on September 10, 2026

Oregon Dog Poop Laws

Quick answer: Oregon has no statewide pooper scooper law. Picking up after your dog is regulated city by city, and all three of the largest cities we checked have an ordinance requiring it. In Salem, the rule applies only in parks. None of them uses a set ticket amount. Fines are set by a judge within a range the code allows.

Why Oregon leaves it to cities

Oregon has no statewide statute requiring dog owners to pick up waste on streets or private property. ORS 609.060 lets a county prohibit dogs from running at large by ordinance or voter measure, after which a keeper whose dog runs at large where prohibited commits a Class B violation. The only statewide pickup rule covers state park property: OAR 736-010-0030(8) requires a handler to pick up and properly dispose of the animal's waste, and 736-010-0030(1) makes violations a Class D violation, which carries a $115 presumptive fine under ORS 153.019(1)(d).

  • County prohibition on dogs running at large (Class B violation): ORS 609.060 (read it)
  • State park property: handler must pick up and dispose of animal waste; Class D violation: OAR 736-010-0030(1), (8) (read it)
  • Presumptive fine for a Class D violation: $115: ORS 153.019(1)(d) (read it)

Pooper scooper laws in Oregon's largest cities

Each row comes from the city's own municipal code. "Up to" is the most a court can impose, not a standard ticket. Where a city publishes no amount, we say so rather than estimate one.

City Ordinance Fine Must carry a bag
Portland Multnomah County Code 13.303 (Animal wastes; duty to remove), enforced by Multnomah County Animal Services; and, in city parks, Portland City Code 20.12.140(B)(3) $30 to $150 No
Salem Salem Revised Code 94.020(d) (parks only); Ord. No. 57-05 and earlier Up to $50 No
Eugene Eugene Code 4.465 (Dog Waste Matter); amended by Ord. No. 17472 (1975), renumbered by Ord. No. 19461 (1987) Up to $150 No

The rule people miss: carrying the bag

None of the cities we checked in Oregon spell out a separate duty to carry a bag, but the pickup duty applies the moment your dog goes, and "I did not have a bag" is not a defense in any of them.

A bag holder on the leash solves that for good. Ours is the Walk Dispenser, which clips on and holds a full roll.

Worth knowing about Oregon

  • Portland's sidewalk and street rule is Multnomah County's (MCC 13.303), not the city's; the city code covers parks only. A citizen complaint to the county must include photo or video of the animal in the act of depositing waste.
  • Oregon state parks treat unpicked-up pet waste as a Class D violation with a $115 presumptive fine.
  • Salem's pickup rule covers park property only.
  • Eugene lets violators cut the fine in half by attending violators school.

Common questions

Is it illegal to not pick up dog poop in Oregon?

There is no statewide law, but every one of the largest cities we checked has a pickup rule, and most smaller towns have similar ordinances. In Salem, the rule applies only in parks. Check your own city or county code.

How much is the fine for not picking up dog poop in Oregon?

It depends on the city. Portland: $30 to $150. Salem: Up to $50. Eugene: Up to $150.

Do I have to carry a poop bag in Oregon?

Not as a separate rule in the cities we checked. You still have to pick up, so in practice you need one.

Are service dog handlers exempt?

In Portland and Eugene, the ordinance exempts handlers who have a disability and cannot physically pick up. The exemption covers the handler, not the dog.

Other states in the West

California · Washington · Arizona · Colorado · Utah · Nevada · New Mexico · Idaho

See all 50 states · How scoop laws work in general

Sources

Checked 2026-09-10. Ordinances change, so if you are dealing with an actual citation, read the current code at the link rather than relying on this page.

This page is general information, not legal advice.