City of Portland shares progress on camping ban enforcement after dozens taken into custody

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The City of Portland has released updates on the enforcement of its camping ban ordinance, nearly one week after it was resumed.

Enforcement of the camping ban ordinance — which Portland City Council passed in 2024 — restarted on Nov. 1 after Mayor Keith Wilson paused enforcement in February as the city and partner organizations built hundreds of emergency shelter beds.

With enforcement back in place, the city says it is emphasizing connecting Portlanders to shelters and services rather than arrest.

“I’m proud of the job our outreach workers and officers have done,” said Mayor Keith Wilson. “We’re leading with compassion and lifesaving shelter, and focusing on the safety, sanitation, and accessibility of our public spaces. Pursuing open warrants is an important part of this strategy. For some, it’s an opportunity to resolve the issues keeping them on the streets, while others must be held accountable for preying on our community.”

Enforcement of the ban has been carried out by the Portland Police Bureau and officers can issue citations after reasonable alternative shelter — such as congregate shelters, hotel placements or other overnight facilities — are offered and declined or when a campsite violates other City Code restrictions.

Restrictions include camps that obstruct access to pedestrian zones or private property and camps that use fire or gas heaters around the site. Additional restrictions ban sites that assemble, disassemble or sell multiple bicycles or automobiles, along with sites that alter city infrastructure or camps that store personal belongings more than two feet away from the tent.

Those with outstanding warrants or who are engaging in criminal activity may also be subject to arrest. Courts will determine any penalties.

Overall, data collected by the city shows 81 people were found in violation of the ordinance within the first five days of enforcement. Of those, 40 were taken into custody. However, the rest accepted shelter services, moving from off the street into an overnight shelter, the data says.

Category	Total
Campsites contacted by officers during enhanced patrols	57
People contacted at campsites	101
People in violation of the camping ordinance	81
Camping ordinance warnings issued	83
Camping ordinance citations issued	7
Physical arrests for any reason	40
Arrest warrants served	39
New charges other than camping ordinance citations	10
Services accepted	41
Deflections accepted	2

In a release, the city said it will provide another update summarizing the citations next week.

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