Trespass Letter of Consent
This program is only for Businesses/Commercial Properties within the City limits of Eugene.
This program does not include residential homes, duplexes, triplexes, etc. The program is designed to cover business/commercial properties that, although private, might be misconstrued as being open for public use (e.g. parking lots, shared spaces in apartment complexes, business front porches/private walkways, etc.).
**For residential properties, a Trespass Letter is not required to file a trespassing complaint. It is only required that either the owner/tenant asks the person to leave the premises and they fail to do so, or they tell the person to not enter the property and they do so. The owner/tenant should be willing to act as the complainant, by contacting EPD Non-Emergency at 541-682-5111 to report the incident.**
WHAT IS A TRESPASS LETTER OF CONSENT? HOW WILL IT BE USEFUL TO ME?
A Trespass Letter of Consent (TLC) is a specifically worded, legal document which allows a police officer to take enforcement action, on your behalf, without contacting you first. A Trespass Letter of Consent will be valid for two years from the date of submission.
Police officers do not have the authority to go onto private property and remove individuals or request them to leave without the consent of the property owner. If an officer observes someone on private property, when the business is closed, or a problem is called in by someone who does not have the authority to sign a trespass complaint, EPD must then contact the person who is legally responsible for the property. A Trespass Letter of Consent gives Eugene Police officers permission to act on the property owner’s/manager’s behalf, in trespass situations.
Officers who observe trespassers on private business/commercial property can then immediately address the problem, rather than be delayed in acting or be unable to take action at all.
WHAT IS THE LAW REGARDING TRESPASSING IN EUGENE?
A person commits the crime of Criminal Trespass if the person enters or remains unlawfully in or upon a premises when such premises is not open to the public, or the person fails to leave premises that are open to the public after being lawfully directed to do so by the person responsible for that location. (Posting your property with "No Trespassing" signs, fulfills the requirement to tell trespassers not to access the property. See below)
WHAT ELSE DO I NEED TO DO?
In addition to filing the trespass letter, your property must be posted with "No Trespassing" signs. These signs should not include any language directed at loitering as there is no law that can be enforced regarding loitering at this time.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
Should an officer respond to your property, he/she will be notified by dispatch if there is a Trespass Letter of Consent filed on the property. Once the letter has been confirmed, the officer will take the appropriate action.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I CHANGE MY MIND OR SELL MY PROPERTY?
You may revoke your Trespass Letter of Consent at any time. Simply notify us of your wishes in writing Email and your letter will be removed from the records. Although trespass letters are valid for two years, if the status of the property changes in any way, we ask that you notify us as soon as possible.
To submit a Trespass Letter of Consent: Trespass Letter Application
If you have any additional questions, please contact Program Manager Harlow Meno or call 541-682-5642.