Oregon Revised Statutes

Or. Rev. Stat. § 105.688 (2026)

Applicability of immunities from liability for owner of land; restrictions

✓ current as of May 2026
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      105.688 Applicability of immunities from liability for owner of land; restrictions. (1) Except as specifically provided in ORS 105.672 to 105.696, the immunities provided by ORS 105.682 apply to:

      (a) All land, including but not limited to land adjacent or contiguous to any bodies of water, watercourses or the ocean shore as defined by ORS 390.605;

      (b) All roads, bodies of water, watercourses, rights of way, buildings, fixtures and structures on the land described in paragraph (a) of this subsection;

      (c) All paths, trails, roads, watercourses and other rights of way, while being used by a person to reach land for recreational purposes, gardening, woodcutting or the harvest of special forest products, that are on land adjacent to the land that the person intends to use for recreational purposes, gardening, woodcutting or the harvest of special forest products, provided that:

      (A) The right of way has not been improved, designed or maintained for the specific purpose of providing access for recreational purposes, gardening, woodcutting or the harvest of special forest products; or

      (B)(i) The right of way has been improved, designed or maintained to provide access for recreational purposes, gardening, woodcutting or the harvest of special forest products;

      (ii) The right of way is not a highway under the jurisdiction of a road authority under ORS 810.010; and

      (iii) The improvement, design or maintenance was completed in a manner that does not constitute:

      (I) Gross negligence or reckless, wanton or intentional misconduct; or

      (II) An activity for which the actor is strictly liable without regard to fault; and

      (d) All machinery or equipment on the land described in paragraph (a) of this subsection.

      (2) The immunities provided by ORS 105.682 apply to land if the owner transfers an easement to a public body to use the land.

      (3) Except as provided in subsections (4) to (7) of this section, the immunities provided by ORS 105.682 do not apply if the owner makes any charge for permission to use the land for recreational purposes, gardening, woodcutting or the harvest of special forest products.

      (4) If the owner charges for permission to use the owner’s land for one or more specific recreational purposes and the owner provides notice in the manner provided by subsection (8) of this section, the immunities provided by ORS 105.682 apply to any use of the land other than the activities for which the charge is imposed. If the owner charges for permission to use a specified part of the owner’s land for recreational purposes and the owner provides notice in the manner provided by subsection (8) of this section, the immunities provided by ORS 105.682 apply to the remainder of the owner’s land.

      (5) The immunities provided by ORS 105.682 for gardening do not apply if the owner charges more than $25 per year for the use of the land for gardening. If the owner charges more than $25 per year for the use of the land for gardening, the immunities provided by ORS 105.682 apply to any use of the land other than gardening. If the owner charges more than $25 per year for permission to use a specific part of the owner’s land for gardening and the owner provides notice in the manner provided by subsection (8) of this section, the immunities provided by ORS 105.682 apply to the remainder of the owner’s land.

      (6) The immunities provided by ORS 105.682 for woodcutting do not apply if the owner charges more than $75 per cord for permission to use the land for woodcutting. If the owner charges more than $75 per cord for the use of the land for woodcutting, the immunities provided by ORS 105.682 apply to any use of the land other than woodcutting. If the owner charges more than $75 per cord for permission to use a specific part of the owner’s land for woodcutting and the owner provides notice in the manner provided by subsection (8) of this section, the immunities provided by ORS 105.682 apply to the remainder of the owner’s land.

      (7) The immunities provided by ORS 105.682 for the harvest of special forest products do not apply if the owner makes any charge for permission to use the land for the harvest of special forest products. If the owner charges for permission to use the owner’s land for the harvest of special forest products, the immunities provided by ORS 105.682 apply to any use of the land other than the harvest of special forest products. If the owner charges for permission to use a specific part of the owner’s land for harvesting special forest products and the owner provides notice in the manner provided by subsection (8) of this section, the immunities provided by ORS 105.682 apply to the remainder of the owner’s land.

