Council staff are set to meet community board representatives next month to discuss whether they want designated camping areas in their respective areas, as a way of controlling freedom campers and addressing health and safety issues.
Camping is permitted only in designated camping grounds.
DCC Community and Recreation Services policy team leader Lisa Wheeler said people continued to freedom camp around the city despite the ban, which proved difficult to enforce.
Issues over people freedom camping in ecologically sensitive areas, and the inappropriate disposal of waste had resulted in a decision to review the policy, she said.
If community boards decided they wanted designated freedom camping areas, then the council would need to consider facilities, such as toilets, and water, if they were not provided, Mrs Wheeler said.
It was timely to review the freedom camping policy, particularly with the influx of visitors expected for next year's Rugby World Cup.
A draft policy could be out for consultation by the end of March.
DCC marketing communications manager Debra Simes said the council was also working on an integrated transport plan for the Rugby World Cup to accommodate the large number of fans expected from England, Scotland and Ireland.
Those arriving in campervans would be referred to one of the holiday parks, with the anticipated "overflow" encouraged to stay at designated parking sites near the Dunedin Railway Station, she said.
Otago Peninsula Community Board member and Portobello policeman Lox Kellas said he would welcome a designated area for freedom campers in an effort to prevent health and safety issues on the peninsula.
It was not uncommon to discover fecal matter and litter left behind from occupants of non self-contained vehicles, and the issue needed to be addressed.
Last week, three Spanish tourists spent three hours picking up human waste at Te Anau, after being caught defecating on a grass verge on a residential street, as their van was not equipped with a toilet.
The Otago Conservation Board hit the headlines earlier this year after a board member demanded a national ban as a way of addressing freedom camping issues, particularly human waste and rubbish being left behind.
However, the New Zealand Conservation Authority turned down a request from the Otago Conservation Board to investigate freedom camping, as it fell outside the role of its authority.
Under the New Zealand Litter Act (1979), people leaving litter in a public or private area can be liable to a fine of up to $5000.
If the litter causes danger, physical injury to any person, or disease or infection, i.e. from human waste, then the offender could be imprisoned for up to one month or fined up to $7500.
