Hillsboro, OR
Hillsboro is the center of Oregon’s Silicon Forest and Washington County’s largest city, with Oregon statewide landlord-tenant protections supplemented by Hillsboro property and code rules, zone-specific parking controls, franchised private waste collection, City noise regulations, and Washington County dog licensing.
Essential Relocation Checkpoints in Hillsboro
Key administrative tasks and local utility setup when moving to Hillsboro, Oregon:
Use Oregon law for ordinary residential tenancies
Residential landlord-tenant relationships in Hillsboro are governed primarily by Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 90. The City does not have a Portland-style general renter-relocation program in the current local materials reviewed.
Know the 2026 Oregon rent-increase limit
For standard tenancies covered by Oregon’s rent-stabilization law, the 2026 maximum annual rent increase is 9.5%. Manufactured-dwelling and marina facilities have a separate 6% limit under ORS 90.600.
Separate state protections from Hillsboro code
Oregon’s landlord-tenant rules govern matters such as rent increases, termination, deposits, and tenant rights, while Hillsboro Municipal Code separately regulates property conditions, parking, noise, vacant properties, RV occupancy, and other local concerns.
Check the exact parking restriction
Hillsboro generally limits parking on a City street to 72 consecutive hours, but posted restrictions can be shorter. Downtown two-hour parking has an additional same-block-face rule, and eligible residents can request an exemption permit.
Use your assigned private waste hauler
The City of Hillsboro does not provide garbage and recycling collection itself. Six private franchised waste companies provide residential service under City-approved rate structures, so residents should confirm the assigned hauler and collection schedule by address.
Know the standard residential waste frequencies
The current standard Hillsboro residential rate structure includes weekly garbage, every-other-week curbside recycling, and every-other-week yard-debris service. Food scraps can be added to the yard-debris cart where the residential compost service is provided.
Watch Hillsboro’s 9 PM–6 AM noise period
Hillsboro Municipal Code §6.24.010 prohibits unauthorized, disturbing, or unnecessary noise. City Code Compliance specifically advises residents to be aware of noise levels especially between 9:00 PM and 6:00 AM, but this should not be described as a universal ban on every nighttime sound.
Do not live in an RV on ordinary property
Hillsboro Municipal Code §6.12.040 generally prohibits living, sleeping, or residing in an RV or trailer on a lot or public street unless the location is designated for overnight camping. This is a useful local rule for residents moving into the area with an RV.
License dogs through Washington County
All dogs six months and older must be licensed in Washington County. A current rabies vaccination is required for the license to be valid, and Hillsboro residents use the County animal-services licensing system rather than a Hillsboro-only dog-license program.
Short-term rentals have separate City approval
Hillsboro distinguishes partial-dwelling and full-dwelling short-term rentals. A partial-dwelling STR requires a City permit and primary-residence occupancy by the owner, while a full-dwelling STR requires Development Review approval; both require a City business license.
Municipal Regulations at a Glance
Oregon (OR)
City of Hillsboro
Oregon Revised Statutes Chapter 90
9.5% for covered standard tenancies
Generally 72 consecutive hours maximum, subject to posted restrictions
Two-hour parking with same-block-face restriction
Private franchised haulers
Weekly
Every other week
Every other week
Heightened attention 9 PM–6 AM; source-specific City Code applies
6 months and older
Housing & Rental Regulations in Hillsboro
1. Oregon Residential Landlord-Tenant Law
Most covered residential rental relationships in Hillsboro are governed by ORS Chapter 90. The statutory framework covers rental agreements, deposits, landlord and tenant duties, access, termination, rent increases, remedies, and other tenancy matters.
2. 2026 Oregon Rent Stabilization
For standard tenancies subject to ORS 90.323, the 2026 maximum annual rent increase is 9.5%, calculated under Oregon’s statutory formula as the lesser of 10% or 7% plus CPI. This is a statewide rule, not a Hillsboro-only cap.
