City of Roseburg Issues Nuisance Notice to 79-Year-Old Homeowner Over Alleged Camping She Did Not Create

ROSEBURG, Ore. — A 79-year-old Roseburg homeowner is facing potential legal action from the City of Roseburg after receiving a formal “Notice to Abate Nuisance” for conditions she says she did not cause and cannot control.

The notice, dated December 3, 2025, was issued by the City of Roseburg Community Development Department and addressed to Linda Daly, the owner of a property on NE Stephens Street. The notice cites alleged violations for “prohibited camping” and “debris” and warns that failure to correct the issue could result in court prosecution.

The letter states:

“FAILURE TO ABATE THE NUISANCE MAY RESULT IN COURT PROSECUTION.”

The notice gives the homeowner 10 days to correct the alleged violations or face enforcement action. It also requires a $306 appeal fee if she wishes to challenge the determination.

“This Is Not My Mess”

Handwritten notes on the notice, written by Daly herself, express frustration and disbelief. In one line, she wrote:

“I believe this is YOUR mess.”

Daly, who is disabled and lives on less than $1,000 per month from Social Security, says she did not create the conditions described in the notice and has no ability to remove or control them.

According to Daly, the debris and camping activity referenced by the city originated from an encampment near Deer Creek Park, located below her property. She says the activity migrated upward and onto areas adjacent to her land without her permission or involvement.

Threat of Prosecution

The language used in the notice has raised concerns among community members. While nuisance cases are often handled as civil matters, the document explicitly warns of prosecution, a term typically associated with criminal enforcement.

The notice also states that if the city abates the nuisance itself, it may bill the property owner for cleanup costs and place a lien on the property if those costs are not paid.

Limited Options for Appeal

Under the city’s process, Daly has just 10 days to file an appeal and must pay a $306 fee to do so. For someone living on a fixed income, that cost alone may limit access to the appeals process.

Community Concerns

Residents familiar with the situation say the case raises concerns about how nuisance enforcement is applied, particularly when vulnerable residents are involved and when the alleged violations stem from activity they did not create.

Critics argue that enforcement efforts should focus on the source of the issue rather than penalizing elderly or disabled homeowners who lack the physical or financial ability to resolve it.

Property Management and Cleanup Efforts

Following the notice, Bernie Woodard of Elk Island Trading Group, LLC said his company has entered into an agreement with Linda Daly and the Linda Daly Living Trust to manage and maintain the property.

Woodard said the situation dates back several years, when Daly became seriously ill and had to leave the area to receive medical treatment in Portland. During that time, he said the property was broken into and sustained significant damage, including broken windows and vandalism.

According to Woodard, the city later informed Daly that the property was not habitable, preventing her from returning to live there. He said Elk Island Trading Group later worked to repair the property, replacing windows and addressing other damage, but eventually stepped away after continued challenges.

Woodard said that more recently, the property was again damaged, with windows broken and debris accumulating. Over the past weekend, he said he personally removed approximately 18 trespassers from the site.

He said his company is now actively cleaning and securing the property and will continue maintaining it to prevent further trespassing or deterioration.

What Happens Next

It remains unclear whether the City of Roseburg will pursue enforcement or prosecution if the conditions remain unchanged. Daly said she reached out to Elk Island Trading, LLC for help after receiving the notice, concerned she could face legal consequences for circumstances outside her control.

The situation highlights broader questions about homelessness, enforcement practices, and how municipalities balance public safety with compassion and fairness.