Eugene, OR Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Front yard fence max
- 42 inches (EC 9.2751(14)(b)1)
- Interior yard fence max
- 6 feet in required side/rear setback
- Corner lot exception
- up to 6 feet on one frontage
- Deer fencing (R-1 only)
- up to 8 feet, open wire only
- Vision clearance zone
- obstruction-free 2.5 to 9 feet above curb
- Commercial-zone interior cap
- 8 feet under EC 9.2170(6)
Summary
Eugene caps residential fences at 42 inches within the required front yard setback and 6 feet within interior side or rear setbacks under EC 9.2751(14)(b). Corner lots get a partial exception up to 6 feet on one frontage, and every fence must still clear the EC 9.6780 vision triangle at street corners.
(b) Location and Heights.
1. Except as provided in subsection (c) below, fences up to 42 inches in height are permitted within the required front yard setback. For corner lots or double frontage lots, a fence between 42 inches and 6 feet in height is permitted within one of the two front yard setbacks, so long as for corner lots, this fence cannot extend past a line created by an extension of the front wall of the dwelling.
2. Except as provided in subsection (c) below, fences up to 6 feet in height are permitted within the required interior yard setback.
3. The height of fences that are not located within the required setback areas is the same as the regular height limits of the zone.
4. Fences must meet the standards in EC 9.6780 Vision Clearance Area.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 20739, passed June 8, 2026).
Full Breakdown
2750. A fence within the required front yard setback is capped at 42 inches, but on a corner lot or double-frontage lot the code allows a fence between 42 inches and 6 feet on one of the two front setbacks, so long as it doesn't extend past a line drawn through the front wall of the house, protecting sightlines onto the side street. Fences in the required interior (side or rear) yard setback may run up to 6 feet, and outside any required setback area a fence can rise to the zone's regular building height limit. 8030(11). 5 feet apart, and chain link or solid plastic deer fencing is prohibited. 6780 vision clearance.
Violations & Fines
An oversized or non-conforming fence is enforced as a code compliance case rather than a criminal offense. Under EC 2.018, the city manager's designee must first seek voluntary correction and give at least five calendar days to fix the fence before imposing an administrative civil penalty, which can reach $2,000 per day for a continuing violation. The property owner may appeal any penalty notice to a hearings officer under EC 2.021 before it becomes final.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can my front-yard fence be in Eugene?
What's the fence height limit for my side or back yard?
Can I build a taller fence to keep deer out of my garden?
Do corner-lot fences have to respect sightlines?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Eugene
How Eugene compares: Cities That Allow the Tallest Residential Fences·Compare Eugene to another location·View the Oregon fence regulations overview
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