Eugene, OR Homelessness & Encampment Rules: Encampment Sanitation (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- EC 4.815(3)
- Standard fine
- Up to $200
- Willful repeat fine
- Up to $500 or 10 days jail
- School buffer
- 1,000 feet
- Waterway buffer
- 100 feet from top of high bank
- Sidewalk clearance
- 48 inches minimum
Summary
Eugene bars camping on specific categories of public property under EC 4.815: streets and parking areas, sidewalks and paths that need clearance for disabled access, land near the Willamette River and waterways, and land within 1,000 feet of a school, library or daycare. Ordinary violations draw a $200 fine; willful repeat violations reach $500 and possible vehicle impoundment.
(3) No person shall camp in or upon the following publicly owned property: (a) Property that is primarily intended for and used by motor vehicles, including but not limited to, the portion of the street between the curbs; (b) Publicly owned parking lots and on-street parking spaces; ... (f) For the Willamette River and all other open waterways, property located within 100 feet of top of high bank; and property within 5 feet of ditches, wetlands, and vegetative stormwater quality facilities... (g) Property within 1000 feet of an educational facility. For purposes of this section, “educational facility” means a public library or a building owned, leased or under the control of a public or private school system, college, university, or licensed daycare or preschool.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 20739, passed June 8, 2026).
Full Breakdown
815(3) lists seven categories of publicly owned property where camping is banned outright: land primarily used by motor vehicles, including the street between the curbs; public parking lots and on-street spaces; traffic buffers like islands and parking strips unless there's at least 60 inches between the campsite and traffic; sidewalks, accessways and shared-use paths where a campsite would cut clear width below the ADA/FHWA minimums (48 inches for sidewalks, 120 inches for accessways and shared-use paths); property that blocks a building's entrance, exit, ramp or stairs; land within 100 feet of the top of the high bank along the Willamette River and other open waterways, or within 5 feet of ditches, wetlands and stormwater facilities; and any property within 1,000 feet of a school, library, college, university, or licensed daycare or preschool.
The code defines 'campsite' broadly, covering any place set up to live temporarily using a tent, tarp, lean-to, shack, pallet, or a vehicle or part of one. The city council may exempt a specific special event from these bans by motion. 815 restricts, remains prohibited.
Violations & Fines
A standard EC 4.815 violation is punishable by a fine of up to $200. A 'willful violation,' meaning the person camped again within 30 days after already receiving a citation or a peace officer's written warning for the same conduct, carries a steeper fine of up to $500, up to ten days in jail, or both, and the city may immobilize or impound any vehicle used in that willful violation under EC 5.693 to 5.705.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where exactly is camping banned in Eugene?
What's the penalty for a first camping violation?
Is Eugene's camping ban the same as its permitted overnight sleeping program?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Eugene
Compare Eugene to another location·View the Oregon homelessness & encampment rules overview
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