Legal Department Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the City Attorney and what does the Attorney do?

Tualatin's City Attorney is Sean Brady. He can be reached by phone at (503) 691-3015.

The City Attorney prepares or reviews contracts, ordinances, and other legal documents; codifies the Municipal and Development Codes; represents the City and assorted Commissions in various courts and land use appeals; and monitors all cases against the City and Commission involving outside counsel.

Who is Tualatin's Paralegal and what does the Paralegal do?

The City of Tualatin's Paralegal is Linda Odermott. She can be reached by phone at (503) 691-3016.

The Paralegal provides support and public service for the department including: legal research and writing; ordinance drafting; code codification and coordination; litigation support; and general administrative duties under the direct supervision of the City Attorney. The paralegal provides front counter service to the public and provides assistance to Administration as needed.

Why can't the City Attorney give me legal advice?

The law prohibits the City Attorney from giving private legal advice to citizens. The City Attorney is responsible for providing accurate and timely legal advice and assistance to the City of Tualatin, a political subdivision of the State of Oregon, its Council, City Manager, staff and employees. If you need private legal advice, the Oregon State Bar has a lawyer referral service. The referral service number is (503) 684-3763.

Can I have chickens, goats, or other agricultural animals within the City limits?

Some agricultural animals are allowed under conditional use only in a few specified locations of the City. The type of animals and the locations are defined in the Tualatin Development Code (TDC) 40.030 (4)(i) and Map 9-6. TDC 40.020(2) defines allowed animals in Residential Districts as "household pets." Examples of these pets are: cats, dogs, guinea pigs, etc... The map should help you determine if your property is in the area designated for the Conditional Use of Agricultural Animals.

Can other people park their cars in front of my home?

Anyone can park on a public right-of-way, unless parking is prohibited by City ordinance, including in front of your home. However, the vehicle may only remain in that spot for 72 hours or less. Refer to the FAQ "How long can a vehicle park on the street?" for more information.

How long can a vehicle park on the street?

The City ordinance requires vehicles to be moved within 72 hours unless the owner has obtained a temporary permit for a longer period. Vehicles left for longer periods of time can be reported to the non-emergency police dispatch number at (503) 629-0111.

What are the noise restrictions in Tualatin?

There are two ordinances that deal with noise in Tualatin. The first is located in Tualatin Municipal Code (TMC) 6-1-210(4) and deals with "unreasonable noise" in a residential area or a noise-sensitive property and include some of the following examples:
The second ordinance is located in Tualatin Development Code (TDC) 63.051 and deals with Industrial noise levels. The noise requirements for Industrial noise is governed by the Oregon State Department of Environmental Quality standards except:

• A dog or cat that constantly barks or yawls and disturbs the neighbors
• Construction during the quiet time of 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.(except by special permit)
• Playing a stereo or other device, including a car stereo, so loud it can be heard from a 100 feet or more away, between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.(except by special permit)
• Using compression brakes or "jake brakes" on a motor vehicle (except to avoid imminent danger)
• Playing basketball in a residential area after 10:00 p.m. or before 7:00 a.m. (except for school functions)
• Repairing a car in a residential area between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m.
• From 9:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m, a quiet time is in place, with a maximum L-Max of 60 dBA when measured from a noise sensitive property
• The method of measurement shall:
  • with a calibrated sound level meter
  • be conducted by a person trained to do so
  • no more than 25 feet away from the noise sensitive property

What can I do about my neighbor's at-large cat(s)?

Talking to your neighbor first is usually the best approach. Some residents may not know that Tualatin has an ordinance that prohibits animals from running at-large. Let your neighbor know that cats are not free to wander the neighborhood (and are not safe while doing so). If there is a continuing problem, you may contact the Community Resource Officer at cmreynolds [at] ci [dot] tualatin [dot] or [dot] us.

What can I do about my neighbor's barking dog(s)?

Usually it is best to try to talk to your neighbor about the barking. The neighbor may not realize that the dog is bothering you. If talking to your neighbor doesn't resolve the problem, you can call the Washington County Dog Control. They handle all barking dog complaints in Tualatin, even if you live in the Clackamas County portion of the city. You will need to give them the address where the dog is located. Their number is (503)846-7041.

What does the Legal Services Department do for the city?

The Legal Services Department provides a variety of services to the City and the Tualatin Development Commission. Its primary mission is to provide accurate and timely legal advice and assistance to the City Manager, City Council, and City and Commission staffs to limit the city's liability exposure by identifying and addressing legal issues before they become legal problems. To encourage this approach, the City Attorney has an "open door" policy to encourage staff and councilors to ask questions and explore possible solutions. The attorney regularly attends Council and Budget Committee meetings and various in-house meetings to provide legal advice. The City Attorney negotiates the City's franchise agreements and fills in for the City Manager in her absence when requested.

Where can I find the City Codes?

Both the Tualatin Development Code (zoning and land use) and the Tualatin Municipal Code (general ordinances) are available for viewing online at the links below.

Where can I get help with my landlord/tenant issues?

There are several organizations set up to help you resolve disputes between landlords and tenants. Here are a few:

• Community Alliance of Tenants (503) 288-0130
• Tenant's Advocates of Washington County (503) 648-7723
• Landlord's Association (503) 249-1728
• WCCAO Fair Housing (503) 648-0829
• Oregon State Bar Lawyer Referral Line (503) 684-3763

Where do I go for the traffic ticket I received in Tualatin?

This depends upon which police agency issued the citation. Please check your citation for the name of the court the citation is for. If the citation is for the Tualatin Municipal Court the address is:

18880 SW Martinazzi Ave.
Tualatin, OR 97062
or contact the Municipal Court at (503) 691-3025