Albany, OR Homelessness & Encampment Rules: Encampment Sanitation (2026)

The Albany camping regulations sit in Chapter 7.20 of the Albany Municipal Code and apply to all public property and public right-of-way in the City. Section 7.20.030 defines camping as pitching, erecting, creating, using, or occupying camp facilities for the purpose of habitation, as evidenced by the use of camp paraphernalia. Camp facilities include tents, huts, temporary shelters, motor vehicles, and recreational vehicles. Paraphernalia includes tarpaulins, cots, sleeping bags, blankets, mattresses, hammocks, and outdoor cooking devices or utensils. Public property covers city-owned, leased, or managed land, and public right-of-way reaches sidewalks, trails, paths, alleys, and bridges. The chapter says it is to be interpreted consistent with state statutes and the protections they require.

The ban in § 7.20.035 is conditional. It applies when the person has access to reasonable alternate shelter, has means to acquire it, or was offered, rejected, or disqualified from it, and reasonable is judged on the totality of the circumstances. Section 7.20.040 carves out permitted camping: under a city manager emergency declaration, or on publicly owned property the city manager designates when no alternate shelter is available. On designated property each camp can occupy no more than 12 feet by 12 feet, each individual can control a single camp, occupants must work with local service providers toward housing, keep all items inside the camping facility, and keep the camp clean, sanitary, and safe.

Fire and utilities are tightly limited. Without prior approval from the Albany fire chief or a designee, campsites cannot have open flame, propane, flammable or combustible liquid, a heat producing appliance, or smoking and vaping (§ 7.20.045). No utilities can be connected to a camping facility (§ 7.20.050). Storing personal property on public property or in the right-of-way is unlawful except as the code expressly authorizes (§ 7.20.055).

Cleanup follows a posting protocol. Under § 7.20.060, the city manager or a designee schedules cleanup of permitted campsites, the property is posted under ORS 195.500 beforehand, and the location of other reasonable alternate shelter is provided. Prohibited campsites are posted and cleaned under ORS 195.500. Debris and garbage that are clearly discarded can be removed without posting, and the city manager or designee is expected to use objectively reasonable discretion when it is unclear whether items are discarded. Section 7.28.245 separately requires the parks and recreation director's written authorization to camp in a park, with a fine not to exceed $100.