Landscaping Rules in Portland, OR (2026)
8 verified landscaping rules for Portland, Oregon, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Grass Height Limits
Portland regulates overgrown grass and weeds under PCC 29.20.040 ('Nuisances Affecting the Public Health') and PCC 29.30 (Tall Grass and Weed Abatement Program). Vegetation over 10 inches in height, or that creates a fire or pedestrian-visibility hazard, can be declared a nuisance by Portland Bureau of Development Services (BDS). Owners receive a notice to abate within a set period or BDS will hire a contractor to cut and bill the cost to the property as a tax lien.
Portland Tall Grass & Weed Rules
Some RestrictionsTree Trimming
Portland regulates pruning under the same Tree Code (PCC Title 11) that governs removals. Pruning any street tree requires a free Urban Forestry permit under PCC 11.40.020, and pruning that removes more than 15% of the live crown of a street tree or designated Heritage Tree requires a full permit and ANSI A300 standards. Routine clearance pruning of branches encroaching from a neighbor's tree is allowed up to the property line but must not damage tree health.
Portland Tree Trimming Rules (Title 11)
Heavy RestrictionsTree Removal & Heritage Trees
Portland has one of the strictest tree-protection ordinances in the Pacific Northwest. PCC Title 11 ('Trees') requires a permit from Portland Urban Forestry to remove any street tree (any size) and to remove most private-property trees ≥12 inches DBH (diameter at breast height). Removing a tree without a permit can trigger fines up to $1,000 per inch of DBH under PCC 11.45 plus mandatory replacement.
Portland Tree Removal Permits (Title 11)
Heavy RestrictionsWeed Ordinances
Portland requires property owners to keep grass, weeds, and nuisance vegetation under 10 inches under PCC Title 29; the city can abate overgrown lots and lien the cost.
Weed Ordinance Rules in Portland
Some RestrictionsWater Restrictions
Portland generally has plentiful water from the Bull Run Watershed and does not impose year-round outdoor watering schedules. The Portland Water Bureau (PWB) operates a tiered drought-response plan under PCC Title 21 with voluntary curtailment (Stage 1) escalating to mandatory restrictions (Stages 2-4) if Bull Run reservoir levels fall. PCC 21.12.230 prohibits waste of water at all times, and PCC 21.16 authorizes emergency curtailment orders.
Portland Water Restrictions & Drought Response
Few RestrictionsRainwater Harvesting
Portland actively encourages rainwater harvesting; rain barrels and cisterns for outdoor irrigation are allowed with minimal regulation, and indoor use is permitted under Oregon Plumbing Specialty Code.
Rainwater Harvesting Rules in Portland
Few RestrictionsNative Plants
Portland actively encourages native-plant and ecoroof landscaping through Bureau of Environmental Services and Bureau of Planning and Sustainability programs. PCC 33.248 (Landscaping and Screening) governs required landscaping for development, and Portland's Stormwater Management Manual mandates native or drought-adapted plants in vegetated stormwater facilities. Naturalistic and meadow landscapes are exempt from PCC 29.30 grass-height enforcement when maintained as intentional landscape.
Portland Native Plants & Naturalistic Landscaping
Few RestrictionsArtificial Turf
Portland allows artificial turf in residential yards subject to PCC Title 24 drainage and stormwater rules; many sustainability programs discourage it in favor of permeable landscape.
Artificial Turf Rules in Portland
Some RestrictionsLooking for Multnomah County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Portland city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Multnomah County →