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.
PCC 33.110.255 sets the residential fence-height standards: 3.5 feet maximum in any required front building setback; 8 feet in side and rear yards (a common misconception is that Portland caps at 6 ft — that's incorrect for side/rear); 6 feet in side-street setbacks on corner lots. PCC 33.110.255(B) also allows up to 6 ft in the front setback if the upper 50% is at least 50% open (e.g., picket or lattice). PCC 33.266.220 ('Vision Clearance Areas') requires no obstruction over 2.5 ft tall within triangular sight zones at driveways (10 ft) and street corners (15 ft) — this overrides the fence-height rule where it applies. Adjustments to exceed limits are processed by BDS as Type II reviews under PCC 33.805, with neighbor notice and an approximately $4,000 application fee. Barbed wire and electric fences are prohibited in residential zones under PCC 33.110.255(D) (allowed only in industrial/manufacturing zones with conditions).
Building a fence over the height limit is enforced by BDS as a zoning violation under PCC 33.700 with notice to modify or remove within 30 days, escalating to civil fines of $250-$1,000/day. Vision-clearance violations are enforced more urgently because of public-safety risk. Barbed-wire installations in residential zones must be removed; continued non-compliance triggers daily fines.
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