire that is placed at least 6 inches above the top of a chain link, board or picket fence that is itself at least 6 feet high. Barbed, razor or similar types of wire may not project beyond the prop...

Looking for Washington County county-wide rules?

County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Hillsboro city rules.

Fence Regulations in Washington County