Oregon Short-Term Rental Regulations Guide (2025 Edition)

Short-term rental (STR) laws in Oregon are a patchwork of local rules. Unlike some states, Oregon has no single statewide STR permit – instead, every city or county sets its own regulations. This comprehensive guide breaks down the current STR rules by county, and city. We’ll cover permits, zoning restrictions, taxes, caps, neighborhood activism, enforcement trends, and upcoming changes. If you own (or plan to own) a vacation rental in Oregon, use this as your roadmap to stay compliant and be a responsible host. While we try to keep this up to date, rules can change quickly so please make sure to check with local regulations and permitting offices. 

Did You Know? Oregon levies a 1.5% state Transient Lodging Tax on short-term rentals statewide. All STR hosts must register to collect and remit this tax (on top of local city/county lodging taxes). Even unpermitted rentals are expected to pay–for example, Portland officials collect taxes from unregistered Airbnbs and conduct audits to ensure compliance. Failing to pay lodging taxes can result in penalties or back-tax audits, so it’s critical to register with the state and your local tax authority before hosting.

Throughout this guide, we include direct links to official resources – permit applications, municipal codes, tax portals, and more – so you can verify requirements and start any necessary applications. We also highlight community sentiments and political trends shaping STR rules because being informed of the local climate is key to responsible hosting.

Need Help Navigating Compliance? Cascadia Getaways specializes in Oregon STR management and keeps up with each locality’s rules. Schedule a no-pressure consultation with our team to ensure your rental is set up for success and fully compliant with the latest regulations. We’re here to help you thrive as a responsible STR owner in Oregon.

Oregon Statewide Rules & Taxation

At the state level, Oregon’s involvement in STR regulation is relatively limited but important. There is no state-run STR license; local governments set the licensing rules. However, two key state laws apply everywhere in Oregon: tax collection and an ADU rental restriction.

• State Lodging Multnomah Co. Tax Tax (TLT) – Oregon imposes a 1.5% state tax on gross rental revenues for stays under 30 days. Every short-term rental host must register with the Oregon Department of Revenue to report this tax (typically filed quarterly, often combined with local tax filings). Airbnb and Expedia automatically collect the 1.5% state tax (and many local taxes) for hosts in Oregon, but if you’re taking direct bookings, Vrbo or other Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) you must handle this yourself by registering and filing returns. Note that hosts are allowed to keep a 5% collection reimbursement from the state tax as compensation for administering it. All amounts must be reported, and authorities do enforce tax compliance even if a rental isn’t officially permitted. The state lodging tax primarily funds Travel Oregon (the state tourism agency).
• Proposed House Bill 2977, which passed the House but not yet the Senate, would raise TLT from 1.5% to 2.5% (+67%) to fund conservation efforts within the state.
  
• Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Law – In 2017, Oregon passed a law prohibiting cities/counties from requiring owner-occupancy on properties with an ADU. This was meant to encourage long-term housing development via ADUs. How does this relate to STRs? It means a city generally cannot force you to live on-site full time as a condition of having an ADU, which indirectly prevents outright bans on using an ADU as a short-term rental in many cases. However, some cities have found workarounds (for example, banning STRs in ADUs specifically by code). Always check local code if you plan to rent out an ADU; state law stops owner-occupancy mandates but does not guarantee the ADU can be a vacation rental if the city forbids it under zoning.
  
• State Fire & Safety Codes – All rentals must comply with basic safety regulations (smoke detectors, carbon monoxide alarms, egress standards, etc.). Oregon’s state building code requires these in any dwelling offered to guests. Many local STR ordinances explicitly require hosts to certify that safety measures are in place (Portland’s permit application, for instance, includes a safety checklist). Even if your area has no STR-specific law, general fire/life safety rules still apply. It’s good practice to document that you have the proper detectors, fire extinguishers, and exits as if an inspector could ask at any time.
  
• Transient Lodging Tax Portal – The Oregon Department of Revenue provides an online system where many jurisdictions (especially smaller cities/counties) piggyback their lodging tax reporting. If your city participates, you can file both state and local lodging taxes in one go. For example, Multnomah County’s 5% tax outside Portland is administered through the state’s portal, and numerous small cities on the coast also use the state system for their local tax. Check your local finance department or the state’s Transient Lodging Tax program page to see if one combined filing covers all your obligations. If not, be prepared for separate filings (e.g. Portland requires a city/county tax filing distinct from the state).
  
