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La Grande council adopts ordinance tightening camping rules on public property
Summary
La Grande’s city council approved amendments to city code chapter 24, section 2411 to clarify camping definitions, restrict certain overnight sleeping in vehicles and create formal appeal rights and timelines for enforcement.
La Grande — The city council approved an ordinance amending La Grande City Code chapter 24, section 2411 on camping on public property after a brief staff report and no public testimony.
John O'Brien, the city manager, told council the revisions aim to make the rules “legally defensible, objectively reasonable under Oregon law, and fair to everyone involved,” and said they add clearer definitions, regulations on overnight sleeping in vehicles, limited exclusion areas and formal appeal rights and timelines to strengthen due process.
Councilors said they had discussed the measures in prior sessions and that their remaining questions had been answered. After the hearing was closed, a councilor moved to read the ordinance a second time by title only as amended and to adopt it; the motion was seconded and carried on a voice vote.
The ordinance will take effect as stated in the adopted language. The council closed the public hearing after staff presentation and moved directly to the vote.
What’s next: The ordinance is now on the city’s code and staff will implement the updated enforcement and appeal procedures described in the ordinance text.
