Before You Build in Portland, OR: Permit & Rule Checklist (2026)

Portland requires a building permit for any retaining wall over 4 feet from bottom of footing to top of wall, or any wall supporting a surcharge, under PCC Title 24.

Portland follows the Oregon Residential Specialty Code Appendix V requiring 48-inch barriers, self-closing gates, and approved safety covers for residential swimming pools.

Portland does NOT require a building permit for fences 7 feet tall or less in residential zones — this is one of the city's most permissive features. PCC 24.10 (adopting the Oregon Residential Specialty Code) and the Bureau of Development Services exempt residential fences up to 7 ft from building-permit review. However, fences must still meet PCC 33.110.255 height limits (3.5 ft front, 8 ft side/rear) and vision-clearance rules under PCC 33.266.220.

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.

Portland follows Oregon's boundary fence statute (ORS 97.130). Responsibility for shared boundary fences is governed by state law. Oregon does not mandate cost-sharing by default, but neighbors can negotiate shared fence agreements. Property surveys are recommended before fence installation.

Portland requires a building permit for any in-ground pool and for above-ground pools deeper than 24 inches under PCC Title 24 and the Oregon Residential Specialty Code.

Portland requires a plumbing and electrical permit for hot tubs and spas; a locking rigid ASTM F1346 cover can substitute for a full fenced barrier.

Above-ground pools in Portland must follow setback and building coverage standards. Removable ladders or steps must be secured or locked to prevent child access. Electrical permits may be required. If pool structure is used as barrier, access openings must not allow passage of a 4-inch sphere.

Residential swimming pool barriers in Portland are governed by Appendix G of the Oregon Residential Specialty Code (adopted via PCC Title 24) and the Oregon Swimming Pool, Spa and Sauna code (ORS 448.005 et seq., OAR 333-060). Any pool, spa, or hot tub deeper than 24 inches must be enclosed by a barrier at least 48 inches high with self-closing, self-latching gates and no openings allowing passage of a 4-inch sphere. Permit review is by Portland BDS.

Portland requires building permits for in-ground pools, electrical permits for all pool installations, and compliance with Oregon Residential Specialty Code. Pool setbacks, barrier compliance, and drainage are required for permit approval.

Portland allows accessory dwelling units (ADUs) on every single-dwelling residential lot under PCC 33.205. ADUs can be attached, internal (basement/attic conversion), or detached and may be up to 75% of the primary dwelling's living area or 800 sq ft, whichever is greater. No additional parking is required, no owner-occupancy is required, and System Development Charges are waived under PCC Title 17.13.

Converting a garage to living space in Portland requires a building permit and typically trade permits. If the conversion creates an independent unit with kitchen and bathroom, it qualifies as an ADU under Chapter 33.205. Off-street parking considerations apply.

Portland is among the most ADU-friendly cities in the U.S.; tiny homes on foundations qualify as Accessory Dwelling Units under PCC 33.205 and Chapter 33.207, and tiny houses on wheels may park as recreational vehicles subject to time limits.

Portland allows open-sided carports as accessory structures in residential zones under PCC 33.110; carports in front yards must meet driveway standards and setbacks.

Portland exempts one-story accessory structures (sheds) of 200 square feet or less from a building permit under the Oregon Residential Specialty Code, adopted via PCC Title 24. However, even permit-exempt sheds must meet PCC 33.110.250 setback rules (typically 5 ft side/rear) and the accessory-structure standards in PCC 33.110.255 limiting height to 15 feet and footprint to no more than 15% of the lot area in most residential zones.

Open burning is generally prohibited inside Portland city limits under Portland City Code Chapter 31.16 and Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) air-quality rules. Small recreational fires in a permanent fire pit, chiminea, or commercial portable fire device are allowed only if they burn clean wood, are under 3 feet across, and stay 25 feet from buildings. Multnomah County prohibits residential debris burning year-round.

Recreational fire pits are allowed in Portland subject to distance requirements: 25 feet from structures or combustible materials. Fires in approved containers/chimeneas require 15 feet. Fires must be constantly attended and have extinguishing equipment on hand.

Portland regulates pruning under the same Tree Code (PCC Title 11) that governs removals. Pruning any street tree requires a free Urban Forestry permit under PCC 11.40.020, and pruning that removes more than 15% of the live crown of a street tree or designated Heritage Tree requires a full permit and ANSI A300 standards. Routine clearance pruning of branches encroaching from a neighbor's tree is allowed up to the property line but must not damage tree health.

Portland generally has plentiful water from the Bull Run Watershed and does not impose year-round outdoor watering schedules. The Portland Water Bureau (PWB) operates a tiered drought-response plan under PCC Title 21 with voluntary curtailment (Stage 1) escalating to mandatory restrictions (Stages 2-4) if Bull Run reservoir levels fall. PCC 21.12.230 prohibits waste of water at all times, and PCC 21.16 authorizes emergency curtailment orders.

Portland has one of the strictest tree-protection ordinances in the Pacific Northwest. PCC Title 11 ('Trees') requires a permit from Portland Urban Forestry to remove any street tree (any size) and to remove most private-property trees ≥12 inches DBH (diameter at breast height). Removing a tree without a permit can trigger fines up to $1,000 per inch of DBH under PCC 11.45 plus mandatory replacement.