Public & Private Property Camping Programs and RV Parking/Camping in Non-Designated Areas

The City of Warrenton regulates camping in the City on both Public and Private property as well as the parking of recreational vehicles used for lodging within the city limits. To help explain these regulations, the City provides the packet below. If you have further questions, you can visit the Warrenton Police Department (225 S. Main Ave.) or call the Warrenton Police Department (503-861-2235).

This application packet is based on the following Chapters of the City of Warrenton Code:

• Chapter 10.16 Recreational Vehicle Parking (Attachment A)
• Chapter 12.28 Camping (Attachment B)

In most cases, to camp on private or public property that has not already been designated for camping, you must have a permit from the City. Here are some scenarios to help you decide if camping is allowed and if you need a permit.

• My friends or family are coming to town and want to park their RV and camp on my property for a week. YES, this is allowed with guidelines, and YES, you need a permit.

• My friends or family are coming to town and want to park their RV and camp on the street by my house for a week. NO, camping on a public street is NOT allowed. Also, vehicles wider than 6’6” are not allowed to park on most Warrenton streets.

• My friends or family are coming to town and want to camp in a tent on my property for a week. YES, this is allowed with guidelines, and YES, you need a permit.

• My kids and I want to set up a tent in our backyard for the summer. YES, this is allowed, and NO, you DO NOT need a permit.

• Someone I know is experiencing hard times, is homeless, and wants to camp on my property for a while to get back on their feet. YES, this is allowed with guidelines, and YES, you need a permit. Camping is NOT allowed in storage units, warehouses, sheds, shipping containers, etc.

• Someone I know is experiencing hard times, is homeless, and wants to camp in a regular vehicle on my property for a while to get back on their feet. YES, this is allowed with guidelines, and YES, you need a permit.

• My church wants to allow homeless people to camp on church property for a while to get back on their feet. YES, this is allowed with guidelines and limits, and YES, the church needs a permit.

• Can people camp in public parks, public parking lots, public restrooms, trails, beaches, dikes, docks, and marinas in Warrenton? NO, this is NOT allowed. YES, it is allowed in “designated camping areas” in the marinas.

• I have a seasonal business; can I camp in an RV adjacent to the business for the season? YES, this is allowed with guidelines, and YES, you need a permit.

• Can someone camp in an RV who is part of a City-Approved event at a City Facility, a designated Park Host at a City facility, or someone providing temporary site security or site monitoring in an Open Space and Institutional District? YES, this is allowed with guidelines, and YES, you need a permit.

Complete the attached application and bring it to the Warrenton Police Department during regular business hours (M - F, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm).