Moving to Gresham, OR?
Here are the local rules you need to know before you unpack.
Every city has its own set of local ordinances that go beyond state and federal law. From when you can mow your lawn to whether you can park your RV in the driveway, these rules affect daily life in ways most people do not expect. This guide covers the key ordinances in Gresham across 11 categories and 38 specific rules we track.
๐ Noise Ordinances
Noise rules affect everything from weekend parties to lawn care schedules. Quiet hours, construction restrictions, and barking dog limits vary widely between cities.
Quiet Hours
Some RestrictionsGresham Revised Code ยง7.20 regulates noise. Residential areas must not exceed 50 dBA between 10 PM and 7 AM, or 60 dBA between 7 AM and 10 PM at the property line.
Construction Hours
Some RestrictionsGresham permits construction activities between 7 AM and 10 PM per GRC ยง7.20. Construction noise outside these hours is prohibited in residential areas.
Barking Dogs
Some RestrictionsGresham addresses barking dogs through noise and animal control ordinances. Persistent barking that disturbs neighbors is a violation enforceable through Code Compliance and Multnomah County Animal Services.
๐ Short-Term Rentals
If you plan to rent out your home on Airbnb or VRBO - even occasionally - you need to know the local STR rules before listing.
Occupancy Limits
Some RestrictionsGresham's short-term rental program (Gresham Revised Code Article 9.56) caps overnight occupancy at two guests per bedroom plus two additional persons. Daytime occupancy may add up to six additional guests beyond the overnight count. The host must declare bedroom count on the city's STR registration application; STRs are limited to stays of 30 consecutive nights or fewer.
Insurance Requirements
Some RestrictionsGresham requires every short-term rental operator to provide proof of liability insurance covering guests for at least $1 million as a condition of registration under Gresham Revised Code Article 9.56. The host submits the insurance carrier name, policy number, and expiration date on the STR application; both Hosted Homeshare ($175) and Vacation Home Rental ($375) registration types require this filing.
Taxes & Fees
Heavy RestrictionsGresham requires STR operators to collect and remit the transient lodging tax on stays of fewer than 30 days. Multnomah County also levies a tourist development tax.
Permit Requirements
Some RestrictionsGresham requires short-term rental operators to comply with state and local regulations. Oregon law (ORS 90.100) limits cities from banning STRs outright. Hosts must collect and remit the transient lodging tax.
Noise Rules
Some RestrictionsShort-term rental guests in Gresham must comply with the city's noise control ordinance. The same 50/60 dBA limits and 10 PMโ7 AM quiet hours apply to rental properties.
Parking Rules
Some RestrictionsSTR guests in Gresham must comply with city street parking regulations. Hosts should provide adequate off-street parking information to guests.
๐ฅ Fire Regulations
Fire pit rules, fireworks restrictions, and brush clearance requirements are especially important if you are coming from a state with different fire risk profiles.
Fire Pit Rules
Some RestrictionsGresham allows recreational fires in approved fire pits with size and setback restrictions. Fires must be attended at all times and may be banned during air quality advisories.
Fireworks
Heavy RestrictionsGresham follows Oregon state law restricting fireworks. Only state-approved fireworks are legal. Bottle rockets, firecrackers, and aerial fireworks are banned.
Outdoor Burning
Heavy RestrictionsOpen burning is largely prohibited in Gresham and Multnomah County. Backyard debris burning is not allowed. The Oregon DEQ regulates air quality and burning restrictions.
๐ Parking Rules
Parking rules catch more new residents off guard than almost any other ordinance. RV storage, overnight parking bans, and driveway regulations vary significantly.
Commercial Vehicle Restrictions
Some RestrictionsGresham restricts commercial vehicle parking in residential zones. Large commercial vehicles and heavy equipment may not be stored in residential areas.
RV & Boat Parking
Some RestrictionsGresham restricts RV and boat parking on public streets and in residential front yards. Recreational vehicles must be stored in approved locations and may not be used as dwellings.
Street Parking Limits
Some RestrictionsGresham regulates on-street parking with time limits in certain areas. Vehicles must be currently registered and operable. Abandoned vehicles are subject to towing.
Driveway Rules
Some RestrictionsGresham requires driveways to meet development code standards. Vehicles must not block sidewalks or extend into the public right-of-way. Driveway modifications may require permits.
๐งฑ Fence Regulations
Planning to put up a fence? Height limits, material restrictions, and permit requirements differ by city - and sometimes by which side of the property the fence sits on.
Permit Requirements
Few RestrictionsMost residential fences in Gresham do not require a building permit if they meet standard height limits. Fences on or near property lines should verify placement with a survey.
Height Limits
Some RestrictionsGresham Development Code ยง9.0400 regulates fence heights. Front yard fences are limited to 3.5 feet and side/rear yard fences to 6 feet in residential zones.