• State Enforcement Stance – While Oregon’s legislature hasn’t aggressively intervened in STRs, there is talk of potential state-level actions in the future. Ideas floated include requiring all online listings to display a permit number (to aid enforcement) or creating baseline safety standards statewide. For now (late 2025), the state is mostly hands-off, leaving it to local governments. But the housing affordability crisis has lawmakers watching closely. Any significant changes – like a statewide cap or registry – would be a few years out and subject to intense debate. Responsible hosting now (and paying those taxes) will put the industry in a better light if/when state officials consider new measures.

Bottom line: Know your obligations to the state – register for lodging taxes and keep up with them. Then focus on your city or county, which sets the core rules on whether STRs are allowed, where, and how. Let’s dive into those local regulations region by region.

(Note: The regulations below are current as of late 2025. Always double-check the linked city/county websites for any recent updates before taking action.)

Portland and the Willamette Valley Metro Area

City of Portland (Multnomah County) – Primary Residence Rule and Permit

Portland is Oregon’s largest city and was one of the first to regulate Airbnb-style rentals. Since 2014, Portland has allowed STRs but only if they are in your primary residence – effectively banning vacation “whole-house” rentals in residential zones. Here are Portland’s key rules:

• Types of Permits: Portland defines Accessory Short-Term Rentals (ASTRs) as either Type A (1-2 bedrooms rented to max 5 guests) or Type B (3-5 bedrooms, up to 10 guests, requires a Conditional Use review). In both cases, the dwelling must be owner-occupied or long-term tenant-occupied at least 270 days/year – you must live there most of the time. Renting an entire second home that you don’t live in is not allowed in residential zones. (Some exceptions exist in certain mixed-use or commercial zones, but those are limited and still subject to caps and review.)
  
• 95-Day Rule: Even with a permit, Portland puts a cap on “unhosted” rentals. You can rent out the whole dwelling while you’re away for at most 95 days per year. There is no limit on hosted rentals (renting spare bedrooms while you remain home), but any time you leave and rent the entire unit counts toward that 95-day limit. This rule aims to prevent year-round conversion of homes into mini-hotels, while still allowing residents to travel or take summers off and use Airbnb to help cover the mortgage.
  
• Permit Process: A Type A permit (1-2 bedrooms) is obtained from the Bureau of Development Services. The applicant must provide proof of primary residency (e.g. Oregon driver’s license at that address), pass a basic safety inspection, and notify neighbors within 150 feet that you’re opening an STR. There’s a one-time ~$100 fee for the permit–subject to change. Once approved, you get a permit number that must be included in all listings by city code. A Type B (3-5 bedrooms) requires a more in-depth Conditional Use application with a public hearing, so it’s much rarer (few Type B permits exist, mostly for large historic homes).
  
• Operational Rules: Portland’s code (Chapter 33.207) includes specific requirements: interconnected smoke detectors in bedrooms, a code-compliant carbon monoxide alarm, one off-street parking space if in certain zones, etc.. The owner (or a designated “operator”) must be reachable to respond to complaints. Advertising an STR without a permit is illegal – the city has fined operators and even gone after Airbnb for allowing unlicensed listings. As of 2024, Portland requires platforms to display permit numbers and has agreements to help identify hosts who might be non-compliant.
  
• Enforcement: In 2023–2024, Portland ramped up enforcement with a dedicated STR code enforcement team and a new citation system. Fines for violations are steep – starting around $1,000+ for the first offense and escalating for repeated offenses. The city also launched a data-sharing system: a Portland STR Registry on Portland Maps where neighbors can look up if a property is licensed. By late 2025, there’s talk of further tightening (some advocates want the unhosted 95-day allowance reduced to 30 days), but for now the focus is on enforcing current rules.
  
