A. It is unlawful for any person to camp upon City properties, facilities, sidewalks, rights of way, parks, and similar locations, unless otherwise authorized by law or by declaration of the City Manager.
B. Unless otherwise authorized by law or by declaration of the City Manager, it is unlawful to establish a campsite for any period of time at the following locations:
1. City facilities;
2. Sidewalks;
3. Rights of way;
4. City properties;
5. City parks within City limits.
6. Any property posted no trespassing or fenced and gated.
C. Regulated camping locations are available from nine o’clock (9:00) p.m. to six o’clock (6:00) a.m. If you cannot comply with this, you can call law enforcement, and a designated official can give you an alternate location for the night.
D. Individuals experiencing homelessness who are engaged in camping on City-owned public property shall use the minimal amount of camping materials necessary to protect them from the elements in order to keep warm and dry.
E. RV's, cars, trucks, and other motor vehicles, in licensed, legal and operable condition, are allowed to be parked in camping locations for the purposes of this Heppner Municipal Ordinance, regardless of other Heppner Municipal Ordinances or Code Chapters, unless they are in violation of non-Heppner local laws or rules, or state or federal laws or rules, that preempts City of Heppner authority.
1. Motor vehicles must remain in area's intended for parking and driving vehicles, unless explicitly specified. This allowance for parking motor vehicles in camping locations does not allow for parking outside of designated parking areas.
F. Individuals experiencing homelessness who are engaged in camping on City-owned public property may maintain the essentials for living but may not store their personal property on City-owned public property while engaged in camping unless storage is essential to living while camping.
G. Items, behavior, and/or conduct presenting a public health concern or other danger to the camper or others, including but not limited to uncontained sharps, uncontained human waste, unauthorized connections or taps to private or public utilities are prohibited.
H. Tents, tarps, and other minimal measures allowed under this Chapter for the purposes of keeping warm and dry may not exceed one hundred (100) square feet in combined surface or covered area.
I. Obstruction or attachment of camping materials or paraphernalia to public infrastructure or private property structures, including bridges or bridge infrastructure, fire hydrants, utility poles, streetlights, traffic signals, signs, fences, trees, vegetation, vehicles, buildings, or impairment to emergency response-including within ten (10) feet of any fire hydrant, utility pole, or other utility, fire gate/bollards, or public infrastructure used for emergency response-is prohibited.
J. At no time may fire be used to keep warm and dry under this subsection.
K. Dumping of detritus, waste, gray water, garbage, black water, and similar items, is prohibited on City-owned public property.
L. No alterations, including digging, excavation, terracing of soil, or alteration of City-owned public property or damage to vegetation or trees is prohibited.
M. Camping is not allowed within one thousand (1,000) feet of any public, private, pre-, middle, elementary, high, secondary, or career school, childcare facility or bus stop licensed by the City of Heppner.
N. At least once every twenty four (24) hours an individual that has placed a campsite, camping materials or personal property on City Property must relocate.
O. Persons participating in camping as allowed by this Chapter do so at their own risk, and nothing in this code creates or establishes any duty or liability for the city or its officers, employees, or agents, with respect to any loss related to bodily injury (including death) or property damage (including destruction).
P. Animals: Individuals experiencing temporary homelessness while camping, and being in charge of any animal, shall keep animals in compliance with Heppner Ordinances and Municipal Code, and applicable local, state and federal laws.
1. Animals must be kept confined or on a leash and shall be kept under supervision at all times; and are not allowed to run at large or to commit any nuisance. All animal fecal matter shall be picked up by the owner or person in charge of the animal, placed in an appropriate container, and removed and disposed of properly.
2. No owner or person in charge of an animal shall permit an animal, which is dangerous to the public health or safety, to be exposed in public.
Q. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Chapter, the City Manager or designee may temporarily authorize camping or storage of personal property on city property by written order that specifies the period of time and location:
1. In the event of emergency circumstances;
2. In conjunction with a special event permit; or
3. Upon finding it to be in the public interest and consistent with Council goals and policies. (Ord. 589-23, 8-14-2023)