Portland Impact Reduction Program rules require posted advance notice before encampment cleanups, on-site sorting of personal property, and at least thirty-day storage of unclaimed belongings at a city storage facility under settlement-based protocols.
Portland's Impact Reduction Program, operated by the Public Environment Management Office, follows posting and storage protocols developed through litigation settlements and ORS 203.077. Before non-emergency encampment cleanups, the city must post written notice at the site at least 72 hours in advance describing the cleanup time and storage location. During cleanup, crews sort personal property, photograph items, and transport unclaimed belongings to a city storage facility for at least thirty days. Owners may reclaim property free of charge. Hazardous waste, soiled materials, and structures the occupants disclaim are discarded.
Improper sweeps without notice or with discarded property can trigger constitutional claims under Lavan v. Los Angeles principles, civil damages, and Multnomah County Circuit Court injunctions blocking future enforcement.
See how Portland's encampment sanitation rules stack up against other locations.
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