ORS § 90 § 90.405
Effect of tenant keeping unpermitted pet.
Operative Text
(1) If the tenant, in violation of the rental agreement, keeps on the premises a pet capable of causing damage to persons or property, the landlord may deliver a written notice specifying the violation and stating that the tenancy will terminate upon a date not less than 10 days after the delivery of the notice unless the tenant removes the pet from the premises prior to the termination date specified in the notice. If the pet is not removed by the date specified, the tenancy shall terminate and the landlord may take possession in the manner provided in ORS 105.100 to 105.168. (2) For purposes of this section, “a pet capable of causing damage to persons or property” means an animal that, because of the nature, size or behavioral characteristics of that particular animal or of that breed or type of animal generally, a reasonable person might consider to be capable of causing personal injury or property damage, including but not limited to, water damage from medium or larger sized fish tanks or other personal injury or property damage arising from the environment in which the animal is kept. (3) If substantially the same act that constituted a prior noncompliance of which notice was given under subsection (1) of this section recurs within six months, the landlord may terminate the rental agreement upon at least 10 days’ written notice specifying the breach and the date of termination of the rental agreement. (4) This section shall not apply to any tenancy governed by ORS 90.505 to 90.850.
Oregon Revised Statutes § 90.405 addresses what happens when a tenant keeps a pet on rental premises without permission, specifically when that pet is capable of causing damage to people or property. Under this rule, a landlord may issue a written notice giving the tenant at least 10 days to remove the pet before the tenancy terminates. If the same type of violation recurs within six months of a prior notice, the landlord may again issue at least 10 days' written notice to terminate the tenancy. The provision does not apply to tenancies covered under the manufactured dwelling and floating home park statutes (ORS 90.505–90.850).
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under ORS § 90.405, compliant operators who discover an unauthorized pet that meets the 'capable of causing damage' standard generally document the violation and deliver a written notice that clearly identifies the pet, cites the lease provision violated, and states a termination date no fewer than 10 days out. If the tenant removes the pet before that date, the tenancy continues; if not, the landlord may pursue possession through the process outlined in ORS 105.100 to 105.168. Operators also typically keep records of prior notices, since a recurrence of substantially the same violation within six months allows for a second termination notice on the same 10-day timeline.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
ORS § 90.405 gives tenants a meaningful opportunity to cure an unauthorized-pet violation by removing the animal before the termination date stated in the landlord's written notice. If you receive such a notice, the notice itself must specify the violation and the deadline, and the pet must qualify as one 'capable of causing damage to persons or property' under the statute's definition — a standard that involves a reasonable-person assessment of the animal's nature, size, or behavioral characteristics. Tenants who believe a notice was improperly issued or that their animal does not meet that definition may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider familiar with Oregon landlord-tenant law for general information about available options.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 7, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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