Camping Regulations

Camping regulations were adopted in 2023 to comply with state and federal laws. The regulations allow for outdoor camping on public property when an individual is without available shelter and when specific time, place, and manner regulations are followed.

Empty grassy field
Camping allowed on lot adjacent to the Tualatin Police Department

Time

Camping is prohibited between 7am and 7pm.

Place

Camping is prohibited in:

  • City-owned or maintained parking lots.
  • Within 500 feet of schools and freeway entrances/exits.
  • Within 20 feet of a building.
  • Natural Resource Protection Overlay, Wetland Protected Areas, Natural Areas, greenways, and landscaped areas.
  • Public right-of-way and railroad right-of-way.
  • Municipal grounds and the Library Plaza.
  • City parks.
    View a map of where camping is allowed PDF

    Manner

    • May not accumulate, discard, or leave behind trash, graywater, etc.
    • May not dig, excavate, erect/install fixtures, harm vegetation.
    • May not obstruct or attach camp materials to public infrastructure or private property structures.
    • Campsite must be limited to 12 feet by 12 feet and may not be within 10 feet of another campsite.
    • No unauthorized connections to electrical outlets or other utilities.
    • May not start or maintain a fire.
    • May not create a physical impairment to emergency ingress or egress.

    Contact Us

    Megan Cohen

    Homelessness City/County Liaison
    megan.cohen@tigard-or.gov

    Printable Brochure

    Camping Regulations Brochure, July 2023 PDF

    Frequently Asked Questions

    No. Fires are not allowed in campsites. Campers are not allowed to leave behind trash, bodily fluids or waste, or hazardous materials.

    No. Private property owners are not subject to this ordinance. Private property owners do not have to allow anyone to enter or remain on their property. Someone who enters or remains on private property without the permission of a person in charge of the property is trespassing.

    The Tualatin Police Department handles the enforcement of this ordinance. Our Department will educate people about the ordinance, available resources, and supportive services.

    If you observe someone camping in an area that is prohibited, please call our non-emergency line at (503) 629-0111.

    If you are located in Washington County, contact Community Connect at (503) 640-3263. If you are located in Clackamas County, contact Coordinated Housing Access at (503) 655-8575. The closest access center is at Just Compassion in Tigard (12280 SW Hall Blvd, Portland, OR 97223). For more information, visit this page.

    In 2021, the Oregon Legislature passed HB 3115 (codified as ORS 195.530), which requires any regulation of sitting, lying, sleeping, or keeping warm and dry outdoors on public property that is open to the public to be objectively reasonable as to time, place, and manner. Tualatin’s camping regulations were adopted to comply with that state law.

    The ordinance includes place regulations that prohibit camping on most public property, including City parks, sidewalks, along the river, and on trails throughout the city. The draft ordinance limits outdoor camping on public property to one lot on SW Tualatin Rd adjacent to the Tualatin Police Department.

    The ordinance also restricts the size of campsites to 12 feet by 12 feet and requires a 10 foot buffer between campsites.

    Related Pages

    Police officers in uniform sitting at a conference table on their laptops

    Police Enroll in program for private property owners

    The Trespass Authorization Program allows the Tualatin Police Department to enter private property for the purpose of enforcing trespass laws against individuals who are trespassing when no responsible party is on site.

    Duck swimming in water

    Community Homelessness in Tualatin

    Homelessness impacts the Tualatin community. Find out more about the city's response and resources available for people experiencing homelessness.

    Homelessness