ORS 195.870
Battery-charged fence
- preemption of local laws
(1)
As used in this section:(a)
“Alarm system” means any electrical, mechanical or electronic device or sensor used to prevent, detect or alert law enforcement or occupants of burglary, theft, or intrusion of a structure or a vehicle used as a commercial structure.(b)
“Battery-charged fence” means a fence that interfaces with an alarm system in a manner that enables the fence to cause the connected alarm system to transmit a signal intended to summon law enforcement in response to an intrusion and has an energizer that is driven by battery.(c)
“IEC standards” means the standards set by the International Electrotechnical Commission as most recently published on or before January 1, 2021.(2)
A battery-charged fence:(a)
Must use a battery that is not more than 12 volts of direct current;(b)
Must produce an electric charge on contact that does not exceed energizer characteristics set for electric fence energizers by IEC standards;(c)
Must be surrounded by a nonelectric perimeter fence or wall that is not less than five feet in height;(d)
May not be higher than the greater of 10 feet in height or two feet higher than the height of the nonelectric perimeter fence or wall; and(e)
Must be marked with conspicuous warning signs that are located on the fence at not more than 30-foot intervals and that read: “WARNING: ELECTRIC FENCE.”(3)
Except as required by state building code, a local government, as defined in ORS 197.015 (Definitions for ORS chapters 195, 196, 197 and 197A), may not adopt or enforce any ordinance, land use regulation or building code for property not zoned or used for residential use that:(a)
Prohibits the installation or use of a battery-charged fence.(b)
Imposes installation or operational requirements inconsistent with IEC standards or this section for an alarm system or battery-charged fence.(c)
Requires a permit for the installation or use of a battery-charged fence that is additional to an alarm system permit issued by the local government. [2022 c.3 §1]
Source:
Section 195.870 — Battery-charged fence; preemption of local laws, https://www.oregonlegislature.gov/bills_laws/ors/ors195.html (accessed May 26, 2025).