BEND, OR -- Months after Bend's public camping code took effect, City Councilors are working to address people living in vehicles. "There's been some inconsistency in how staff are able to talk with folks and explain the rules to them," says Bend Mayor Melanie Kebler, "Our parking code needs an update and is actually being updated, as well, and we'll be talking about that at a future meeting."

She tells KBND News those inconsistencies led to confusion, "Some of the rules about three business days or how far you have to move weren't really working well for the purpose of helping folks understand where they needed to be, if they were camping in their vehicle. And, we didn't have it defined - what does that mean to be camping in your vehicle versus just stopped and reading a book, or whatever it is." She adds, "We've got an updated definition. We aligned the timing to be the same as the timing for tent camping. So, whether you are sheltering in your vehicle or sheltering in your tent, the time period is 24 hours in any one location, and you will - per state law and per our code - receive 72 hours of notice if we do ask you to move." Kebler says, "For vehicles, they need to move a few blocks. For tents, it will still be just about one block. And, a lot of pretty much the same rules will apply for tent camping and vehicle camping."

Council approved the first reading of the revised ordinance this week. It's expected to get final approval in two weeks, "There'll be a 72-hour notice. And practically, for staff, that starts a clock of about 10 days, where they try to work with the person and help them understand how to get into compliance or where they need to move to or move from."

The ordinance only applies to public rights of way, "So, if you have a private road or a private lot, that is on the private property owner on how they want to handle that. This is simply for those places that are public right of ways, that we have a duty to regulate as a city."