City Guide · Verified 2026
Fence Installation Permits in Gresham
Local Rule
City of Gresham Urban Design and Planning, Permit Services
Gresham does not require a building permit for fences up to 7 feet, or typical field fencing (woven wire or chain-link) up to 8 feet, except for barriers required around swimming pools under Appendix G, which always need a permit. The city's own fence code, Development Code Section 9.0400, separately caps fence height forward of the minimum front-yard setback line and applies additional standards in the Pleasant Valley and Springwater Plan Districts. Fences may not be built of tarps, sheet metal, chip board, plywood, or other sheet materials, or of scrap or dangerous materials (Gresham Revised Code 7.15.040(7)); vinyl and chain-link fencing are prohibited in the Downtown, Civic, Corridor, and Rockwood Design Districts. Fencing must not conflict with the Clear Vision Area requirements near intersections and driveways, and required fences must be completed before the city accepts public infrastructure or issues building permits for structures on the lot.
Source · Verified September 2026
Gresham Building Department
Office: City of Gresham Building Division, Permit Services
Address: 1333 NW Eastman Pkwy., Gresham, OR 97030
Phone: (503) 618-2845
Hours and procedures can change — call ahead to confirm.
How This Compares to Multnomah County
Gresham's own rule is shown above (No permit under 7 sqft). Here is the separate rule that applies at the county level, for context:
Municipal — administered individually, with Portland coverin
Oregon is unusual in that the state itself, not individual cities, sets the fence-exemption floor: the ORSC explicitly exempts wood, wire mesh, and chain-link fences under 7 feet, and municipalities legally cannot require a building permit below that height (masonry and concrete fences are the exception, cities may regulate those independently). Portland, the largest city in Multnomah County, administers building permits directly for specified unincorporated Multnomah County areas under a county service arrangement, and requires an Oregon-licensed engineer's design for any fence over 8 feet.
Nearby Cities with Verified Rules
Other cities near Gresham with a confirmed fence installation rule:
FAQs
Which department handles Fence Installation permits in Gresham?
City of Gresham Urban Design and Planning, Permit Services handles Fence Installation permits in Gresham.
Is Gresham different from Multnomah County on Fence Installation?
Yes. Gresham's rule is "No permit under 7 sqft", while Multnomah County in general is "Set by local rules". See the full breakdown of each below.
Building It Yourself? Here's What You'll Need
Popular tools and materials homeowners use for a fence installation project:
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