• Taxes: Portland hosts must collect a 6% city Transient Lodgings Tax plus a 5.5% Multnomah County tax on bookings (total 11.5%). On top of that, the state 1.5% applies, for roughly 13% overall. Airbnb and Vrbo do collect Portland’s tax automatically. If you do direct bookings, you need to register for a city account to remit taxes. Portland also adds a $4/night Tourism Improvement Fee on short rentals. When all combined, guests in Portland pay about ~16% in lodging taxes and fees, one of the higher rates in the state. The revenue is significant – more than $13 million per year from STRs in Portland (city + county taxes) – which the city uses for tourism promotion and general funds. This revenue incentive is one reason the city hasn’t banned STRs outright despite housing concerns.
  
• Political Climate: Portland walks a tightrope – it wants to preserve housing (hence the primary-residence rule) but also capture tourism revenue. The City Council so far appears committed to the current framework rather than imposing numeric caps. Host advocacy groups like “Host2Host” (a nonprofit for Portland home-sharers) have lobbied to keep rules reasonable for owner-occupied STRs, whereas tenant advocates and affordable housing groups periodically call for crackdowns on any rentals taking housing stock. In 2023, the Council directed more resources to enforcement as a compromise: ensure the rules in place are actually followed (they estimated thousands of illegal listings at one point). Expect enforcement to continue tightening – unpermitted “ghost hotels” are being systematically removed from platforms. But truly hosted STRs (spare bedrooms) face little political opposition if they follow the rules.
  

Summary for Portland: If your home is in Portland and you want to STR it, you must live there most of the year and get the city ASTR permit. Stick to the rules (max 2 bedrooms, 5 guests for Type A; 95 days unhosted cap) and pay your taxes. Portland welcomes this “responsible home-sharing” model as a way for residents to earn extra income, but it has zero tolerance for commercial operators running multiple vacation houses. Keep an eye on the city’s STR page for any new administrative rules – for example, in 2024 a new enforcement rule (ENB-13.01) was adopted to streamline citation of violators. By being a compliant, neighbor-friendly host, you can operate successfully in Portland. If you need guidance on the permitting process or on managing guest compliance in Portland, Cascadia Getaways can assist (we’re very familiar with the city’s system).

Suburban Cities in Portland Metro (Lake Oswego, West Linn, Oregon City, etc.)

Several cities around Portland have their own distinct (often stricter) rules. Here’s a quick overview of notable ones in the metro area:

• Lake Oswego (Clackamas County): An affluent suburb, Lake Oswego long prohibited outright short-term rentals in residential zones. In 2019, the City Council made a small concession by legalizing home-sharing: Ordinance 2815 allows a homeowner to rent rooms in their primary residence (with the owner on-site). However, non-owner-occupied STRs remain forbidden in Lake Oswego. The city code treats unoccupied short rentals as an unlawful use, citing neighborhood character. Compliance is complaint-driven; LO actively issues cease-and-desist orders if an Airbnb is found operating illegally. Community sentiment is strongly protective – local neighborhood groups watch for violators, and any attempt to loosen rules further likely faces resistance. If you’re a Lake Oswego homeowner, basically the only STR option is to host people while you’re there (like a traditional B&B scenario, subject to city business license requirements).
  
• West Linn (Clackamas County): Similarly to Lake Oswego, West Linn only allows STRs as a home occupation with the owner present. In practice, West Linn’s code requires owner-occupancy for any short rental use. Whole-house vacation rentals are not allowed in residential zones. Enforcement is again via complaints – West Linn is smaller and not a big tourist draw, so cases are rare. But the city has on occasion sent violation letters to owners running full-house Airbnbs. Assume that if you’re not living there, you cannot Airbnb in West Linn. The city also charges a local lodging tax (around 8-10%, combined with county tax) if you do the small-scale hosted rental.
  
• Oregon City (Clackamas County): Oregon City (the historic capital located just south of Portland) has taken a more formal regulatory approach. The city treats rentals under 30 days as “Bed and Breakfast” use in residential zones, which requires a Conditional Use Permit (CUP). Essentially, you must apply to the Planning Commission, notify neighbors, and get approval to operate an STR – similar to opening a B&B. They typically require owner-occupancy or at least a local manager, on-site parking, and may limit the number of guests. If an STR is operating without the CUP, Oregon City can impose fines or force closure as a zoning violation. Note that Oregon City’s transient lodging tax is about 6% and applies to STRs; hosts need a business license and tax registration with the city. Oregon City’s stance is “proceed carefully” – they allow STRs case-by-case but with scrutiny to ensure neighborhood fit. Given the extra hurdles, only a handful of STRs exist in Oregon City (often historic homes that also serve as part-time B&Bs). If you’re considering one, budget time for a multi-month permitting process and a public hearing.
  