      (8) Notices under subsections (4) to (7) of this section may be given by posting, as part of a receipt, or by such other means as may be reasonably calculated to apprise a person of:

      (a) The limited uses of the land for which the charge is made, and the immunities provided under ORS 105.682 for other uses of the land; or

      (b) The portion of the land the use of which is subject to the charge, and the immunities provided under ORS 105.682 for the remainder of the land. [1995 c.456 §4; 1999 c.872 §7; 2001 c.206 §1; 2009 c.532 §2; 2010 c.52 §2; 2024 c.64 §§7,10; 2025 c.220 §3]

 

      105.689 [1979 c.434 §3; repealed by 1995 c.456 §9]

 

      105.691 [1979 c.434 §4; repealed by 1995 c.456 §9]

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 31 cases (12 in the last 5 years), 2000–2025 · leading case: Coleman v. Oregon Parks & Rec. Dep't, 217 P.3d 651 (Or. 2009).
Coleman v. Oregon Parks & Rec. Dep't, 217 P.3d 651 (Or. 2009). · cites it 36× “682 grants immunity to landowners who open their land to the public for recreational purposes: "(1) Except as provided by subsection (2) of this section, and subject to the provisions of ORS 105.688, an owner of land is not liable in contract or tort for any personal injury,…”
Stedman v. Dept. of Forestry, 502 P.3d 234 (Or. Ct. App. 2021). · cites it 9× “As the state argues, plaintiff’s theory would make a fishing license seem to be a “charge” eliminating recre- ational immunity on state lands and waters.”
Fields v. City of Newport, 533 P.3d 384 (Or. Ct. App. 2023). · cites it 39× “The lim- itation on liability provided by this section applies if the principal purpose for entry upon the land is for recreational purposes * * * and is not affected if the injury * * * occurs while the person entering land is engaging in activities other than the use of the…”
Liberty v. State, Dep't of Transp., 148 P.3d 909 (Or. 2006). · cites it 5× “682(1) provides: “Except as provided by subsection (2) of this section, and subject to the provisions of ORS 105.688, an owner of land is not liable in contract or tort for any personal injury, death or property damage that arises out of the use of the land for recreational…”
Coleman v. Oregon Parks & Rec. Dep't, 190 P.3d 487 (Or. Ct. App. 2008). · cites it 9× “688, an owner of land is not liable in contract or tort for any personal injury, death or property damage that arises out of the use of the land for recreational purposes * * * when the owner of land either directly or indirectly permits any person to use the land for…”
Brewer v. Dep't of Fish & Wildlife, 2 P.3d 418 (Or. Ct. App. 2000). · cites it 6× “682(1) provides: "Except as provided by subsection (2) of this section [pertaining to intentional injuries], and subject to the provisions of ORS 105.688 [limiting immunity to those who do not charge for use of the land or who charge no more than $20 per cord for woodcutting on…”
Johnson v. Gibson, 369 P.3d 1151 (Or. 2016). · cites it 3× “We begin with the first question posed and the text of the Oregon Public Use of Lands Act, which provides, in part: “Except as provided by subsection (2) of this section, and subject to the provisions of ORS 105.688, an owner of land is not liable in contract or tort for any…”
McCormick v. State Parks & Rec. Dept., 466 P.3d 10 (Or. 2020). · cites it 5× “682 provides: “(1) Except as provided by subsection (2) of this sec- tion, and subject to the provisions of ORS 105.688,[3] an owner of land is not liable in contract or tort for any personal injury, death or property damage that arises out of the use of the land for…”
