Portland, OR Fence Regulations: Height Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Front setback fence height
- 3-1/2 feet
- Side/rear setback fence height
- 8 feet
- Corner lot sightline strip
- 3-1/2 ft within 10 ft of side street line
- Outside required setbacks
- Zone's regular height limit applies
Summary
In Portland's single-dwelling zones, front-yard fences top out at 3-1/2 feet, while side and rear yard fences can go up to 8 feet under the zoning code.
1. Front building setbacks. Fences up to 3-1/2 feet high are allowed in required front building setbacks, or between the front lot line and the front building line of the primary structure, whichever is less. 2. Side and rear building setbacks. a. Fences up to 8 feet high are allowed in required side or rear building setbacks that do not abut a pedestrian connection... 3. Exceptions for corner lots... a. Fences up to 3-1/2 feet high are allowed within the first 10 feet of the side street lot line.
Full Breakdown
Portland City Code § 33.110.275 caps fences in required front building setbacks at 3-1/2 feet, and fences in required side or rear building setbacks at 8 feet (lower where the setback abuts a narrow pedestrian connection). Corner lots get a separate option: fences within the first 10 feet of the side street lot line are capped at 3-1/2 feet to preserve sightlines, in exchange for taller fences allowed elsewhere on the site. Fences outside required building setbacks follow the zone's regular height limit instead. Multi-dwelling, commercial, and employment zones have their own parallel fence sections (33.120.285, 33.140.275, 33.150.285) with similar but not identical numbers, so confirm your zone before building.
Violations & Fines
The Bureau of Development Services enforces zoning code violations; an oversized fence can draw a code compliance case and an order to bring it into conformance or remove it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall can my front yard fence be in Portland?
Can I build a taller fence on a corner lot?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Portland
How Portland compares: Cities That Allow the Tallest Residential Fences·Compare Portland to another location·View the Oregon fence regulations overview
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Height Limits in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Multnomah County handle height limits.