Neighbor Fence Rules
Few RestrictionsGresham allows fences on property lines. Oregon law does not require neighbor consent for fences on your own property. Shared fence maintenance costs may be split by agreement.
๐ Animal Ordinances
Pet owners and aspiring chicken keepers should check local animal ordinances before signing a lease or closing on a home.
Dog Leash Laws
Heavy RestrictionsGresham requires dogs to be leashed when off the owner's property. Dogs must be under control at all times in public areas. Off-leash is permitted only in designated dog parks.
Breed Restrictions
Few RestrictionsGresham does not have breed-specific dog restrictions. Oregon state law (ORS 609.035) preempts local breed-specific legislation. All dogs are regulated based on behavior, not breed.
Beekeeping
Few RestrictionsBeekeeping is allowed in Gresham on residential properties. Oregon law supports backyard beekeeping. Hives should be positioned with consideration for neighbors.
Exotic Pets
Some RestrictionsOregon state law regulates exotic pet ownership. Many exotic species require permits from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Gresham follows state regulations.
๐ฟ Landscaping Rules
From grass height limits to tree removal permits, landscaping rules can surprise new homeowners, especially in drought-prone areas with water restrictions.
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Some RestrictionsGresham regulates tree removal through its Development Code. Significant trees may require a permit before removal. Street trees cannot be removed without city approval.
Grass Height Limits
Some RestrictionsGresham requires property owners to maintain vegetation. Grass and weeds exceeding 10 inches trigger code compliance action. Properties must not create a nuisance or fire hazard.
Tree Trimming
Some RestrictionsGresham requires property owners to maintain trees so they do not obstruct sidewalks, streets, or sight lines. Street trees must have 8 feet of vertical clearance over sidewalks and 14 feet over streets.
Water Restrictions
Some RestrictionsGresham follows regional water conservation guidelines. During summer months, voluntary and sometimes mandatory restrictions apply. The city encourages efficient irrigation practices.
๐ผ Home Business
Working from home is common, but running a business from home often requires permits and must comply with zoning restrictions on customer traffic and signage.
Zoning Restrictions
Some RestrictionsGresham allows home occupations in residential zones under the Development Code. Businesses must be secondary to the residential use and not change the character of the neighborhood.
Signage Rules
Some RestrictionsGresham restricts signage for home businesses. Signs must be small and unobtrusive, typically limited to one small nameplate sign. Illuminated or freestanding signs are generally not allowed.
Customer Traffic Restrictions
Some RestrictionsGresham limits customer traffic for home businesses. The business must not generate traffic beyond normal residential levels. Some home occupations restrict or prohibit client visits.
๐ Swimming Pools & Spas
Pool ownership comes with safety fencing requirements, permit obligations, and drainage rules that vary by jurisdiction.
Fencing Requirements
Heavy RestrictionsGresham requires swimming pools to be enclosed by a barrier at least 4 feet high with self-closing, self-latching gates per Oregon building code. Pool barriers must prevent unsupervised child access.
Safety Rules
Heavy RestrictionsGresham follows Oregon building code for pool safety. Pools require permits, inspections, electrical bonding, and approved drain covers to prevent entrapment.
Above-Ground Pools
Some RestrictionsAbove-ground pools in Gresham must meet barrier requirements. Pools with walls less than 48 inches need additional fencing. Ladders must be removable or have a locking barrier.
๐๏ธ Accessory Structures
Thinking about an ADU, shed, or garage conversion? Local rules on accessory structures have changed rapidly in recent years, especially in California.
Carport Rules
Some RestrictionsGresham Community Development Code Section 7.0420 (Design Standards for Single Detached, Duplex, Triplex and Quadplex) treats carports as accessory structures that face the street. Attached and detached garages and carports facing the street may not exceed 50 percent of the street frontage, must be set back at least 4 feet behind the street-facing wall closest to the street, and the front-yard driveway width is limited to the carport width. Building permits are administered under the Oregon Residential Specialty Code.
ADU Rules
Some RestrictionsGresham allows accessory dwelling units (ADUs) in residential zones per Oregon state law (HB 2001). One ADU is permitted per lot. ADUs must meet development code standards for size, setbacks, and parking.
Shed Rules
Few RestrictionsSmall sheds under 200 square feet generally do not require a building permit in Gresham. Larger structures require permits and must meet setback requirements from the Development Code.
Garage Conversions
Some RestrictionsGarage conversions in Gresham require building permits and must meet building code for habitable space. Converting a garage to living space may be treated as an ADU under Oregon law.
๐ Environmental Rules
Overall: What to Expect in Gresham
Gresham has 38 ordinances on file across 11 categories. Of these, 5 are rated permissive, 26 moderate, and 7 strict. This gives you a general sense of how tightly regulated daily life is in Gresham compared to other cities.
Rules can change, and enforcement varies. Always verify specific requirements with the city directly before making major decisions like building a fence, listing on Airbnb, or starting a home business.