Multnomah County, OR Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Max height, general yard
- 6 feet
- Max height near front/street side
- 4 feet
- Front-line buffer for the drop
- within 15 feet
- Applies to
- unincorporated county only
- Fine range
- $45-$3,500 per day
Summary
In unincorporated Multnomah County's Urban Low Density Residential zones, yard fences top out at six feet, dropping to four feet near the front or street-side property line.
A fence, lattice work, screen, wall or similar feature with a maximum height of six feet may be located in any required yard provided, however, that the maximum height shall be four feet if the feature is within 15 feet of a front property line or five feet of a street side property line.
(G) Except as provided in the LF Base zone, chimneys, antennae, or similar structures may exceed height maximums established by Ordinance if located at least 20 feet from any property line.
(H) A two-unit dwelling may be located with one unit on each of two adjoining lots. In such event, the minimum lot size and yard requirements shall apply to each unit, except that no yard shall be required between the units.
Full Breakdown
Multnomah County Code § 39.4782(F) sets the yard fence standard for the county's LR-5, LR-7 and LR-10 base zones: a fence, wall, lattice or similar screen up to six feet tall is allowed anywhere in a required yard, but the cap drops to four feet if the fence sits within 15 feet of the front property line or five feet of a street-side property line, preserving sightlines near the street. This governs unincorporated county land only. Portland, Gresham, Troutdale, Fairview and Wood Village enforce their own fence rules. In the county's rural EFU, MUA-20 and RR farm zones, § 39.4325(C)(1) instead requires any fence or wall over six feet to be set back from every lot line by a distance equal to its own height.
Violations & Fines
Zoning violations go through the Department of Community Services Code Compliance Specialist under MCC 39.1510-39.1530: a Notice of Violation, a chance to abate or sign a compliance agreement, then fines from $45 to $3,500 per day of noncompliance under MCC 39.1550(A).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I build a 6-foot privacy fence anywhere on my unincorporated Multnomah County lot?
Does this apply if I live in Portland?
What if my property is zoned rural (EFU or RR) instead of LR?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Multnomah County
How Multnomah County compares: Cities That Allow the Tallest Residential Fences·Compare Multnomah County to another location·View the Oregon fence regulations overview
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