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Council considers narrowing permitted camping zones in Coos Bay after ordinance review
Summary
City staff asked the council to amend chapter 8.45 of the Coos Bay Municipal Code to remove or narrow several mapped zones where camping is permitted, citing enforcement challenges and nearby residential areas; councilors asked staff to return with legal guidance and a revised map.
City staff presented proposed amendments to Coos Bay Municipal Code Chapter 8.45 (camping regulations), a chapter adopted after state action, and asked council direction on removing or narrowing mapped public spaces where camping is currently allowed.
Nicole (city staff) said the ordinance implementing House Bill 2006 established a time, place and manner approach with mapped allowable areas in mixed-use, commercial and industrial zones. Staff recommended revising several sections where the current map allows camping in locations that are primarily residential or that present enforcement challenges, including a portion of Ackerman (Empire) and several blocks in the Eastside neighborhood. Nicole said removing those green-mapped blocks would reduce enforcement ambiguity and better reflect local residential context.
Chief Chupner told the council Eastside has not shown major impacts to date; Sixth Avenue and a reduced set of blocks could be retained to provide space for people to rest while minimizing residential conflicts. Nicole and Chief Chupner said the plan was to keep reasonable access to permitted public spaces while addressing areas that create safety or land-use conflicts.
Councilors asked for legal context. Nicole and other staff referenced state legislation passed after federal court decisions; Nicole said the Oregon legislature enacted a statutory framework (House Bill 2006) that affects local authority and that city staff would consult legal counsel (Nate) before returning the item to council. A councilor asked staff to provide relevant state laws and case citations with the staff report when the item returns.
Council discussion touched on process questions and whether a broader remap of allowed camping areas across the city would be appropriate; staff said the existing map was developed with a homeless work group that included police, service agencies and civic participants and could be revisited in full if the council wishes.
Staff will consult with legal counsel, prepare a revised map that tightens the allowable area in Eastside and Ackerman/Empire as discussed, and return with an updated staff report and cited state legal authorities. No formal code changes were adopted at the meeting.
