Height Limits: Gresham vs Portland
How do height limits rules compare between Gresham, OR and Portland, OR?
Gresham and Portland have similar restriction levels.
Gresham, OR
Multnomah County
Gresham Development Code §9.0400 regulates fence heights. Front yard fences are limited to 3.5 feet and side/rear yard fences to 6 feet in residential zones.
View full Gresham rules →Portland, OR
Multnomah County
Portland's residential fence height limits are set in PCC 33.110.255. Fences in front building setbacks (typically the front yard) are limited to 3.5 feet, side and rear yard fences are limited to 8 feet, and fences in side street setbacks on corner lots are limited to 6 feet. Fences over the height limit require a Type II adjustment under PCC 33.805. Vision-clearance triangles at driveways and corners further restrict height to 2.5 feet under PCC 33.266.220.
View full Portland rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Gresham | Portland |
|---|---|---|
| Front Yard | 3.5 feet maximum | 3.5 ft (or 6 ft if upper 50% is 50%+ open) |
| Side/Rear Yard | 6 feet maximum | 8 ft |
| Code Section | Development Code §9.0400 | - |
| Corner Lots | Sight clearance required | - |
| Code | - | PCC 33.110.255 |
| Corner Side-Street | - | 6 ft |
| Vision Triangle | - | 2.5 ft max (PCC 33.266.220) |
| Barbed Wire | - | Prohibited in residential zones |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Gresham FAQ
How tall can a fence be in Gresham, Oregon?
Front yard fences are limited to 3.5 feet. Side and rear yard fences can be up to 6 feet per Development Code §9.0400.
Do corner lots have special fence rules in Gresham?
Yes, corner lot fences must maintain sight clearance triangles at intersections for driver visibility.
Portland FAQ
What's the maximum fence height in Portland's backyards?
Eight feet in side and rear yards under PCC 33.110.255 — Portland is actually more permissive than most cities, which cap at 6 ft. Going over 8 ft requires a Type II adjustment through BDS.
How tall can my front yard fence be in Portland?
3.5 feet maximum within the required front setback, or up to 6 ft if the upper 50% is at least 50% open (a typical picket or lattice top) — both under PCC 33.110.255.
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