BEND, OR -- The second unsanctioned camping code open house is scheduled for Monday. Bend city councilors and staff will answer public questions and explain legal principles they must follow, as the city develops regulations for camping on city rights of way and city-owned property like sidewalks and landscaping strips.

The first open house was August 16. This second one starts at 5:30 p.m. Monday, August 29, at Municipal Court (555 NE 15th Street) or online. The event will be streamed on the City of Bend YouTube channel with live simultaneous Spanish interpretation. Those who wish to ask questions during the open house should register with ?this Zoom link. Information is also posted on the camping code webpage.

Unsanctioned camping along city streets and sidewalks is the type of camping officials hear a lot of concerns about. The Bend Municipal Code currently does not ban camping on public property or rights-of-way. The City of Bend is developing a code to help regulate City-owned property and rights-of-way, and intends to regulate unsanctioned camping in a manner consistent with federal court decisions and Oregon law. There will be opportunities for the community to provide input on the proposed code before Council votes on adopting a code this fall.

Learn more about the camping code at bendoregon.gov/camping-code.