• Beaverton and Hillsboro (Washington County): These are westside suburbs in Washington County. As of 2025, Beaverton does not have a dedicated STR ordinance – they default to treating them as regular rentals with a standard business license. Whole-home rentals are generally allowed in Beaverton, though the city encourages hosts to voluntarily follow good practices (Beaverton does require a local agent contact for any rental property). They have a 9% city lodging tax that must be paid. So, Beaverton is relatively permissive, and the City Council has not indicated any crackdown (likely because STR numbers there are low). Hillsboro, likewise, has no specific STR law except requiring hosts to pay the 9% city lodging tax and hold a business license. Hillsboro has a mix of housing and some tourism (for sports events, etc.), but by and large hasn’t seen STR controversies – so it’s an example of a city taking a “light touch” approach (register and pay tax, otherwise no special permit). However, be mindful that general zoning and HOA rules still apply in these suburbs. Also, both cities watch Portland’s experiment; if problems grow, they could impose new rules in the future (e.g., an owner-occupancy requirement), but none yet.
  
• Salem (Marion/Polk County) – see Willamette Valley section below. (Salem, the state capital, has its own STR licensing program modeled after Portland’s rules; we cover it separately in the Willamette Valley/Wine Country section since it’s in the heart of that region.)

In summary, Portland’s immediate suburbs mostly restrict STRsto homeowner-present situations or require onerous permits. This is particularly true on the south side (Clackamas County), where Lake Oswego and West Linn have effectively closed the door on investor STRs. On the west side (Washington County), cities have been quieter on the issue, but any STR there still must at least pay local lodging taxes. As always, check each city’s website for “short-term rental” or “vacation rental” policies before operating – assumptions can be risky. Cascadia Getaways keeps tabs on these varying rules and can help clarify if you’re in a grey area (for example, unincorporated pockets just outside city limits often fall under county rules – more on that next).

Multnomah & Clackamas Counties (Unincorporated Areas)

Outside city limits in the Portland metro area, STR rules depend on county codes. 

• Multnomah County (unincorporated): Multnomah County itself does not have a special STR permitting program as of 2025. Most unincorporated areas here are rural or sparsely populated, so STRs are few. The county does impose a 5% Transient Lodging Tax in unincorporated areas, which is collected through the state (if you file your state 1.5%, you include the county 5%). Legally, short rentals in unincorporated Multnomah are governed by general zoning – for instance, a dwelling rented under 30 days might technically fall under the definition of a “room & board” use or require a conditional use permit, but in practice the county hasn’t aggressively regulated it. Gresham, Troutdale, Fairview are cities in east Multnomah County. Notably, Gresham has no specific STR ordinance either; it requires a business license and adherence to nuisance codes, but no formal cap or permit (so a properly managed STR is generally allowed). Troutdale and Fairview similarly don’t have special rules beyond business licensing and taxes. The focus in Multnomah County has been all on Portland; the county itself mostly just cares that you pay the lodging tax. So if you have a vacation cabin in Corbett or a property on the Columbia River outside city limits, you currently can operate it as an STR without a separate county permit, as long as you comply with basic zoning (e.g. not in an agricultural zone that forbids it) and pay taxes. Keep an ear out, though: if such areas saw a spike in STRs, the county might consider new regulations. For now, it’s permissive by omission.
  
• Clackamas County (unincorporated – Mt. Hood Villages and more): This is a big one. In late 2023, Clackamas County implemented a comprehensive STR ordinance for all unincorporated areas (including popular Mt. Hood vacation communities like Government Camp, Welches, Zigzag, Rhododendron). As of December 7, 2023, every STR in unincorporated Clackamas must be registered with the county. Here are the Clackamas County highlights:
  
  • Permitting: The county uses the term “STR registration” rather than a permit, and it’s a relatively straightforward process. The registration form (available on Clackamas County’s STR webpage) is basically an affidavit where the owner attests the property meets safety standards and agrees to follow the rules. There is no initial inspection and no fee to register. Once you submit the form (by email or mail) and it’s processed, the county issues a unique STR Identification Number for your property. You must include this number in all your listings/advertisements, so it’s publicly visible that your rental is licensed. Registrations are valid for two years and then must be renewed (also free as of now).
    
