Council advances discussion on RV ordinance, stresses nonconfrontational enforcement

The North Powder City Council reopened debate on an RV and temporary camping ordinance that would restrict how long people can occupy RVs within town limits and clarify whether utilities or owner status affect compliance. Council members emphasized that enforcement should avoid unannounced personal contact with occupants.

Mike Wisdom, who summarized an existing intergovernmental agreement with the county, said the county can process citations and that fines and forfeited bail would be split: "when there is a fine or forfeited bail, for example, half of that goes to the city here; the other half to the court for their time and effort." Mayor Alan Brown said his top priority for enforcement is safety and explicitly opposed door‑to‑door enforcement that could lead to confrontation. The council agreed to postpone formal adoption until staff provides a typed ordinance and enforcement procedure for review.

Why it matters: The ordinance affects residents living in RVs or using RVs temporarily on private lots and establishes the city’s practical enforcement authority and safety protocols. The council stressed written notice and administrative steps rather than personal confrontations.

Next steps: Staff will prepare a typed ordinance and the three-step enforcement process for a future meeting; council members asked that the document avoid personal contact as an enforcement first step.