Washington County Community Development Code Section 415 regulates outdoor lighting on development sites. Light sources must be shielded so direct light does not trespass on adjacent residential property. Code enforcement handles complaints in unincorporated areas.
CDC 415 (Lighting) applies to new development and requires site lighting be directed and shielded so that direct rays do not shine onto adjacent residential properties or public rights-of-way. Luminaires on commercial and multi-family sites must be full cutoff where abutting residential zones. Existing single-family lighting is generally not permit-regulated but glare and light trespass onto neighbors can be enforced as a nuisance under Chapter 8.20 of the Code of Ordinances. Holiday lights are traditionally tolerated seasonally. Hillsboro (HMC 12.40), Beaverton (BDC 60.05.15.6), and Tigard (CDC 18.410) each impose full-cutoff, shielded-fixture standards for new non-residential development with light levels capped at property lines. Dark-sky style shielding is encouraged metro-wide.
Nuisance light complaint: code compliance issues notice, typical 10 to 30 day correction period. Continuing violations under Chapter 8.20: civil penalties up to $500 per day. Commercial development out of compliance with CDC 415: stop-work or certificate of occupancy hold.
Washington County, OR
Washington County noise control is governed by Chapter 8.24 of the Code of Ordinances. Business noise violations are handled by the Solid Waste & Recycling P...
Washington County, OR
Washington County requires electrical permits for Level 2 EV chargers under OAR 918-311-0065. HOAs cannot prohibit EV charger installation on owner property ...
Washington County, OR
Washington County Sheriff enforces parking regulations in unincorporated areas. Parking against traffic, storing vehicles on streets, parking over 18 inches ...
Washington County, OR
Washington County Sheriff's Office tags and tows abandoned vehicles on public rights-of-way under ORS 819.110 and county Chapter 8.16. A vehicle on public st...
Washington County, OR
Washington County requires a building permit for retaining walls over 4 feet tall measured from the bottom of foundation to top of wall (CDC 419-4). Walls su...
Washington County, OR
Washington County Community Development Code §411 permits standard residential fencing materials — cedar, vinyl, composite, wrought iron — and prohibits barb...
See how Washington County's light trespass rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.