FAQ

A. A vehicle is considered "abandoned" if it has been on a public right-of-way for more than 24 hours and one or more of the following criteria apply:

It appears disabled/inoperative
It does not belong to somebody in the immediate area
If the vehicle does not fit one of the above criteria, then the vehicle is not considered abandoned and no time restriction exists.

A. A vehicle is considered "abandoned" if it has been on a public right-of-way for more than 24 hours and one or more of the following criteria apply:
• It appears disabled/inoperative
• It does not belong to somebody in the immediate area  
  If a vehicle meets the above listed criteria, contact the Washington County Sheriff’s Office Records Department at (503) 846-2700 to report it. You will need to provide the call taker with:
• A description of the vehicle
• License plate or VIN
• Location
• How long it has been there
• Your name and a contact phone number or address
You must provide your name and a contact phone number or address, or we cannot process your complaint. This information will be kept confidential.

A. The Sheriff’s Office is not authorized to tow abandoned vehicles from private property. Oregon Revised Statute 98.830 contains a simple procedure for the owner or person in lawful possession of private property to remove an abandoned vehicle from it. You can click on the following link to see that statute: http://landru.leg.state.or.us/ors/098.html

A. You have 24 hours from when the car was tagged to remove it from the public right-of-way. If it is still on the right-of-way beyond that, it will be subject to towing. If it is towed, a lien will attach to the vehicle for the tow company’s towing and storage charges. If you do not reclaim it within a specific time period, it will be disposed of or sold according to law.

A. Call the Washington County Sheriff's Office Records Section at (503) 846-2700. They will be able to tell you which tow company has your vehicle. The tow company will require proof of ownership and payment of towing and storage charges before they will release the vehicle.

A. If your vehicle was towed at the county's request from public property, you have 15 days from the date of the tow to retrieve your personal belongings from the vehicle without paying towing or storage costs. This does not include anything that is attached to the vehicle.

A. You have the right to request a hearing if your vehicle was towed, or has been tagged to be towed as an abandoned vehicle. Your request must be in writing and be within 5 days of the date the vehicle was tagged. You must also state the grounds upon which you believe the tow is not justified. Send it to Washington County Sheriff's Office, Attention Abandoned Vehicles Hearings Officer, 215 SW Adams Avenue, MS #32, Hillsboro, OR 97123.

A. Applications are available: 1) Online using the link below, 2) In person at the Sheriff's Office in Hillsboro or at East Precinct in Beaverton - see locations link below, or 3) By mail - you may call (503) 846-2761 to request an application be mailed to you.

Your first step in this process is to meet the handgun competency requirement, see Frequently Asked Question #2 below. Next, review the disqualifications listed Question #3 below. Finally, mail your completed application to the Concealed Handgun License Unit. You can expect to receive an appointment notice within two weeks.

Scheduled appointments are required for all new applicants. You must pay your license fee at your scheduled appointment.

Please do not send payment with your application. Payment must be in the form of a check, money order, or cash only.
See also:

• Main CHL web page
• Sheriff's Office locations
• Downloadable CHL application

A. Please do not apply until you have met the competency requirement in one of the following ways:

Complete a handgun safety class taught by an NRA certified instructor. Certification or card issued must be presented at the time of your scheduled appointment. Contact local gun dealers for class referrals.
Completion of any law enforcement firearms safety offered for security guards or other law enforcement officers. Certification must be presented at your scheduled appointment.
Obtain a copy of your DD214 if it indicates you are competent with a handgun, sidearm or pistol. If your DD214 does not indicate competency, we will be unable to accept this as proof of your competency, even if used while in the Armed Forces.

A. Oregon law prohibits the issuance of a concealed handgun license to anyone convicted of a felony or convicted of a misdemeanor within the last four years, or anyone that is the respondent of a current restraining order or stalking order.

Federal law prohibits anyone convicted of a domestic violence-related crime, misdemeanor or felony, from possessing a firearm. Also prohibited is anyone with more than one drug-related conviction and registered sex offenders.

If you feel you are eligible for a license, please submit appropriate documentation to include dates and explanation of circumstances, including court orders surrounding your circumstances for further consideration. Include this information with your application.

You are also ineligible for a concealed handgun license if you are not a U.S. citizen, unless you are a legal resident alien. You must be able to document continuous residency in the country for at least six months, and you must have declared in writing to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services the intent to acquire citizenship. You must be able to provide proof of the written declaration.

A. Contact your local gun dealer and let them know you are interested in obtaining a handgun safety course for a concealed handgun license.

A. New license - $65.00
(Valid for four years from the date of issue)
Renewal license within Washington County - $50.00
(Valid for four years from the date of issue)
Address change or replacement within Washington County- $15.00
(Expiration date is the same as the original)

A. Your concealed handgun license is valid for four years from date of issue. However, an arrest or involvement in criminal activity is cause for revocation.

A. For new licenses, renewals, and transfers, the CHL unit is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with the last appointment offered at 4:30. Please call ahead to schedule your appointment (503) 846-2761.

License holders wishing to get a replacement card or have their address changed may drop in during business hours. We are open during the lunch hour.

A. No. Please bring a personal check made payable to Washington County, a money order, or cash to your appointment. Payments must be made in the Criminal Records office (on the first floor) prior to your appointment. You will receive a receipt for your payment which you must present to the Concealed Handgun Licensing Unit. This payment is non-refundable.

A. We schedule appointments every 15 minutes. Please allow time to pay your fee in the Criminal Records office (on the first floor) before coming to the Concealed Handgun Unit.

A. Reminder letters are sent to the current mailing addresses on file. However, it is still your responsibility to make sure your license is current and valid when you carry a concealed handgun.

A. Yes. You are required to come to the Concealed Handgun Unit and complete a change of address form. The change of address fee is $15.

A. The Washington County Sheriff's Office is located at 215 SW Adams in Hillsboro.

No person may bring a firearm or weapon into that portion of this building occupied by the Washington County Circuit Court, except for a peace officer or federal officer on official duty. Violating these provisions may result in your arrest for a Class C Felony, and could also result in your being found in contempt of court. ORS 166.370 and Uniform Trial Court Rule 6.180.

No person may bring a firearm, weapon or other contraband into the secured perimeter of the Washington County Jail, and all visitors to the jail must go through a security screening and metal detector. Knowingly introducing contraband into a correctional facility is a Class C Felony. ORS 162.185.

All persons entering these premises may be subject to audio or visual surveillance.

A. Call this office at (503) 846-2761 to schedule an appointment to transfer your license to Washington County. You must meet one of the residency requirements list under Question #16.

During your appointment, we will check your concealed handgun license and Oregon driver's license and take your picture. Plan to spend about 15 minutes to be processed.

A. Oregon law provides very few limits on where a person with a Concealed Handgun License (CHL) can carry a firearm, and federal laws contain a few more prohibitions. Even if you have a Concealed Handgun License, you cannot carry a firearm on any of the following properties:

Federal facilities - federal courthouses, social security offices, in secured areas of airports, and on airplanes
National forests marked or posted by signs prohibiting all firearms
Indian reservations or Indian property - you may not carry a firearm concealed without the written permission of the tribal judge; this may also apply to certain casinos on Indian lands
Courts - in a courtroom, jury room, judge's chambers or adjacent areas that the presiding judge determines should be free of firearms to ensure the safety of the litigants, court personnel, witnesses and others
Private property where the owner prohibits firearms possession
If you violate these conditions you could, under certain circumstances, be subject to arrest under Oregon trespass laws, in which case your concealed handgun license would be seized and/or revoked. Learn more, read ORS 166.370.

No person may bring a firearm or weapon into that portion of this building occupied by the Washington County Circuit Court, except for a peace officer or federal officer on official duty. Violating these provisions may result in your arrest for a Class C felony, and could also result in your being found in contempt of court. ORS 166.370 and Uniform Trial Court Rule 6.180.

No person may bring a firearm, weapon or other contraband into the secured perimeter of the Washington County Jail, and all visitors to the jail must go through a security screening and metal detector. Knowingly introducing contraband into a correctional facility is a Class C felony. ORS 162.185.

All persons entering these premises may be subject to audio or visual surveillance.

A. If we deny your application or revoke your license, we will send you a certified letter stating the reason(s).

A. You may apply for a Washington County-issued Oregon concealed handgun license by meeting the residency requirements as stated in ORS 166.291(9):

Possess a Current Oregon driver’s license showing a residence in the county.
Be registered to vote in Washington County and have a precinct memorandum card showing a residence address in the county.
Provide documentation that you currently own or lease real property in the county.
Provide documentation that you filed an Oregon tax return for the most recent tax year with a residence address in the county.

A. Oregon law states that a sheriff may waive the residency requirement for a resident of a contiguous state that has a compelling business interest or other legitimate demonstrated need. Washington County would consider your application if you live in a contiguous state, meet all the requirements, and write a letter stating a compelling business interest or other legitimate demonstrated need that exhibits a correlation to Washington County. Your statement must be submitted with your completed application.

A. The law is available at ORS 166.370. Scroll through the index and then down to the section you want to review.

A. No. There are no penalties for letting your license expire. However, without a license, you have no authority to carry concealed. If you wish to renew your license, please call (503)846-2761 to schedule an appointment.

Other sources of Information:

Concealed Handgun Unit
www.co.washington.or.us/sheriff/service/ccw.htm

A. The Crime Prevention Team gives numerous presentations to community and civic groups in English or Spanish. Topics such as Personal Safety, Home Security, Identity Theft and Neighborhood Watch are given frequently. Other topics are available as needed, and new programs are developed to address new crime trends. The Crime Prevention Team also coordinates our highly regarded Neighborhood Watch Newsletter, which is available by e-mail subscription, via our web site, and by mail.

A. Visit our Self Defense page.
See also:

• Self Defense

A. Benefits of having a Neighborhood Watch:
Contact Crime Prevention
Neighborhood Watch News


Improved livability.
A team concept of neighbors working together.
Knowing your neighbors and looking out for one another.
Improved home security.
A partnership with the Sheriff's office.
A monthly Neighborhood Watch Newsletter and crime statistics.
Information about available resources and services.
How to Organize a Neighborhood Watch:
Step One: Getting started
Determine the area you want to organize. This should be the area you consider your "neighborhood". Groups range in size from 5 to 250 households. The larger the area, the greater the protection.
Find neighbors to assist you. These people will form your initial group of Neighborhood Watch Volunteers. A good number would be one person per 8 to 10 households. Determine the best night of the week for a presentation. Most Neighborhood Watch presentations are held during the evening hours, Fridays and weekends are not recommended.
Step Two: Contact Crime Prevention to schedule speakers
Contact Crime Prevention, 503-846-2579. For presentations in Spanish, call 503-846-2522.
Arrange a meeting location close to your neighborhood. It should have enough room to hold your invited neighbors and for the use of audio visual aids such as an overhead projector. Most public places offer the use of a classroom free of charge to Neighborhood Watch groups.
Your Crime Prevention Specialist will design your invitation for your distribution.
Step Three: Invite your neighbors
Distribute the invitations at least 2 weeks prior to the meeting. The most effective way to do this is to ask the Neighborhood Watch volunteers to hand-carry them to neighbors and ask if they will attend. Get names and phone numbers if possible to make reminder calls later.
Distribute a meeting "reminder" notice 3 days before the meeting or make personal phone calls.
Step Four: Prepare a neighborhood map
Prepare a Neighborhood Watch area map or plat plan showing names, phone numbers and street number of each household. Plat maps are available from title companies at a nominal charge. If you tell them what the map is for, they may offer it at no charge.
Step Five: The presentation
Plan for an hour-and-a-half to two-hour presentation.
At the presentation you will:
Identify concerns and develop an action plan.
Learn crime prevention techniques such as home security, personal safety and Operation Identification.
Learn how to report suspicious activity.
Meet your neighbors and establish a communication network (telephone tree).
Recruit your Coordinator and Block Captains.
You will learn how to order Neighborhood Watch signs.
Step Six: Maintenance
Once your neighborhood has been organized, maintaining interest in Neighborhood Watch is important. It's too easy for us to forget to keep that vigilance we thought was so important in the beginning. Some groups maintain interest by planning neighborhood outings, meetings, summer picnics and passing out the Neighborhood Watch Newsletter every month.
Thank you for taking those first important steps to organize your neighborhood to help fight crime in your area. If the Sheriff's Office can be of any further assistance, please call us at 846-2579.