Building Setbacks & Zoning in Washington County, OR (2026)
2 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 2 cities in Washington County, Oregon.
Verified from official government sources
Setback Rules
Standard single-family lots in the R-5 District, Washington County's baseline residential zone, follow a set yard formula under CDC § 302-7.2.B: a 15-foot front yard, a 5-foot side yard, a 10-foot street-side yard on corner lots, and a 15-foot rear yard, with a 20-foot setback to any garage that faces the street.
Washington County R-5 Yard Setback Minimums
Some RestrictionsWashington County Community Development Code § 302-7.2.B
B.Yard (Setback) Requirements. Yards shall be measured from the property line, sidewalk, or easement for public travel, whichever is closest to the building line. The minimum yard requirements shall be:(1)Fifteen-foot front yard to the front building wall and 12 feet to a porch or other covered or enclosed entryway;(2)Twenty-foot front or street side yard to garage vehicle entrance, or four-foo...
Structure Height Limits
In unincorporated Washington County's R-5 District, the county's baseline single-family zone, the Community Development Code caps new houses at 35 feet and detached garages, sheds and other accessory structures at 15 feet. Chimneys, elevator housings, spires and similar rooftop projections can rise higher, to a hard 60-foot ceiling, under Section 302-7.2.C. Incorporated cities inside the county set their own limits.
Washington County Residential Structure Height Limit
Some RestrictionsWashington County Community Development Code § 302-7.2.C
C.Height:(1)The maximum height for structures shall be 35 feet except as modified by other Sections of this Code.(2)The maximum height for accessory structures shall be 15 feet except as modified by other Sections of this Code.(3)Normal building appurtenances and projections such as spires, belfries, cupolas, chimneys, ventilators, elevator housings or other structures placed on or extending ab...
Building Setbacks & Zoning by City in Washington County
2 cities in Washington County have their own building setbacks & zoning rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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