The interaction of incident monochromatic waves with a bottom-mounted vertical porous circular cylinder is investigated using the framework of the three-dimensional linear potential theory. The porosity of the circular cylinder is uniform vertically but varies in the circumferential direction. By adjusting the porosities of the circular cylinder, both the wave blocking performance of a porous semi-circular breakwater and the wave responses inside a circular harbor with an entrance are applied as calculation examples. It is found that the reflected waves, wave run-up, and wave forces are significantly reduced due to wall porosity, which are positive factors for a breakwater, and the amplification factor of a circular harbor at resonant frequencies is greatly reduced by a porous sidewall.