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What You Should Know about Camping in Tigard

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The City of Tigard is required by law to allow camping with reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions by the State of Oregon. This ordinance went into effect July 1, 2023 and is reviewed every six months by the Tigard City Council to make updates as needed.

This City ordinance is just one way that the City of Tigard works to address homelessness in our community. To learn more about the other ways that the city responds to homelessness, see our Unhoused Residents webpage.

Tigard's Time, Place, Manner Ordinance Restricts Camping in These Ways:

Time

  • Camping is permitted from 7 PM - 8 AM, within the fenced areas of the Public Works Lawn.
  • All daytime use of the Public Works Lawn is prohibited between 8 AM - 7 PM

Place

Camping is prohibited at:

  • Tigard Public Library
  • Tigard City Hall
  • All cement, brick, asphalt, and concrete surfaces on City property
  • Sensitive lands, such as wetlands, significant habitat areas, and undeveloped park land
  • Bark dust areas and landscaped areas around the Public Works Building
  • City parks
  • City parking lots
  • Along SW Burnham Street, SW Main Street, SW Commercial Street and SW Tigard Street between SW Main Street and SW Tiedeman Street
  • Within 500 ft. of houseless services, schools (including Safe Parking sites), and freeway entrances/exits
  • Within any vision clearance area around intersections, as indicated in grey in the images below

Manner

How campers may set up their campsites is regulated in several ways, including:

  • Campsite may not obstruct travel
  • Campsites must leave 48” of clearance on public sidewalks
  • Campsite must be 10 ft. from driveways, building entrances/exits, fire hydrants, and other utility infrastructure
  • Campsites are limited to 12x12 ft
  • Campsites must be 20 ft. apart from one another, except on the Public Works Lawn
  • Campers may not obstruct an exit or exit passageway (Oregon Fire Code section 1030.2)
  • Campers may not dig, excavate, erect/install fixtures, or harm vegetation
  • Campers may not start or maintain an open flame
  • Campers may not accumulate or leave behind property, trash, hazardous materials, or feces
  • Campers may not engage in conduct that disrupts or interferes with the normal operations of the city government (Tigard Municipal Code 7.58.080)

TPM Visual Clearance

If you see a violation in the community:

If you feel comfortable, you may want to approach the community member yourself.

Here’s how –

  • Assume the person is not aware of the Time, Place, Manner rules and be prepared to talk about the ordinance and how they are violating it.
  • Approach the community member with respect and compassion.
  • It may take some time for the person to dismantle their campsite. Please give community members time and space to do so.

You also may choose to call the police non-emergency line: 503-629-0111.

  • Police response will be prioritized based on if the person is creating a public safety risk. If there are competing priorities or a high call volume, then the Tigard Police Department may not be able to respond immediately.
  • When you call, be prepared to be specific about how the person is violating Tigard’s Time, Place, Manner Ordinance.