What's Required in Portland
- A building permit is required for wood fences over 7 feet, masonry or concrete fences over 4 feet, chain link or woven wire over 8 feet, and any fence enclosing a swimming pool.
- Fence height is measured from the grade directly under the fence to the top, including lattice, posts or caps added on top.
- Zoning limits fences in the required front setback to 3-1/2 feet in many zones and allows up to 8 feet in side and rear setbacks that do not abut a pedestrian connection.
- Wood in contact with concrete or within 6 inches of the ground must be pressure-treated or naturally decay-resistant, and ground-contact lumber must be stamped.
- Fences between 7 and 8 feet need posts no more than 6 feet apart in concrete footings at least 18 inches wide and 3 feet deep, or an engineered design; fences over 8 feet must be engineered.
- All parts of the fence, including footings, must stay inside your property lines; call 503-823-7002 before fencing a front yard near the right-of-way.
- The application needs a site plan and structural plans showing footings, posts, framing, lumber sizes and spans.
- Contractors must list an Oregon CCB license; the permit fee is valuation-based with 65 percent plan review and a 12 percent state surcharge.
Do you need a permit for a fence in Portland?
For most backyard fences, no. Portland City Code 24.10.072 exempts fences of wood and similar materials up to 7 feet high, masonry or concrete fences up to 4 feet, and typical field fencing of woven wire or chain link up to 8 feet. Above those heights you need a building permit from Portland Permitting & Development (PP&D). The one exception is a swimming pool barrier: every fence that encloses a pool needs a permit regardless of height. Height is measured from the grade directly under the fence to the top, and lattice, posts or anything else added on top counts. The exemption only covers the building permit; zoning rules apply to every fence, and a zoning permit is optional if you want the city to confirm placement.
How much does a fence permit cost in Portland?
When a permit is needed the fee comes off the building permit table, based on the fair market value of the work including labor and materials. An 8 foot cedar privacy fence declared at $8,000 pays: building permit $220.85 for the first $2,000 plus 6 x $13.91 = $304.31; plan review at 65 percent = $197.80; Development Services fee $35.74 plus 6 x $3.74 = $58.18; Oregon 12 percent surcharge on the permit fee = $36.52. Total about $597. A 4 foot pool barrier fence declared at $3,500 pays $248.67 + $161.64 + $43.22 + $29.84 = about $483. The minimum building permit fee is $167 for work valued at $500 or less, which with plan review, the Development Services fee and surcharge comes to about $317. A zoning inspection fee of $125 may be added if planning staff review the permit. Fees are due when the permit is issued and PP&D says it reviews and issues most fence permits quickly.
| What you are doing | City filing | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| 6 ft wood fence along the back and side lot lines | No building permit | Wood fences up to 7 ft are exempt; fences up to 8 ft are allowed in side and rear setbacks by zoning |
| 8 ft wood fence in the rear setback | Building permit | Over 7 ft; about $597 at an $8,000 valuation; posts no more than 6 ft apart with 18 in footings 3 ft deep, or an engineered design |
| 4 ft fence enclosing a swimming pool | Building permit | All barriers around swimming pools require a permit; about $483 at a $3,500 valuation |
| 5 ft concrete block wall | Building permit | Masonry or concrete fences are exempt only up to 4 ft |
| 6 ft chain link field fence | No building permit | Woven wire or chain link is exempt up to 8 ft |
| 4 ft picket fence in the front setback | No building permit | Zoning limits fences in the required front setback to 3-1/2 ft in many zones; confirm your zone first |
| 9 ft fence outside all setbacks | Building permit | Fences over 8 ft must be designed by an Oregon-licensed engineer |
What does zoning allow for fence height?
Zoning Code section 33.110.275 applies to walls, fences and screens of any material. In the required front building setback a fence may be no more than 3-1/2 feet high. In required side and rear setbacks fences up to 8 feet are allowed where they do not abut a pedestrian connection. Outside the required setbacks the fence may go to the regular height limit of the zone. Corner lots whose main entrance faces the side street have an alternate option that keeps fences to 3-1/2 feet within the first 10 feet of the side street lot line. If you are fencing a front yard, call Transportation at 503-823-7002 to confirm you are not in the public right-of-way, and keep every part of the fence, including footings, inside your property lines.
What are the construction rules and who can do the work?
Brochure 3 sets the structural minimums. Wood that touches concrete or sits within 6 inches of the ground must be pressure-treated or naturally decay-resistant such as cedar or redwood, and pressure-treated posts below grade must be stamped for ground contact. A wood, metal or wire fence between 7 and 8 feet needs posts no more than 6 feet apart set in concrete footings at least 18 inches in diameter and 3 feet deep, or an engineered design. Fences over 7 feet made of other materials, and any fence over 8 feet, must be designed by an engineer licensed in Oregon. The permit application needs a site plan showing the fence location and a foundation plan and elevation showing lumber sizes, spacing and footings. Homeowners may build their own fence; contractors must list an Oregon CCB license. Apply through Development Hub PDX (DevHub) and request the final inspection through the 503-823-7000 line.
How to Get a Fence Permit in Portland
Check height and zone
Decide whether the fence exceeds 7 feet (wood), 4 feet (masonry) or 8 feet (chain link), or encloses a pool. Look up your zone and setbacks on PortlandMaps or call 503-823-7300.
Draw the site and structural plans
Show property lines, the fence location, and an elevation with post spacing, lumber sizes and footing size and depth. Fences over 8 feet need stamped engineering.
Apply on DevHub
Submit the building permit application and plans through Development Hub PDX. In-person submittal is available by appointment at 1900 SW Fourth Avenue if you qualify.
Pay and pick up the permit
PP&D reviews most fence permits quickly. Fees (permit, plan review, Development Services fee, surcharge) are due when the permit is issued.
Build and schedule the final inspection
Set posts and footings per the approved plans, then request the final inspection on the 503-823-7000 line with your IVR number and inspection code.