3. Manufactured-Dwelling and Marina Exception
Oregon sets a separate 2026 maximum annual increase of 6% for qualifying tenancies in manufactured-dwelling and marina facilities with more than 30 spaces. This special category should not be applied to ordinary Hillsboro apartments or houses.
4. Just-Cause Termination
Oregon’s statewide landlord-tenant law includes just-cause and termination protections that can apply after the first year of occupancy, with different rules for landlord reasons, tenant violations, qualifying owner occupancy, demolition, substantial repairs, and other statutory circumstances.
5. Rent-Increase Notice
Oregon law generally requires written advance notice for a rent increase and limits the frequency of increases under the statewide rent-stabilization framework. The specific notice period and exemption should be checked under the current ORS Chapter 90 provisions applicable to the tenancy.
6. Security Deposits
Oregon law regulates how residential security deposits are collected, documented, deducted, and returned. Hillsboro does not impose a separate general security-deposit cap that replaces the statewide ORS Chapter 90 rules.
7. Property-Maintenance Enforcement
Hillsboro’s code-enforcement program handles local violations such as abandoned vehicles, unauthorized RV occupancy, neighborhood noise, parking violations, and vacant-property requirements. These local enforcement matters are separate from private lease disputes.
8. Vacant Property Registration
Hillsboro Municipal Code Chapter 6.32 requires owners of abandoned residential property and vacant foreclosed residential property to comply with registration, security, maintenance, and inspection requirements.
9. Housing Rehabilitation Assistance
Hillsboro provides a Housing Rehabilitation Program for eligible low- and moderate-income owner-occupied or renter households. Current FY2026 income limits are based on 80% of the Portland–Vancouver–Hillsboro metropolitan area median income.
10. Short-Term Rental Licensing
Hillsboro defines a short-term rental as a home or portion of a home rented for fewer than 31 consecutive days. Partial-dwelling STRs generally require a permit and owner occupancy, while full-dwelling STRs require Development Review approval. A City business license is required for both.
11. Full-Dwelling STR Limits
A Hillsboro owner may operate no more than two full-dwelling short-term rentals when the City’s eligibility requirements are satisfied. A partial-dwelling STR must remain part of the owner’s primary residence.
12. STRs Cannot Be Event Venues
Hillsboro expressly prohibits using a short-term rental for social events or gatherings whose primary purpose is a party, wedding, reunion, corporate retreat, or similar event.
Street Parking & Permit Rules in Hillsboro
1. 72-Hour Street Parking Rule
Hillsboro generally prohibits leaving a vehicle parked or remaining in place on a City street for more than 72 consecutive hours. Other parking restrictions can impose shorter limits.
2. Downtown Two-Hour Parking
Downtown Hillsboro uses two-hour parking to keep curb spaces circulating. Once the two-hour period expires, a vehicle may not simply be moved to another space on the same block for continued parking; the City describes a same-block-face restriction.
3. Resident Exemption on Two-Hour Streets
Residents who live on streets with two-hour downtown parking may request a permit allowing exemption from the two-hour limit. The City requires vehicle registration and identification showing that the vehicle belongs at the qualifying address.
4. Parking Against Traffic
Hillsboro prohibits parking against the direction of traffic. Vehicles should be parked in the lawful direction and positioned as required by the City’s general parking rules.
5. Curb Distance
City guidance states that vehicles should not be parked more than 18 inches from the curb. The requirement is part of the City’s general parking-enforcement program.
6. Fire Hydrants
Vehicles may not park within 10 feet of a fire hydrant under Hillsboro’s published parking rules.
7. Crosswalks
Hillsboro prohibits parking on or within 20 feet of the approach to a marked or unmarked crosswalk at an intersection.
8. Fire Stations
Parking is restricted within 15 feet of the entrance to a fire station on the same side of the street and within 75 feet on the opposite side under the City’s published parking guidance.