  • Scope: The ordinance applies to any dwelling unit used for short-term stays (whole house rentals, vacation cabins, etc.) whether owner-occupied or not. There is no distinction between hosted/unhosted in the county’s eyes – unlike many city rules, Clackamas County does not require the owner to live on-site. However, per existing state law, STRs on farm or forest-zoned land do face extra hurdles: after a court challenge by 1000 Friends of Oregon, the county agreed that renting a home on exclusive farm use land likely needs a land use permit or might not be allowed without a conditional use. So, if your property is on EFU (farm) land or Timber zoned land in Clackamas, check with the Planning Department – you may need a special review under state land use laws. In rural residential or commercial zones (like Government Camp’s resort zoning), STRs are generally permitted subject to the new registration. Also exempt from the STR ordinance are traditional lodging businesses – hotels, motels, B&Bs, and campgrounds in commercial zones are not considered “STRs” under this law.
    
  • Standards: Key rules in Clackamas County’s program include:
    
    • Occupancy Cap: Maximum of 15 overnight occupants per rental, regardless of home size. (Fire safety and septic capacity were considerations for this cap).
      
    • Parking: Generally, one off-street parking space per sleeping area (bedroom) is required. However, recognizing the unique nature of the Mt. Hood Villages with some narrow lots, the county made parking exceptions for certain areas – for example, Government Camp and a few dense mountain neighborhoods don’t strictly need one space/bedroom, but the rule stands for most areas.
      
    • Trash & Noise: STRs must comply with the county noise ordinance (hosts are required to post a notice about noise rules in the home). Likewise, proper garbage service must be maintained (no overflowing trash that attracts bears or pests – a practical concern in mountain and rural areas!).
      
    • Local Contact: A local responsible party must be available 24/7 to respond to complaints within a two-hour notice. This contact info must be posted visibly from the road at the property (so neighbors know who to call before the county). Most owners designate a property manager or themselves if they’re local.
      
    • Advertising Rules: No STR can be advertised prior to registration, and all ads must display the County-issued STR number. This is to help with compliance monitoring – Clackamas County can easily scan Airbnb for listings and check if a number is shown.
      
    • Fire Safety: Owners, by signing the affidavit, certify that the property has smoke/CO detectors, two egress routes, fire extinguishers, etc. (Basic safety compliance, but important given the wooded environments.)
      
  • Taxes and Fees: Clackamas County has long charged a 6% Transient Lodging Tax (TLT) on short rentals in unincorporated areas. In conjunction with the new ordinance, they added an extra 0.85% “STR Administration Fee”. So total county tax is 6.85% (on top of the 1.5% state tax). This is collected via the county’s finance department (which uses a system called GovOS/MUNIRevs now). If you’re a host, you must file monthly or quarterly reports of your revenue and pay that 6.85%. Airbnb began collecting the 6% portion automatically some years ago, but confirm if the new 0.85% fee is being auto-collected – if not, you’ll need to remit it directly. The county’s STR webpage provides a payment portal for the tax/user fee. Failure to pay can result in penalties or even loss of your STR registration (since paying tax is a condition of maintaining good standing).
    
  • Enforcement: Clackamas County set up a system where if neighbors have an issue, they first contact the STR’s posted local manager. If it’s not resolved, they can email the County or even use a GovOS complaint portal. The County will issue warnings for non-compliance and can revoke the STR registration after two unresolved violations. Operating without registering, or after a revocation, can incur fines (classified as a civil code violation). Notably, the County can also immediately revoke a registration for life-safety hazards. Another interesting enforcement tool: if an STR is a persistent problem, the County has said it can review financial records or inspect the property with notice. In extreme cases, a revoked STR property is barred from re-registering for 2 years (similar to Portland’s policy of a cooling-off period after a revocation).
    
