Along a public right-of-way, Marion County measures fence height from the sidewalk, or the curb, or the finished shoulder grade if neither exists. All other fences are measured from the finished grade where they sit (MCC 17.117.090).
Beyond the 8-foot and 48-inch caps in MCC 17.117.080, the Rural Zoning Code fixes exactly how height is measured so builders and inspectors agree. MCC 17.117.090 states that fences, walls, and hedges along a public right-of-way are measured from and along the sidewalk; if there is no sidewalk, from the curb; and if there is no curb, from the finished shoulder grade of the right-of-way. Every other fence is measured from the finished grade upon which it sits. This prevents adding height by mounding soil. Fences must also stay clear of vision-obstruction zones near street corners and driveways under Public Works sight-distance standards.
A fence that exceeds the limit once measured by the code method is nonconforming and may be ordered lowered or removed by the county.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Salem, OR
Salem designates public parking spaces for electric vehicle charging. Those spaces are reserved exclusively for vehicles that are actively charging. Paying t...
Salem, OR
Salem Revised Code Chapter 102 prohibits vehicles from remaining parked on the same public street block for more than 24 consecutive hours. Overnight parking...
Salem, OR
Salem has no city ordinance setting a specific defensible-space distance (e.g., 30 or 100 feet). Tall grass, brush, and dead vegetation can be abated as a pu...
Salem, OR
Salem adopts the Oregon Fire Code (OFC) in SRC Chapter 58, which incorporates OFC Chapter 61 and NFPA 58 standards governing LP-gas and propane storage, hand...
Salem, OR
Salem declares overgrown weeds and tall grass a public nuisance under SRC Chapter 98. Property owners must maintain vegetation to prevent it from becoming a ...
Salem, OR
Salem encourages home composting and offers curbside yard-debris collection. SRC Chapter 47 governs solid waste and yard debris. No permit is required for ba...
See how Salem's fence requirements rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.