Camping Regulations

The City of Tualatin adopted new camping regulations on June 26, 2023, to comply with state and federal laws. These regulations allow outdoor camping on public property when specific time, place, and manner regulations are followed.

Time

Camping prohibited between 7am and 7pm. 

Place

Camping prohibited in:

  • City-owned or maintained parking lots.
  • Within 500 feet of schools, freeway entrances/exits.
  • Within 20 feet of a building.
  • Natural Resource Protection Overlay, Wetland Protected Areas, Natural Areas, greenways, and landscaped areas.
  • Public right-of-way and railroad right-of-way.
  • Municipal grounds and the Library Plaza.
  • City Parks.

View a map of where camping is allowed. 

Manner

  • May not accumulate, discard, or leave behind trash, graywater, etc.
  • May not dig, excavate, erect/install fixtures, harm vegetation.
  • May not obstruct or attach camp materials to public infrastructure or private property structures.
  • Campsite must be limited to 12 feet by 12 feet and may not be within 10 feet of another campsite.
  • No unauthorized connections to electrical outlets or other utilities. 
  • May not start or maintain a fire.
  • May not create a physical impairment to emergency ingress or egress. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Are fires allowed in campsites? What will happen with trash and waste?

No. Fires are not allowed in campsites. Campers are not allowed to leave behind trash, bodily fluids or waste, or hazardous materials. 

Category: Implementing HB 3115
Does the ordinance apply to private property?

No. Private property owners are not subject to this ordinance. Private property owners do not have to allow anyone to enter or remain on their property. Someone who enters or remains on private property without the permission of a person in charge of the property is trespassing. 

Category: Implementing HB 3115
How will this camping ordinance be enforced?

The Tualatin Police Department handles the enforcement of this ordinance. Our Department will educate people about the ordinance, available resources, and supportive services and ensure as much as possible that people have access to those resources and services. 

If you observe someone camping in an area that is prohibited, please call our non-emergency dispatch line at 503-629-0111. 

Category: Implementing HB 3115
Is the City of Tualatin setting up a homeless camp?

No. State and federal law now provide that when there is no alternative shelter available for a person experiencing homelessness, it is illegal for Oregon cities and counties to punish the person for camping on public property. We are creating time, place, and manner regulations that would apply in those situations. 

Category: Implementing HB 3115
Where can I find information on shelter?

If you are located in Washington County, please contact Community Connect at 503-640-3263. 

If you are located in Clackamas County, please contact Coordinated Housing Access at 503-655-8575. 

The closest resource center and overnight shelter to Tualatin is Just Compassion in Tigard. Just Compassion can be reached at 503-624-4666. 

Category: Implementing HB 3115
Why did the City Council adopt new regulations?

Two recent decisions out of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals (Martin v. Boise and Johnson v. City of Grants Pass) held that a governmental entity cannot “criminalize conduct that is an unavoidable consequence of being homeless – namely sitting, lying, or sleeping” under the Eighth Amendment to the Constitution. In addition, individuals similarly must be permitted to take minimal measures to keep warm and dry while sleeping.

In 2021, the Oregon Legislature passed HB 3115 (codified as ORS 195.530), which requires any regulation of sitting, lying, sleeping, or keeping warm and dry outdoors on public property that is open to the public to be objectively reasonable as to time, place, and manner prior to July 1, 2023.

Previously, camping was not allowed in the City of Tualatin. The Tualatin City Council adopted new regulations to be compliant with the new state and federal laws.  

Category: Implementing HB 3115
Will I start seeing huge camps in Tualatin?

The draft ordinance includes place regulations that prohibit camping on most public property, including City parks, sidewalks, along the river, and on trails throughout the City. The draft ordinance limits outdoor camping on public property to one lot on SW Tualatin Rd adjacent to the Police Department. 

The ordinance restricts the size of campsites to 12 ft x 12 ft and requires a 10 ft buffer between campsites. 

Category: Implementing HB 3115

Supporting Documents

PDF icon View a map of where camping allowed (358 KB)
PDF icon View this information in a brochure (458 KB)

Web Links

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