Sheriff presents proposed county rules for camping on public property; board asks for more detail and seeks continuance

Sheriff Josh Roberts told the Umatilla County Board of Commissioners May 7 that the county needs an ordinance to regulate camping on county-owned properties after officers encountered extensive, semi-permanent encampments and large accumulations of debris.

Roberts said the draft ordinance would set time, place and manner restrictions for camping on county property so law enforcement can act where currently they lack clear regulatory authority. Under the draft provisions described at the hearing, camping on county property would be permitted between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m.; camps would have to be broken down and removed by 7 a.m.; a single person could not remain at one site more than five consecutive days and could not return to the same spot for at least 60 days. The sheriff emphasized the proposal targets semi-permanent structures and large accumulations of trash that create public-health and environmental risks near waterways rather than short overnight sheltering.

Roberts said the issue arises from multiple sites where temporary camps have transitioned into sites with structures and large quantities of debris; when those sites are cleared the materials are often left behind and become hazardous-waste problems. The sheriff told the board the ordinance would allow the county to require people moving on and to remove or store property when people do not comply, though he acknowledged the county must develop procedures about inventory, storage and access for people whose belongings are taken.

Board members pressed Roberts on practical issues: whether the sheriff’s office will need additional personnel for monitoring and enforcement; how to handle vehicles and RVs (operable, licensed vehicles would be treated differently than inoperable or unlicensed vehicles, which may be categorized as solid waste); coordination with social-service providers, shelters and tribal or federal agencies; and how to handle removed property and storage. Commissioners and commenters noted that low-barrier shelters such as Promise Inn and other local providers have waiting lists and that some people decline available services.

Representatives from the public and the fair board asked about jurisdictional overlap with BLM on checkerboarded public lands in the county’s west end. Roberts said the county coordinates with BLM and other agencies as needed but that BLM has limited local resources.

After public input and board questions, a commissioner requested additional detail and further discussion with the sheriff’s office before the board takes action. The board agreed to continue the matter for further review rather than adopt an ordinance at the May 7 meeting.

No ordinance or enforcement provision was adopted at the meeting; the hearing remained open for further work between staff, the sheriff’s office and other partners.