Hillsboro, OR Fence Regulations: Retaining Walls (2026)
Key Facts
- Screening threshold
- 30 inches
- Max height with landscaping
- 15 feet
- Applies in
- North Hillsboro Industrial Area Plan District
- Governing section
- CDC § 12.66.250.D.4
Summary
In Hillsboro's North Hillsboro Industrial Area Plan District, retaining walls over 30 inches must be fully screened from public rights-of-way or capped at 15 feet with base landscaping, per CDC § 12.66.250.D.4.
4. Retaining Walls. Retaining walls over 30 inches in height shall either be: a. Fully screened so as to be not visible from public rights-of-way or residential zones; or b. A maximum height of 15 feet in height with landscaping at the base which screens and softens the appearance of the retaining wall.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Municipal Code: Supplement 1 | Community Development Code: Supplement 1).
Full Breakdown
In Hillsboro, Oregon (Washington County), the Community Development Code applies its citywide fence and wall standards to the North Hillsboro Industrial Area Plan District, but adds a retaining-wall-specific rule in CDC § 12.66.250.D.4: any retaining wall taller than 30 inches must be fully screened from public rights-of-way and residential zones, or held to a maximum 15 feet with landscaping at its base to soften the wall's appearance. This is Hillsboro's only Community Development Code standard written specifically for retaining walls; outside this industrial plan district, retaining walls are handled through the general fence-permit and building-permit process, not a dedicated zoning height cap.
Violations & Fines
Building an unscreened retaining wall over 30 inches, or exceeding 15 feet even with screening, violates CDC § 12.66.250.D.4 and can require redesign, added landscaping, or removal as a condition of approval.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this retaining wall rule apply citywide in Hillsboro?
How tall can an unscreened retaining wall be in this district?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hillsboro
Compare Hillsboro to another location·View the Oregon fence regulations overview
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Retaining Walls in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Washington County handle retaining walls.