Landis v. Limbaugh, 385 P.3d 1139 (Or. Ct. App. 2016). · cites it 3× “688, an owner of land is not liable in contract or tort for any personal injury, death or property damage that arises out of the use of the land for recreational purposes, gardening, woodcutting or the harvest of special forest products when the owner of land either directly or…”
McCormick v. State Parks & Rec. Dept., 482 P.3d 187 (Or. Ct. App. 2020). · cites it 3× “Under ORS 105.688, the state would not, in general, be entitled to recreational immunity under ORS 105.”
Waggoner v. City of Woodburn, 103 P.3d 648 (Or. Ct. App. 2004). · cites it 3× “The applicability of the statutory immunity is further described in ORS 105.688, which provides, in part, that, subject to exceptions not pertinent to this case, “the immunities provided by ORS 105.”
Liberty v. State, 116 P.3d 902 (Or. Ct. App. 2005). · cites it 2× “First, it argues that we need not determine whether using its property for mere access to another property for recreational purposes is itself a recreational purpose within the meaning of the statute because another statute — ORS 105.688 — provides that the immunity provided in…”
— Or. Rev. Stat. § 105.688(1) — 2 cases
Murphy v. City of Cannon Beach, 566 P.3d 19 (Or. Ct. App. 2025).
Murphy v. City of Cannon Beach, 338 Or. App. 104 (Or. Ct. App. 2025).
— Or. Rev. Stat. § 105.688(1)(a) — 2 cases
Fields v. City of Newport, 533 P.3d 384 (Or. Ct. App. 2023). “The lim- itation on liability provided by this section applies if the principal purpose for entry upon the land is for recreational purposes * * * and is not affected if the injury * * * occurs while the person entering land is engaging in activities other than the use of the…”
Fields v. City of Newport (Or. Ct. App. 2023).
— Or. Rev. Stat. § 105.688(1)(b) — 3 cases
Brewer v. Dep't of Fish & Wildlife, 2 P.3d 418 (Or. Ct. App. 2000). “682(1) provides: "Except as provided by subsection (2) of this section [pertaining to intentional injuries], and subject to the provisions of ORS 105.688 [limiting immunity to those who do not charge for use of the land or who charge no more than $20 per cord for woodcutting on…”
Freeby v. Hoodoo Ski Bowl Developers, Inc., 344 Or. App. 216 (Or. Ct. App. 2025).
Freeby v. Hoodoo Ski Bowl Developers, Inc., 344 Or. App. 216 (Or. Ct. App. 2025).
— Or. Rev. Stat. § 105.688(1)(c) — 5 cases
Fields v. City of Newport, 533 P.3d 384 (Or. Ct. App. 2023). “The lim- itation on liability provided by this section applies if the principal purpose for entry upon the land is for recreational purposes * * * and is not affected if the injury * * * occurs while the person entering land is engaging in activities other than the use of the…”
Murphy v. City of Cannon Beach, 566 P.3d 19 (Or. Ct. App. 2025).
Murphy v. City of Cannon Beach, 338 Or. App. 104 (Or. Ct. App. 2025).
Laxer v. City of Portland, 567 P.3d 491 (Or. Ct. App. 2025).
Fields v. City of Newport (Or. Ct. App. 2023).
— Or. Rev. Stat. § 105.688(2)(a) — 6 cases
Coleman v. Oregon Parks & Rec. Dep't, 217 P.3d 651 (Or. 2009). “682 grants immunity to landowners who open their land to the public for recreational purposes: "(1) Except as provided by subsection (2) of this section, and subject to the provisions of ORS 105.688, an owner of land is not liable in contract or tort for any personal injury,…”
Coleman v. Oregon Parks & Rec. Dep't, 190 P.3d 487 (Or. Ct. App. 2008). “688, an owner of land is not liable in contract or tort for any personal injury, death or property damage that arises out of the use of the land for recreational purposes * * * when the owner of land either directly or indirectly permits any person to use the land for…”
Johnson v. Gibson, 369 P.3d 1151 (Or. 2016). “We begin with the first question posed and the text of the Oregon Public Use of Lands Act, which provides, in part: “Except as provided by subsection (2) of this section, and subject to the provisions of ORS 105.688, an owner of land is not liable in contract or tort for any…”
