Regulations

Oregon House Bill 3115 requires that local law regulating sitting, lying, sleeping or keeping warm and dry outdoors on public property that is open to public must be objectively reasonable as to time, place and manner with regards to persons experiencing homelessness. This allows people living unsheltered to camp on certain public property when no shelter beds are accessible, although there are restrictions on this camping. HB 3115 went into effect June 23, 2021.

Coos Bay Municipal Code 8.45, the Coos Bay Camping Regulations, was passed on August 3, 2021, to regulate when, where, and how people can camp within the City of Coos Bay. The ordinance was needed as court decisions and ruling from the Department of Justice removed all previous laws/ordinances related to camping within the city. CBPD believes the ordinance will protect the rights and interests of ALL citizens and business owners within the City of Coos Bay.

Terminology

• “Camp” or “camping” means to pitch, erect, create, use, or occupy camp facilities for the purposes of habitation, as evidenced by the use of camp paraphernalia.
• "Camp facilities” include, but are not limited to, tents, huts, temporary shelters, or vehicles.
• “Campsite” means any place where one or more persons have established temporary sleeping accommodations by use of camp facilities and/or camp paraphernalia.
• “Family” means two or more persons related by blood, marriage, adoption, legal guardianship, or other duly authorized custodial relationship, or not more than two unrelated adults.
• "Parking lot” means a developed location that is designated for parking motor vehicles, whether developed with asphalt, concrete, gravel, or other material.

Camping on Private Property

Prior to camping on private property, the Private Camping Registration must be submitted to Coos Bay Police Department.

To submit the Private Camping Registration, either:

• complete the Private Camping Registration Form online, or
• download and print the Private Camping Registration Form (PDF) and
  • submit in person at Coos Bay Police Department,
  • mail to CBPD, 500 Central Ave, Coos Bay, OR 97420,
  • fax to 541-269-5788, or
  • email to Chief Chapanar at cchapanar@coosbayor.gov. 

For additional information, please contact the CBPD Community Resource Officer at 541-269-8911.

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Camping on Public Property