Liability should be one of your major considerations when you enter into a fee-recreation enterprise. In general, if you
decide to impose a fee for any recreational activity conducted on your land or land you are in possession and control of
(rent or lease), you are exposed to greater liabilities for any injury of visitors that may occur. Meet with your attorney and
insurance agent to determine the extent of liability and insurance needed and to develop a risk management plan.
The landowner or user in possession and control of the land is obligated to make reasonable use of the property, which
causes no unreasonable harm to others in the vicinity. Liability equally applies on land you may be renting or leasing -
ownership is not the key factor.
The extent of your liability toward a person who enters the property and who has potential of being hurt depends on the
status of the visitor. Oregon law defines a visitor as trespasser, licensee, or an invitee.
TRESPASSER: Someone who enters the property of another without consent of the owner. Possessor of the land
(expressed or implied). Consent is simply the owner/possessor’s willingness to let the other person enter or remain on the
land. Someone you ask to leave, but who stays, becomes a trespasser. Someone who walks past a “No Trespassing” sign
is generally a trespasser.
Trespassers enter the property for their own purposes and not for the performance of any obligation to the landowner. In
Oregon law, trespass may be classed as intentional, reckless, negligent, or without fault. Since the trespasser has no
authority to enter the property, the landowner has no duty to warn about dangerous conditions or activities on the
property. Exceptions are where significant numbers of trespassers are known to frequent the area or where young children
are involved.
In general, the landowner is not liable for injuries to trespassers caused by a landowner’s failure to exercise reasonable
care to put the land in safe condition for them, except if there is willful, wanton, or reckless action on the part of the
landowner (actions by the landowner intended to cause injury or reckless disregard or indifference to human safety).
LICENSEES: A licensee is someone who comes onto your land with consent. The licensee generally is on your premises
without business or commercial reason. Social guests fall in the category of licensee. A public officer who enters a
premise in the line of duty is a licensee.
The duty owed to licensees depends on whether the injury is caused by a condition of the land or activities on the land. As
a condition of the land, a possessor/owner is liable for willful or wanton acts or gross negligence. As to activities on the
land, the possessor/owner has the duty to exercise reasonable care for the protection of the licensee. You are not required
to put the land (natural conditions) in safe condition for licensees, but must warn licensees of dangerous conditions and
activities.
There are a number of ways to reduce liability exposure, such as:
1. Knowing the statutes and regulations that apply to fee recreation land use
2. Having a formal fee-recreation property use agreement with clientele
3. Having adequate liability insurance that covers all fee-recreation activities
4. Incorporating the business
5. Selecting the clients that use your property; and,
6. Providing a tour of the property to all clients and explaining any known potential hazards.
Agri-Tourism Workbook 53 Agri-Business Council of Oregon
The licensee classification is especially important with respect to the use of land for recreational purposes.
Recreationists using the land with permission, but without a fee imposed, would likely be considered licensees in
Oregon.
Oregon law provides considerable protection to landowners against injury liability to licensees if the disclosure
requirements are met.
INVITEES: Someone who enters or remains on the property at the expressed or implied invitation of the
owner/possessor for the benefit of the inviter, or the mutual benefit of the owner/inviter and the invitee.
Invitees come in two forms: public or business.
A public invitee is a person who is invited to enter or remain on the land as a member of the public for the purpose to
which the land is held open to the public. A business invitee is a person who is invited to enter or remain on the land for
a purpose directly or indirectly connected with business dealings.
In general, the landowner’s liability obligations are the highest under an invitee situation, less with a licensee, and even
less with the trespasser.
In the case of the invitee, the owner/possessor’s obligations may include inspecting the property, warning of dangers,
removing dangerous conditions, curtailing dangerous activities, etc. The owner must exercise reasonable care to make
the premises reasonably safe. Merely posting warning signs is not enough.
Law Changes:
The 1995 Oregon Legislature enacted House Bill 2296 to grant immunity to landowners who directly or indirectly
permit persons to use their land for recreational uses, woodcutting, or the harvest of special forest products without
charge. (Landowners may charge up to $20 per cord for permission to use the land for woodcutting and still maintain
the immunity protection).