  • Public Input & Future: The Mt. Hood community was heavily involved in shaping these rules. Hundreds of residents provided feedback at town halls and hearings in 2023. Many locals in the Villages (Brightwood/Welches/Rhododendron) wanted controls on STRs, citing party houses and housing shortages. On the other side, cabin owners and rental managers advocated for fair regulations rather than an outright ban. The adopted ordinance was a balancing act – no cap on total STRs (yet), but strong operational rules and accountability. The County Commissioners plan to revisit the rules in 2025 after seeing two years of data. They’ll evaluate if the program covers its costs (hence the 0.85% fee funding enforcement) and whether stricter measures (like caps or tiered fees) are needed. Politically, Clackamas County is somewhat split: the urban fringe cities took a hard line (LO, West Linn), but the rural tourism areas remain more permissive. As of late 2025, commissioners appear satisfied with the new program’s rollout rather than considering moratoriums or caps. Compliance will be key – if the majority of STR owners follow the rules, the county can show that STRs are under control. If not, one could imagine a cap or moratorium being floated in the future. So if you operate in Clackamas unincorporated, it’s in your best interest (and ours as a local operator) to be a model citizen: pay taxes on time, respond to neighbor issues, and keep your place safe and quiet.

In summary for unincorporated Clackamas: STRs are allowed and common (especially on Mt. Hood), but now they’re formally regulated. Register your rental with the County, include your STR number in listings, follow the occupancy/parking rules, and pay the 6.85% county tax. Many Mt. Hood hosts have already transitioned smoothly to this system. If you need assistance registering or understanding the new rules, Cascadia Getaways is actively helping owners in the villages navigate the process. We also act as the local 24/7 contact for our properties – a requirement now baked into the code. The goal is to keep Mt. Hood a welcoming place for visitors and maintain the peace for full-time residents. With these regulations, Clackamas County aims to achieve that balance.

(Quick note: If your property is in unincorporated Washington County – e.g., rural areas outside Sherwood or Hillsboro – that county has minimal STR regulations similar to Multnomah’s stance. Washington County requires standard business registration and collects a 9% County lodging tax in unincorporated areas, but has no STR-specific ordinance. They rely on zoning (which often doesn’t explicitly mention STRs) and complaints for now. Always verify with the county if you’re unsure.)

Mt. Hood & Columbia Gorge Region

The Mt. Hood and Columbia River Gorge area spans multiple jurisdictions. We’ve covered the Mt. Hood Villages in Clackamas County above. Hood River is a hotbed of both STR use (it’s a windsurfing, skiing, and hiking mecca) and STR debate, so the rules are quite strict there. We’ll also mention the City of Sandy – a gateway to Mt. Hood – which has its own unique approach.

City of Hood River – Strict Primary Residence Requirements

Hood River (city) is known for its wineries, breweries, and outdoor recreation. It’s also known for having one of Oregon’s toughest STR ordinances, aimed at protecting housing for locals. In 2016, after community outcry about investors buying up homes for vacation rentals, the Hood River City Council passed Ordinance 2026, which essentially phased out non-owner-occupied STRs in residential zones. Here’s how Hood River’s rules work:

• Primary Residence Only (Residential Zones): In all residentially zoned neighborhoods of Hood River, you can only operate an STR if it is your primary dwelling and you are present during the rental, OR you rent it out temporarily and it remains your primary home. Specifically, after the 2016 ordinance’s grace period, any STR in a residential zone must be one of two types:
  
  1. Hosted Homeshare – You live in the home and rent out a portion (e.g. a room or an ADU) while you’re there. This is essentially a Bed & Breakfast model without breakfast.
     
  2. Temporary STR in Primary Home – You occasionally rent out your primary residence while you are away, but crucially, it’s still your primary home and you can’t do it year-round. Hood River set a cap of 90 days per year for this type of unhosted rental in a primary residence (similar to Portland’s 95-day rule).
     
• What’s not allowed? Owning a house in a residential zone that you don’t live in and renting it full-time as a vacation rental. Hood River effectively banned those. They gave existing STR owners a grace period to either sell or convert to long-term rentals, and by 2019 most non-compliant STRs in neighborhoods were gone or grandfathered out. This was controversial but ultimately upheld in court – a group of out-of-town STR owners sued, and in April 2025 the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals upheld Hood River’s ordinance as a valid exercise of city zoning power.
  
