It’s possible that the Occupy Minnesota protesters camping out at the Hennepin County Government Center plazas in downtown Minneapolis will be forced to find other sleeping quarters come next week.

On Tuesday, the Hennepin County Board will vote on a new policy on public use of the county’s Government Center grounds. That’s where Occupy participants have stayed nonstop since their “occupation” began Oct. 7.

Under the policy that commissioners will consider Tuesday, no one would be permitted to sleep outside the Government Center, store their goods and tape posters or signs there.

Also, no portable toilets would be allowed without approval from County Administrator Richard Johnson.

A proposed board resolution says “this is a new and unexpected use of the plazas,” and notes that the county has never before allowed a long-term occupation of the property.

The new restrictions would take effect on Monday. The policy would have no impact on protests and demonstrations, which could continue at any time on the plazas.

Last week, county officials said they needed to reduce the space taken up by the occupation to prepare the grounds for the coming of winter. They proposed restricting sleeping on the plazas between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. once heavy snow falls and temperatures plunge.

About 35 to 40 people have slept in sleeping bags around the Government Center every night since the protest began, county officials say.

Occupy Minnesota participants have said they’re talking about finding indoor space to continue the protest against Wall Street and big banks.