Stedman v. Dept. of Forestry, 502 P.3d 234 (Or. Ct. App. 2021). “As the state argues, plaintiff’s theory would make a fishing license seem to be a “charge” eliminating recre- ational immunity on state lands and waters.”
Stringer v. United States Dep't of Agric. (Forest Serv.), 63 F. Supp. 3d 1269 (D. Or. 2014).
— Or. Rev. Stat. § 105.688(2)(c) — 1 case
Coleman v. Oregon Parks & Rec. Dep't, 217 P.3d 651 (Or. 2009). “682 grants immunity to landowners who open their land to the public for recreational purposes: "(1) Except as provided by subsection (2) of this section, and subject to the provisions of ORS 105.688, an owner of land is not liable in contract or tort for any personal injury,…”
— Or. Rev. Stat. § 105.688(3) — 9 cases
Stedman v. Dept. of Forestry, 502 P.3d 234 (Or. Ct. App. 2021). “As the state argues, plaintiff’s theory would make a fishing license seem to be a “charge” eliminating recre- ational immunity on state lands and waters.”
Johnson v. Gibson, 369 P.3d 1151 (Or. 2016). “We begin with the first question posed and the text of the Oregon Public Use of Lands Act, which provides, in part: “Except as provided by subsection (2) of this section, and subject to the provisions of ORS 105.688, an owner of land is not liable in contract or tort for any…”
McCormick v. State Parks & Rec. Dept., 466 P.3d 10 (Or. 2020). “682 provides: “(1) Except as provided by subsection (2) of this sec- tion, and subject to the provisions of ORS 105.688,[3] an owner of land is not liable in contract or tort for any personal injury, death or property damage that arises out of the use of the land for…”
McCormick v. State Parks & Rec. Dept., 482 P.3d 187 (Or. Ct. App. 2020). “Under ORS 105.688, the state would not, in general, be entitled to recreational immunity under ORS 105.”
Osgood v. State of Oregon, 342 Or. App. 154 (Or. Ct. App. 2025).
— Or. Rev. Stat. § 105.688(4) — 2 cases
Freeby v. Hoodoo Ski Bowl Developers, Inc., 344 Or. App. 216 (Or. Ct. App. 2025).
Freeby v. Hoodoo Ski Bowl Developers, Inc., 344 Or. App. 216 (Or. Ct. App. 2025).
— Or. Rev. Stat. § 105.688(8) — 1 case
Stringer v. United States Dep't of Agric. (Forest Serv.), 63 F. Supp. 3d 1269 (D. Or. 2014).
— Or. Rev. Stat. § 105.688(l)(a) — 3 cases
Liberty v. State, Dep't of Transp., 148 P.3d 909 (Or. 2006). “682(1) provides: “Except as provided by subsection (2) of this section, and subject to the provisions of ORS 105.688, an owner of land is not liable in contract or tort for any personal injury, death or property damage that arises out of the use of the land for recreational…”
Waggoner v. City of Woodburn, 103 P.3d 648 (Or. Ct. App. 2004). “The applicability of the statutory immunity is further described in ORS 105.688, which provides, in part, that, subject to exceptions not pertinent to this case, “the immunities provided by ORS 105.”
Kelly v. Hochberg, 217 P.3d 699 (Or. Ct. App. 2009).
— Or. Rev. Stat. § 105.688(l)(b) — 3 cases
Kelly v. Hochberg, 243 P.3d 62 (Or. 2010).
Brewer v. Dep't of Fish & Wildlife, 2 P.3d 418 (Or. Ct. App. 2000). “682(1) provides: "Except as provided by subsection (2) of this section [pertaining to intentional injuries], and subject to the provisions of ORS 105.688 [limiting immunity to those who do not charge for use of the land or who charge no more than $20 per cord for woodcutting on…”
Kelly v. Hochberg, 217 P.3d 699 (Or. Ct. App. 2009).
Annotations are extracted automatically from the opinions in the Syfert caselaw corpus and ranked by authority, recency, and treatment. Dots show Syfertize treatment of the citing case itself.