Under the statute, the landowner/possessor is not liable in contract or tort for any personal injury, death, or property
damage that arises out of use of the land as long as there are no fees paid (with the exception noted above).
Equine activity:
The 1995 Oregon Legislature also adopted ORS 30.687-30.697 to limit liability for damages to persons harmed in the
course of equine activities. The law provides that, with some exceptions, an equine activity sponsor or professional is
not liable for injury or death arising out of riding, training, driving, grooming, or riding as a passenger on a horse. The
limitation does not apply to a situation involving a race, or to situations of willful or wanton disregard for safety or
intentional actions.
Other Forms of Liability:
Alcoholic beverages: Other activities associated with a fee-recreation event or activity may result in additional types of
liability. For example, if intoxicating beverages are served at a cost, the owner/operator is required to carry liquor legal
liability insurance (see additional information on liquor licensing)
Transportation: If transportation is provided (carrying paying guests around in a personal automobile), a commercial
auto policy is needed. Your regular auto coverage will not cover commercial use of the vehicle.
Agri-Tourism Workbook 54 Agri-Business Council of Oregon
Vicarious liability: Additionally, the possessor of land is not only responsible for his/her own actions, but also for the
acts of persons acting on their behalf. This may include an employee or even an independent contractor (pack guides,
boatmen, for example).
Off-farm liability: If an activity sponsored on the farm causes harm, hazard, or injury to people outside the farm, other
forms of liability are involved. These are the customary issues of trespass, chemical drift, spread of fire from one party’s
property to another, seepage of water onto adjacent lands, mining onto another’s property, projecting a foundation across
a boundary line, etc. Some activities may also cause nuisance to an off-farm party that causes liability. The risks
identified may seem onerous and discouraging, but there are insurance companies willing to work with you to protect
your interests through policy coverage.
Nuisance and Right to Farm:
The 1993 Legislature adopted a “Right to Farm” law (ORS 30.930) that set limits on liability for many farm and forest
practices. Whether the law will be of assistance in a claim created by a recreational use on farm land will depend on
whether the circumstances fall within the guidelines set forth in the statute. The activity must meet the criteria of a
“farming practice” to receive the immunity protection.
Fanning practices is defined as an activity that is or may be used on a farm of a similar nature; generally accepted,
reasonable and prudent as a method for operation on a farm that is in business for profit; compatible with applicable
laws; and is done in a reasonable and prudent manner.
Solve Problems Early:
Without getting into the details of the law, an important point here is that a successful recreation activity, done in
conjunction with on-going farming activities, should have the support and understanding of neighbors, local officials, and
other affected parties. If there are issues that create concern or disagreement, you should address these with the respective
parties as soon as possible. One method for doing this is through mediation — the use of an impartial third party neutral
mediator who assists the interested parties to find a common resolution to the problem. The Oregon Department of
Agriculture offers mediation services through its Farm Mediation Program. For information, contact the program
coordinator at (503) 986-4558 or (800) 347-7028.
Agri-Tourism Workbook 55 Agri-Business Council of Oregon
BUSINESS STRUCTURE
Incorporating a recreational business may be one way to ease the burden of liability. In theory, an individual is not liable
for any assets other than those he or she has invested in the corporation. Other types of organizations with some potential
for limiting liabilities of their owners are limited partnerships and limited liability companies.
LIABILITY INSURANCE
Adequate liability insurance is imperative. Most policies that cover general farm and ranch activities do not cover
recreational activities on the land. You will either need to add a rider to your existing policy or get a new policy with
one of the companies that provide insurance for your particular activity.
Liability insurance coverage for a fee recreation activity is generally written in $100,000, $300,000, $500,000 and
$1,000,000 packages. As a rule, you should maintain enough liability insurance coverage to protect personal assets
as much as economically possible. Additionally, if you plan to hire a hunting, fishing, or packing guide for your
operation, Oregon statutes require the guide to have minimum liability coverage of $300,000.
Premium rates vary among insurance companies, based on the exposure of risk for a particular fee-recreation activity. The
rates are affected by the portion of the enterprise devoted to recreation and type of activities. Additionally, your
managerial capability as an operator appears to be significant in determining premiums.
Some questions for consideration regarding insurance for your enterprise are:
1. Is the difference between the premium for the insurance and the income gained enough to offset each
other and still allow a sufficient financial gain to make the venture worthwhile?
