Fences, Walls and Retaining Walls

The Development Code regulates the location, height, materials, maintenance and appearance of fences, walls and retaining walls within the City of Lake Oswego. 

Building permits may be required based on the height and purpose of a fence or retaining wall. Please contact the Building Division for more information.

Fences: In Residential Zones, the maximum height for a fence is 6 feet, except where within 10 feet of a street, where the maximum height is 4 feet. Trellises or lattice above a fence are included in the fence height calculation.  

Retaining Walls:

- Retaining walls taller than 4 feet (measured from top of footing) are subject to the primary structure setbacks for the zone. Retaining walls within 5 feet of one another are considered one wall for the purposes of calculating wall height.

- A Building Permit is required for all retaining walls that are greater than 4 feet in height, and any retaining wall that is over 2 feet in height that supports a surcharge (i.e., any load in addition to the level grade within a 45 degree angle from the bottom of the footing to level grade). [For purposes of a Building Permit, the height of a retaining wall is measured from the bottom of the footing to the top of the retaining wall].

Fences on Top of Retaining Walls: Fences on top of or within 5 feet of a retaining wall have a cumulative height with the rwall of 8 feet, measured from the top of footing for the wall to the top of the fence.

Portals, Arbors & Trellises: A Building Permit may be required based on the materials, height, and connections of the structure. Please contact the Building Division for more information.

For more information regarding fence and wall location, height, and materials, please read the attached fence handout.