Springfield, OR Homelessness & Encampment Rules: Sit-Lie Rules (2026)

Springfield Municipal Code section 5.130, added by Ordinance No. 6459 in 2023, is the city's operative homelessness related public space ordinance, and it works through a camping prohibition rather than a bare sit or lie rule. Section 5.130(1) defines camping broadly to include pitching or occupying camp materials, tents, tarps, sleeping bags, or bedding, for occupancy, habitation, or sheltering for survival in a way that facilitates sleeping or storing belongings. Under section 5.130(2), no established campsite, meaning camp materials left in place for 24 hours or more, is permitted anywhere in the city.

Section 5.130(3)(a) bars camping on city property at all times, subject to the city manager's discretion to designate limited camping areas, and (3)(b) separately bans camping in residential zones, the downtown exception area, riparian corridors, stormwater facilities, vehicle or bicycle lanes, within 1,000 feet of an approved emergency shelter, and in any public park or multi use path. Most relevant to sidewalks, section 5.130(3)(b)(v) bans camping anywhere it creates a physical impediment to emergency or non-emergency ingress, egress or access to property on public sidewalks or other public rights of way.

Even where camping is otherwise allowed, section 5.130(4)(a) separately requires that individuals and their camp materials not obstruct sidewalk accessibility or passage, clear vision, fire hydrants, or interfere with pedestrian, bicycle, or vehicle passage, and further manner rules under section 5.130(4) bar open flames, dumping wastewater, unauthorized utility taps, and building permanent structures. Enforcement sits with the city manager, who under section 5.130(5)(a) can modify or suspend enforcement during a declared emergency or for weather, and violations of subsections (1) through (4) are punishable as non-criminal offenses with a fine of up to $720 under SMC section 1.205.