Information on Prohibited Camping
Homelessness is a challenging issue that communities across the country are struggling with. Its causes are diverse, and include complex issues such as mental health and addiction, housing affordability, domestic violence, and shortage of shelter space.
Please see the FAQs below to review Sandy's regulations regarding camping, and processes for reporting unauthorized camping on public and private property.
On June 21, 2022 the City Council adopted Ordinance 2022-12: Camping Prohibited in Certain Places.
Key provisions of Ordinance 2022-12 include:
Sec. 8.35.020. - Prohibited camping.
- A. Except as expressly authorized by the Sandy Municipal Code, it is unlawful at all times for any persons to camp on the following:
- i. All city parks, trails, and areas designated as parks and open space (POS) under SMC chapter 17.32.
- ii. All areas designated as flood, slope, and hazard areas under SMC Chapter 17.60;
- iii. Any area on a sidewalk, unless the camping is done in a manner that maintains a clear, continuous sidewalk width of at least five feet;
- iv. All real property upon which city facilities are located;
- v. All city owned parking lots;
- vi. All public property located within an area zoned for residential use under SMC Title 17; and
- vii. All publicly owned property located along and between Proctor Avenue and Pioneer Avenue, and along Pleasant Street between Bluff Road and Ten Eyck Road.
- B. Except as expressly authorized by the Sandy Municipal Code, it shall be unlawful for any person to camp in the city during the hours of 6:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
- C. Except as expressly authorized by the Sandy Municipal Code, it shall be unlawful for any individual to store more than 5 cubic feet of personal property, including camp facilities and camp paraphernalia, on city property during the hours of 6:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
- D. Notwithstanding the provisions of this chapter, the City Council may temporarily authorize camping or storage of personal property on city property by written order that specifies the period of time and location:
- i. In the event of emergency circumstances;
- ii. In conjunction with a special event permit; or
- iii. Upon finding it to be in the public interest and consistent with council goals and policies.
- E. The City Manager may adopt administrative rules to implement any of the provisions of this chapter.
Sec. 8.35.030 - Violation—Penalties and enforcement.
- A. Violation of this chapter is a Class “D” violation per ORS Chapter 153. Each day that a violation occurs will be considered a separate offense.
- B. In addition to any other penalties that may be imposed, violation of this chapter shall constitute a public nuisance and may be abated in accordance with ORS 202.077 and 203.079.
Homelessness affects our whole community in many different ways and the City is committed to finding positive solutions for everyone. Below is some information about who to call and what to expect from the City in response to reports about camping in undesignated areas:
Campsites on Public Property:
If you come across a campsite in an undesignated area or trash that needs to be cleaned up, please call the Sandy Police Department non-emergency dispatch line at 503-655-8211 to report the issue.
If the camp is inhabited, please do not engage or make contact with those camping. This is for your safety and for the safety of those camping.
Once a report has been received, the Sandy Police Department will then determine next steps for handling the situation in line with current legal requirements. These next steps could include:
- Site visit from the Sandy Police Department Homelessness Liaison Officer
- Problem-solving the issue with the campsite occupants and referral to relevant social services
- As a last resort, possible enforcement actions such as posting a site for cleanup, and citations for trespassing, littering, etc.
What does it mean to "post" a campsite?
When we post a campsite for cleanup, a formal notice is issued to the occupant(s) that camping at that particular location is prohibited. This process gives the person(s) a chance to clean up and leave the site on their own.
After the time period of the "post" has expired, the site is revisited by the police department and the occupants are required to leave at that point if they have not already.
PLEASE NOTE: In locations that belong to ODOT, the City must follow ODOT camp posting requirements which allow for cleanup of belongings no sooner than 10 days and no later than 19 days from the date the site is posted for cleanup. There are some exceptions that would allow for cleanup within 24 hours, but those are reserved for severe situations.
If there is an emergency situation, please call 9-1-1
Homelessness affects our whole community in many different ways and the City is committed to finding positive solutions for everyone. Below is some information about who to call and what to expect from the City in response to reports about camping on private property.
Campsites on Private Property:
If you come across a campsite on your private property please call the Sandy Police Department non-emergency dispatch line at 503-655-8211 to report the issue.
If the camp is inhabited, please do not engage or make contact with those camping. This is for your safety and for the safety of those camping.
Once a report has been received, the process for the Sandy Police Department looks different than with camping issues on public property:
- The police department can trespass and remove camp site occupants without a 24 hour waiting period
- The department will still try to provide assistance and resource referrals to those experiencing homelessness
If there is an emergency situation, please call 9-1-1
Oregon passed a new law (HB 3115) in 2021 to require that local governments may only adopt policies that are “objectively reasonable” when dealing with the use of public property by people experiencing homelessness. Local laws dealing with “sitting, lying, sleeping or keeping warm and dry outdoors on public property must be objectively reasonable … with regards to persons experiencing homelessness.”
Cities have until July 1, 2023 to update their ordinances to be in compliance with HB 3115.
The Legislature passed this law to permanently codify a recent 9th Circuit Court ruling, known as Martin v. Boise, which held that cities cannot enforce anti-camping ordinances if they do not have sufficient homeless shelter beds available for individuals experiencing homelessness.
"Sit-lie" policies have been used in the past to try and prevent people from sitting or lying on public sidewalks. Such policies were ruled unconstitutional by a US District Court decision in Anderson v. City of Portland.