9. Vehicle Repairs on Public Streets
Hillsboro prohibits using a public street for repairing, washing, greasing, or selling a vehicle except for qualifying emergency repairs. This is especially relevant when moving into a house with limited off-street parking.
10. RV and Trailer Storage
Parking compliance also intersects with Hillsboro’s RV and trailer rules. In particular, the City prohibits living or sleeping in an RV or trailer on ordinary residential property or a public street unless the location is specifically designated for overnight camping.
Trash, Recycling & Waste Collection
1. Private Franchised Waste Haulers
The City of Hillsboro does not provide garbage and recycling collection. Six private franchised waste companies operate within the City under the municipal franchise system.
2. Standard Weekly Garbage
The current Hillsboro residential rate structure includes weekly garbage collection. Residents select a garbage-cart size, and the City approves the rates that the franchised haulers charge within their service territories.
3. Every-Other-Week Recycling
Standard residential curbside recycling is collected every other week. The City’s current rate schedule separately identifies recycling as a component of the bundled residential service.
4. Every-Other-Week Yard Debris
Standard residential yard-debris collection is every other week. Collection is address-specific and appears in the Washington County Garbage & Recycling Day tool.
5. Food Scraps With Yard Debris
Residential customers with yard-debris service can place food scraps into the yard-debris roll cart. Hillsboro’s program permits food scraps including meat, bones, dairy, fruits, and vegetables to be composted together with yard debris.
6. Contamination Charges
The current Hillsboro rate schedule allows contamination charges when garbage is found in the recycling cart or non-yard-debris material is found in the yard-debris cart. Residents should therefore keep the three waste streams separated.
7. Extra Recycling
Additional recycling carts are currently available without a separate monthly charge under the residential rate schedule. Extra recycling that does not fit can be placed beside the cart when properly prepared, subject to the hauler’s collection rules.
8. Weather Service Interruptions
Severe weather, including snow, ice, extreme heat, or hazardous-air-quality days, can interrupt normal collection. When service is missed because of weather, Hillsboro states that collection is generally shifted to the following day or the next regular schedule according to the duration of the interruption.
9. Find the Assigned Hauler
Washington County’s Garbage & Recycling Day tool allows residents to enter the Hillsboro address and identify the collection schedule and assigned garbage/recycling company. This is more reliable than assuming one hauler serves the entire City.
10. Commercial Service Differs
Commercial properties have a separate rate structure and collection pattern. Current commercial service includes weekly garbage, every-other-week recycling, and every-other-week yard debris and compost, so commercial service should not be mixed into residential guidance.
Quiet Hours & Noise Ordinances
1. Hillsboro Municipal Code §6.24.010
Hillsboro prohibits making, assisting in making, allowing, or perpetuating any unauthorized, disturbing, or unnecessary noise. City Code Compliance specifically highlights the period between 9:00 PM and 6:00 AM when advising residents about noise levels.
2. Not a Blanket 10 PM–7 AM Rule
The original 10:00 PM–7:00 AM statement should not be used as the complete Hillsboro noise rule. The City’s current public guidance identifies 9:00 PM–6:00 AM as the period when residents should be especially aware of noise, while the ordinance also contains exemptions and source-specific provisions.
3. Noise Exemptions
Hillsboro Municipal Code §6.24.050 contains exemptions to the general prohibition. A noise complaint should therefore be evaluated against the full code and the source of the sound rather than assuming every loud activity is prohibited.
4. Construction and Work Noise
Construction, maintenance, and other work can be regulated as disturbing or unnecessary noise. Permitting requirements may also apply to activities in the public right-of-way or to special events, and the City should be consulted when work will create recurring neighborhood noise.
5. Amplified Sound
Amplified music or other sound equipment can constitute disturbing or unnecessary noise when it affects neighboring properties. The applicable rule depends on the circumstances and any exemption rather than a single citywide decibel number stated in this summary.
6. RV Occupancy and Noise
Hillsboro separately prohibits living, sleeping, or residing in an RV or trailer on ordinary lots or public streets unless the location is designated for overnight camping. RV-related complaints can therefore involve both noise and unlawful occupancy provisions.
7. Parking and Noise Can Overlap
Vehicle activity can create both parking and noise violations. Hillsboro prohibits certain vehicle repair activity on public streets, while unnecessary vehicle-generated noise can be reviewed separately under Chapter 6.24.
8. Block-Party Sound
A Hillsboro block party that temporarily closes a residential public street requires a Special Event Permit. Permitted activities may occur from 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM, but sound amplification is not permitted after 10:00 PM under the current City guidelines.
Pet Licensing & Animal Ordinances
1. Dog License at Six Months
Washington County requires all dogs six months and older to be licensed. The County instructs owners to license a dog when it reaches six months of age or gets its permanent canine teeth, whichever occurs first.
2. License After Moving
A dog owner moving into Washington County generally must purchase a license within 30 days of moving to the County when the dog is already old enough to be licensed.
3. License Immediately After Acquisition
When an owner acquires a dog that is already old enough to be licensed, Washington County requires licensing immediately rather than waiting for the ordinary 30-day moving period.
4. Current Rabies Vaccination
A Washington County dog license is not valid until the County receives proof of a current rabies vaccination. The rabies certificate should be retained and supplied with the licensing application when required.
5. Current Licensing Options
Washington County currently offers one-, two-, and three-year licenses. Current fees are $34/$56/$78 for spayed or neutered dogs and $56/$104/$150 for intact dogs, with discounted rates for qualifying owners age 65 or older with an altered dog.
6. Replacement and Late Fees
The current County fee schedule lists a $5 replacement license-tag fee and a $15 late fee when the license is 30 days or more past its expiration date.
7. DocuPet Licensing
Washington County Animal Services now uses DocuPet for online dog licensing. New and renewed licenses include a standard license tag and DocuPet’s free HomeSafe lost-pet service.
8. Cats Do Not Require County Licenses
Washington County’s current animal-services guidance states that all dogs must be licensed, while other pets are not required to have a County license. Cat rabies and animal-welfare requirements still apply where required by law.
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Relocation Navigation
Frequently Asked Relocation Questions
1. Does Hillsboro have a local rent-control or relocation-assistance program?
Hillsboro does not have a Portland-style general renter-relocation program in the local sources reviewed. Covered residential rent increases are primarily controlled by Oregon law; for standard covered tenancies, the 2026 statewide maximum annual increase is 9.5%.
2. Can I park a car on a Hillsboro street for 72 hours?
Generally, Hillsboro prohibits leaving a vehicle parked or remaining on a City street for more than 72 consecutive hours, but shorter posted restrictions can apply. Downtown two-hour parking has an additional same-block-face rule.
3. Who collects trash in Hillsboro?
The City does not provide the collection service itself. Six private franchised haulers provide garbage and recycling service, and the assigned hauler can be identified through Washington County’s address-based Garbage & Recycling Day tool.
4. How often does Hillsboro collect recycling and yard debris?
The standard residential program provides weekly garbage but every-other-week curbside recycling and every-other-week yard-debris collection. Food scraps can be placed in the yard-debris cart where that service is provided.
5. Does Hillsboro have 10 PM to 7 AM quiet hours?
That is not an accurate complete summary. Hillsboro Code §6.24.010 prohibits unauthorized, disturbing, or unnecessary noise, and City guidance specifically tells residents to be aware of noise between 9:00 PM and 6:00 AM. Exemptions and source-specific rules also apply.
6. At what age does a dog need a Hillsboro-area license?
Washington County requires all dogs six months and older to be licensed. Current rabies vaccination is required for the license to be valid, and Hillsboro residents use the County’s dog-licensing program.