Tough RV ordinance has loopholes
By Terry Murry on Tuesday, February 14th, 2023 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
PENDLETON – The city of Pendleton no longer allows people to live on public streets in recreational vehicles for two weeks. That time has been cut to three days, but there are exceptions.
“The people that come here legitimately to visit relatives or friends, or come for Round-Up or something like that are not the people we are targeting with this ordinance,” Mayor John Turner said.
Turner said people who visit the city of Gresham can see areas that are choked with RVs, many of which don’t run, that provide shelter for the otherwise homeless. The Pendleton rule will see the RVs being towed away if they remain longer than 72 hours. Exemptions to the three-day limit are available from Police Chief Chuck Byram and City Manager Robb Corbett.
Meanwhile, Turner and other city officials acknowledge that measures like this don’t address the problems that create homelessness. They are awaiting guidance and funding form the state to address the root of the problem.
