Washington County, OR follows SB 762 wildfire hazard mapping with defensible space obligations concentrated in wildland-urban interface (WUI) zones along the west county foothills near the Tillamook State Forest. Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue (TVF&R) is the primary fire agency and enforces Oregon Fire Code clearance rules.
Unlike California, Oregon does not impose a flat 100-foot defensible space mandate; requirements flow from SB 762 (2021), Oregon Department of Forestry hazard mapping, and local fire agency rules. Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue (TVF&R) serves most of the county including Beaverton, Tigard, Tualatin, Sherwood, and much of unincorporated Washington County. Forest Grove Fire & Rescue and Banks Fire District 13 serve the northwest/agricultural portions. In mapped WUI areas β concentrated west of Forest Grove toward Gales Creek, around Bull Mountain, Cooper Mountain, and Chehalem Mountain β property owners are expected to maintain 30 feet of lean/clean/green defensible space around structures and an additional reduced-fuel zone out to 100 feet where lot size allows, consistent with Oregon's Statewide Fire Code appendices. Oregon Department of Forestry enforces industrial and slash burning standards in the Forest Grove District. Homes along the urban growth boundary (UGB) transition into rural-residential zones (AF-5, AF-10, AF-20, EFU) where clearance is especially important. During regulated use closure (typically June-October), chainsaw and power equipment use is restricted to early morning hours.
Non-compliance with TVF&R clearance notice: abatement by the district with costs placed on the tax roll. ODF violations during fire season: civil penalties up to $1,000-$10,000 under ORS 477.120. Structure-threat violations in mapped WUI can trigger insurance non-renewal issues.
Washington County, OR
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Washington County, OR
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Washington County, OR
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Washington County, OR
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Washington County, OR
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Washington County, OR
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See how Washington County's brush clearance rules stack up against other locations.
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