Report Concerns
Effective March 12, 2022, concurrent with the lifting of the governor's indoor mask mandate, the City is lifting its temporary stay-in-place order for urban camping. The City's long-standing rules regarding camping may be enforced. However, limited staff capacity necessitates the City prioritize response to unsanctioned camping based on the severity of health, safety and environmental impacts, impediment to right-of-way access, and interference with operation of schools, businesses and shelter sites.
Eugene City Code 4.815 prohibits camping in public right-of-ways, parks and other publicly owned property. The City recognizes this is a very challenging issue and works with local partners toward solutions that balance neighborhood livability, safety, health, and compassionate and humane responses to homelessness.
If you are witnessing an emergency or a crime in progress, call 911.
In Vehicles
Reports of unsanctioned vehicle camping across the community are far greater than staff capacity to respond immediately. Enforcement is contingent on staff availability. City teams prioritize response based on the following factors:
- Vehicle camps or associated materials that pose hazards or block access to sidewalks, paths, ramps, bike lanes or roadways.
- Vehicles associated with Eugene Police Department verified reports of criminal behavior.
- Vehicles in parking spaces restricted by signs, such as No Parking or Commercial Vehicle Only.
- Vehicles with visible human waste, hazardous materials, or other unsafe or unsanitary conditions.
- Vehicles engaged in camping within 50 feet of a school, playground or private residence.
- Vehicles being repaired in the right of way.
- Vehicles that are not operational or unable to be operated legally on the street.
- Vehicles engaged in camping with more than six in a block (both sides of road).
How to Report
For fastest response, file online: Report a Car Camping or Parking Problem or leave a message at 541-682-5729 with the following information:
- Exact Location
- Make/Model/Color/Plate # of vehicle
- Nature of issue
City Response
City personnel will respond as soon as availability allows. They will assess vehicle locations and conditions, attempt to work with the vehicle owners if possible to mitigate and resolve the situation, and then if necessary apply relevant rule enforcement (which can have varying lengths of time as required by law) to resolve the violation, up to and including impound. Unfortunately, in most cases staff capacity does not allow a response back to reporting parties about action taken.
Along Streets/Public Property
Reports of unsanctioned camping on public property across the community are far greater than staff capacity to respond immediately. Enforcement is contingent on staff availability. City teams prioritize response based on the following factors:
- Camps or associated materials that pose hazards or block access to right of ways and public or private property.
- Camps blocking sidewalks or other pedestrian ways (5-foot minimum clear space is required by the Americans with Disabilities Act).
- Camps with visible human waste, hazardous materials, or other unsafe or unsanitary conditions.
- Camps on road surfaces or creating traffic hazards.
- Camps in right-of-way planting strips reported as trespassing (residences, rentals or businesses).
- Camps associated with Eugene Police Department verified reports of criminal behavior.
- Camps negatively impacting stormwater system.
- Camps negatively impacting/damaging public infrastructure.
How to Report
Non-emergency camping concerns can be reported online by using the Request for Service Form (using the drop-down menu for type of request, select "Camping in the Right of Way"). Questions about the City’s response to homelessness, available services for unhoused people, or other general topics unrelated to specific concerns can be emailed to: UnhousedServices@Eugene-or.gov.
City Response
City personnel will respond as soon as availability allows. Per Oregon law (HB 3124) established camping sites must receive a 72-hour notice before removal, except in rare cases involving (non-camping) criminal activity or major health and safety hazards. Staff will assess camp situations, attempt the most expedient resolution, connect outreach staff or service providers when possible, and if necessary post the camp for removal. Following removal of a campsite, area cleanup is performed as quickly as resources are available. Personal property is stored in accordance with state law. Unfortunately, in most cases staff capacity does not allow a response back to reporting parties about action taken.
In Parks
Camping is not allowed in parks, by Parks and Open Space Rules.
How to Report
Camping in parks can be reported online through Park Watch or by calling 541-682-4800 – Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
City Response
In response to established camping sites, staff provide a 72-hour warning (per state law) and will return no sooner than 72 hours to clean the site unless there are illegal activities other than camping occurring, and/or an exceptional emergency including but not limited to possible site contamination by hazardous materials, a public health emergency or other immediate danger to human life or safety. In these cases, camping will be addressed sooner than 72 hours. Following removal of a campsite, area cleanup is performed as quickly as resources are available. Personal property is stored in accordance with state law. Parks staff will direct non-established camps to cease camping activity upon discovery.
For Property Owners
How to Report
You can report trespassing on your property by calling Eugene Police non-emergency at 541-682-5111 or by calling 911 if it is an emergency. You can also post no trespassing signs on your property and file a Trespass Letter of Consent with the Eugene Police Department.
How We Respond
Eugene Police respond to calls regarding Criminal Trespass.
For Non-Property Owners
How to Report
File a nuisance complaint through the City's Code Compliance program.
How We Respond
Code Compliance will investigate and respond if warranted. They may involve Eugene Police as necessary.
Allowable Camping Options
Recognizing the housing and homelessness crisis that our community and cities across the nation are facing, the City Council has approved specific provisions through City Code 4.816 for permitted overnight sleeping. These provisions provide more options for people who are experiencing homelessness to find safe and legal places to sleep.
Options include: