Judge McLaughlin issued a General Judgment of Dismissal in a case challenging city ordinance related to public park use. The ruling dismissed the case with prejudice, meaning it cannot be refiled, and dissolved the preliminary injunction that had previously restricted enforcement of certain park regulations. This decision clears the way for the city to resume full enforcement of its ordinances governing camping and length of stay within designated areas.
In the days following the ruling, local law enforcement is expected to begin issuing formal notices to individuals currently residing in public parks. Occupants will have 72 hours to gather and remove their belongings once these notices are posted. The city emphasized that this process is designed to provide a short transition period while restoring compliance with existing municipal codes.
The ruling does not result in the closure of resting sites. Those areas will remain available to the public, but the city will now enforce a 96-hour maximum stay limit. Under this rule, individuals may not remain in the same resting site for more than four consecutive days. After that period, they are required to relocate in accordance with city code. Exceptions may be made when an accommodation is required under the Americans with Disabilities Act, which ensures access and protections for individuals with qualifying conditions.
For months, enforcement of the 96-hour rule had been effectively paused due to pending litigation. The court’s dismissal eliminates that barrier, giving the city authority to implement its policies as originally intended. The ordinances in question, listed under Grants Pass Municipal Code sections 6.46.040 through 6.46.044, outline the conditions under which public spaces may be used for temporary shelter or resting. They are designed to balance access to public spaces with the city’s responsibilities for health, safety, and general use by the wider community.
The enforcement effort is expected to bring changes to how public parks are used in the weeks ahead. While the city maintains that resting sites remain available, the reinstated time limits are likely to affect individuals who had been using the areas for longer-term stays. By providing a 72-hour window following notices, the city aims to encourage voluntary compliance and reduce the need for forced removals.
City officials and community advocates alike are now watching closely to see how the transition unfolds. The return of the 96-hour enforcement standard marks a significant shift from the recent status quo, where longer-term stays had been allowed under the court’s injunction. With the ruling now settled and the injunction lifted, the city is preparing to fully reestablish its park management policies while allowing for case-by-case exceptions when federal disability protections apply.
The General Judgment of Dismissal underscores the authority of local governments to enforce their ordinances once legal challenges are resolved. For residents of Grants Pass, the decision means the rules governing public park use are once again in full effect, with enforcement beginning in the immediate days ahead.