City of Portland v. Johnson

The City of Portland appeals an order of the district court granting defendant’s demurrer to a complaint charging him with “unlawful camping.” The court held that the ordinance under which defendant was charged is unconstitutionally vague under the Oregon Constitution. We reverse.

The ordinance 1 prohibits “camping”

“* * * in or upon any sidewalk, street, alley, lane, public right-of-way or any other place to which the general public has access, or under any bridgeway or viaduct * * *.”

The ordinance provides that “ ‘to camp’ means to set up or to remain in or at, a campsite.” “Campsite” is…