Clackamas County, OR Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Code 7.03.090.B
- Sign/signal clearance
- 200 feet, per 7.03.090.D
- Clearance standard source
- Clackamas County Roadway Standards
- Correction window
- Minimum 10 days after notice
- Penalty basis
- ORS 203.065(1) civil penalty
Summary
County code bars trees, shrubs, hedges and overhanging limbs on or near a road right-of-way if they block the view needed for safe driving. The Road Official judges hazard, and the required sight-clearance is set by the county's own Roadway Standards.
B. Visual Impediments to Safe Road Use – No person shall allow any of the following things to exist on or in the road right-of-way, including intersecting corners, that abuts property they own or occupy, or on property that abuts a road, or in the airspace above a road, if the thing obstructs the view necessary for safe operation of motor vehicles upon the road, or if it causes potential danger to the public that uses the road: 1. Trees; 2. Shrubs; 3. Hedges; 4. Any vegetation; 5. Projecting overhanging limbs of vegetation; 6. Temporary or permanent structures; 7. Fences; 8. Berms; 9. Natural or man-made objects. The view necessary for safe use of the road by the public shall be described in the Clackamas County Roadway Standards.
Full Breakdown
B, "Visual Impediments to Safe Road Use," prohibits letting trees, shrubs, hedges, any vegetation, or projecting and overhanging limbs exist on or in the road right-of-way, at intersecting corners, on abutting property, or in the airspace above a road, if the vegetation obstructs the view needed for safe vehicle operation or creates potential danger to the public using the road. Temporary or permanent structures, fences, berms and other natural or man-made objects are covered by the same subsection. The code does not set a single numeric clearance height for every road; instead it points to the Clackamas County Roadway Standards, which describe the view necessary for safe road use in more technical detail for specific roadway classes and intersection geometry.
D, separately requires that vegetation and overhanging limbs not obstruct visibility of an official traffic control device from 200 feet, or from the MUTCD-specified distance if greater for a stop sign, yield sign or signal. Enforcement runs through DTD's Road Official, who evaluates the vegetation against these standards on a case-by-case basis rather than a flat height rule.
Violations & Fines
Violations of 7.03.090.B fall under 7.03.080.A and carry civil penalties in the amounts authorized by ORS 203.065(1). The county issues a violation notice under 7.03.070 with a correction deadline of at least 10 days; uncorrected vegetation hazards can be referred to the Compliance Hearings Officer or pursued through abatement or injunction proceedings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Clackamas County make me trim a tree that blocks a road view?
Is there a set height limit for hedges near county roads?
What about trees blocking a stop sign?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Clackamas County
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