Height Limits: Portland vs Seattle
How do height limits rules compare between Portland, OR and Seattle, WA?
Portland and Seattle have similar restriction levels.
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 →Seattle, WA
King County
Under SMC 23.44.014, fences in single-family zones may be up to 6 ft solid in side/rear yards. Above 6 ft, fences must be predominantly open (50%+ open); total max is 8 ft. Front yard fences: max 4 ft in required setbacks. Fence + retaining wall combined max: 9.5 ft.
View full Seattle rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Portland | Seattle |
|---|---|---|
| Code | PCC 33.110.255 | SMC 23.44.014 |
| Front Yard | 3.5 ft (or 6 ft if upper 50% is 50%+ open) | Max 4 ft in required setbacks |
| Side/Rear Yard | 8 ft | - |
| Corner Side-Street | 6 ft | - |
| Vision Triangle | 2.5 ft max (PCC 33.266.220) | - |
| Barbed Wire | Prohibited in residential zones | - |
| Side/Rear (Solid) | - | Max 6 ft without permit |
| Total Max Height | - | 8 ft (above 6 ft must be 50%+ open) |
| Wall + Fence | - | Combined max 9.5 ft |
| Permit | - | Not required if ≤ 8 ft (no masonry over 6 ft) |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
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.
Seattle FAQ
How tall can my fence be in Seattle?
Under SMC 23.44.014, fences in single-family zones may be up to 6 ft solid in side/rear yards. Above 6 ft, fences must be predominantly open (50%+ open); total max is 8 ft. Front yard fences: max 4 ft in required setbacks. Fence + retaining wall combined max: 9.5 ft.
What is the maximum fence height for front yards in Seattle?
Code: SMC 23.44.014. Side/Rear (Solid): Max 6 ft without permit. Total Max Height: 8 ft (above 6 ft must be 50%+ open). Front Yard: Max 4 ft in required setbacks.
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