2. Can you realistically pass the costs of insurance on to the customer, or will the cost decrease the customer
demand for the activity?
The following activities will be reviewed very closely by an insurance company and will involve special coverage if
available:
• Hunting
• Fishing
• Lodging
• Food Services
• Alcohol
• Animals, especially horses
• Landing strips on the property
Keep in mind that employees who change job functions because of the new activity may be placed in different work
classifications resulting in changes in workers compensation premium costs as well.
Agri-Tourism Workbook 56 Agri-Business Council of Oregon
Selecting Insurance Based on Your Recreational Activities
Generally, the following activities will be viewed as Commercial Insurance subject to a separate policy from the general
farm or ranch policy coverage:
• Boating, Canoeing, Rafting
• Clay Bird Shooting or other Shooting Events
• Elder Hostel Programs
• Exotic Animal Farms
• Fee Hunting and Fishing
• Festivals, Concerts, and Special Events
• Guest or Dude Ranches
• Horseback Riding; Horse, Mule, and Llama Pack Teams
• Hunting Dog Trials and Training
• Hunting Preserves
• Moto-Cross, ATV, Snowmobile, and Mountain Bike Riding
• Seasonal Festivals and Celebrations
• Wineries and Breweries
In general, the following activities can be made part of a farm or ranch insurance policy by endorsements. Each activity is
always viewed on its own merit:
• Bed and Breakfast
• Farmers Markets
• Roadside Markets
• School Youth Tours
• Technical Tours
• Working Farm (viewing and limited participation)
Questions to ask in comparing insurance coverage:
1. Is there a deductible?
2. Does the insurance apply to:
• Your premises and operations liability?
• Your products and operations liability?
• Your contractual liability to others?
• Your personal injury liability to others (libel, slander, invasion of privacy)?
• Your advertising injury to others?
• Your property liability damage to others?
• Incidental medical malpractice liability resulting from aiding an injured person?
• Non-owned watercraft liability?
• Host liquor liability?
• Court costs for defense (above limit or included in liability policy limit)?
3. Are employees added as additional insureds?
4. Are there additional charges for adding public land management agencies, such as the U.S. Forest
Service, BLM, or Oregon Marine Board as additional insured?
5. Is the premium a set fee, based on a percentage of gross sales, or client days?
6. Do you have to join an association to get insurance?
7. Are there representations in the policy that the guests or operators must adhere to for a claim to be
honored?
8. Does the insurance agent understand your proposed fee-recreation business?
Agri-Tourism Workbook 57 Agri-Business Council of Oregon
• Waiver of liability: as an additional protection you may want to incorporate principles of firearms safety, require
successful completion of hunter safety or horse riding basics, prohibit use of alcohol with certain activities, etc.
• Acknowledgment and assumption of risk: describe the nature of the property (i.e., wild land with barbed-wire fences,
logs, poison ivy, wild animals, uneven terrain, etc.) and the activities (horse riding, fishing, etc.), and then have the
lessee/guest accept the risks such activities can have.
• Insurance: with this provision, you may want to have the user agree to carry liability insurance and to name you in the
policy as an insured.
• Conditions of cancellation, renegotiation, or renewal: a list of conditions necessary m the case either party wishes to
terminate, renegotiate or renew an agreement for various reasons.
• Mediating differences: This arrangement may reduce the probability of disagreements resulting in litigation. Specify
that any problems arising from the agreement or the use of the property, including injury, will first be addressed in
mediation before either party resorts to legal action.
• Payment specify the rate to be paid, how payment is to be made—where, when, etc., and the provisions for failure to
pay.
• Damage deposit: this provision would cover damages the lessee does to the property that are not repaired by the lessee.
The deposit would be returned to the lessee if damages do not occur.
• Miscellaneous: other sections or provisions may include gates and fences, trespass enforcement, in-kind services
provided by the user (fence construction, wildlife crop planting, etc.), limitations of the number of campers or overnight
recreational vehicles in certain areas, use of campfires or cooking fires, garbage, sanitation, other guest policies, etc.
• Signatures: finally, complete the agreement with the printed name and address of each member of the recreation group,
followed by their signatures and the date of each person’s signing.