• Commercial Zones STRs: In areas zoned commercial or in the downtown core, Hood River does allow whole-home STRs (since those are not traditional single-family neighborhoods). However, even there, the city imposed a cap on total licenses. Hood River’s cap is around 50 permits citywide (that number may adjust slightly; for example, downtown condos or vacation rentals in commercial districts count toward a cap). There has been a waiting list for these permits at times. Also, even in allowed zones, no two STRs can be adjacent – a spacing rule to prevent mini hotel districts. So, the city basically said: “Okay, in tourist-commercial areas you can have STRs, but we’re limiting how many and where.”
  
• Licensing & Inspection: Hood River requires an annual STR license. Getting the license involves a safety inspection of the property and notifying neighbors within 250 feet when you apply. The license must be renewed each year, and if there’s a waitlist due to the cap, renewals keep existing operators in but no new ones are granted until someone drops out or sells (licenses aren’t transferable with property sales, generally). The city charges a fee for the license and inspection (a few hundred dollars). They also mandate off-street parking for STRs (one space per bedroom typically) and limit occupancy (usually 2 per bedroom).
  
• Enforcement & Activism: Hood River has been aggressive in enforcement. They contract with a compliance service to scan for illegal listings, and they’ve issued fines and even forced closures of STRs operating without a license or outside the rules. Livable Hood River (a local citizens’ group) monitors STR compliance and has pushed the city to strictly enforce the primary-residence rule. On the other side, a statewide owner advocacy group called ViaOregon has spoken against Hood River’s restrictions, but in the local political sphere, the majority, including Mayor Kate McBride and the city council, have firmly sided with the restrictive policy. The result is Hood River is often cited as a model by other cities for curbing STRs to protect housing.
  
• Taxes: Hood River city’s lodging tax is 8%. The city participates in Airbnb’s tax collection program, so Airbnb collects that 8% (plus state 1.5%). Hood River County also has an 8% tax in unincorporated areas, but within city limits only the city’s 8% applies. All licensed STRs in city limits must register for the city tax if they do any direct bookings. The city publishes lists of licensed STRs and their local contacts for transparency.

Practical effect in Hood River: The only way to legally run a vacation rental in a residential neighborhood is to either (a) live on-site while guests are there, or (b) limit rentals to under 90 days/year and keep it as your primary home. For investors or second-home owners, Hood River is essentially off-limits unless your property is in a specifically zoned area. If you have a home in Hood River city that you don’t occupy, your options would be to convert it to a long-term rental or explore offering it as a monthly rental (over 30 days) which isn’t regulated the same. The city’s stance has been, “We value our community and housing stock more than maximizing STRs.” And notably, voters and courts have backed this up.

For hosts who do qualify (owner-occupants or those in commercial zones), just be sure to keep that annual license current and follow all the rules. Hood River will revoke licenses after complaints; in fact, the ordinance allows pulling a permit if there are 3 significant complaints or a failure to respond to issues. In 2025, the city confirmed it had defended its strict policy in court, giving confidence that these rules are here to stay. If anything, other cities are looking to copy Hood River’s model in areas with housing crunches.

Hood River County (Unincorporated Areas)

Outside the city limits, Hood River County has its own STR program for the rural communities like Odell, Parkdale, and the upper Hood River Valley. These are areas near orchards, vineyards, and forest land where STRs also grew in popularity. Hood River County’s rules are somewhat more permissive than the city’s, but they did institute some limits:

• License Cap: Hood River County caps the number of STR licenses in unincorporated areas at no more than 50 at any one time. This cap was set to prevent too many vacation rentals in the rural communities. For a while, critics said the cap wasn’t enforced strictly (more than 50 might have been active if including some non-compliant ones). By 2021, community activists (including a group called Thrive Hood River) complained that the cap was being exceeded and not enough enforcement was happening. The County has since recommitted to sticking to that cap and auditing for compliance. Essentially, if someone wants a new STR permit in unincorporated Hood River County and 50 are already issued, they’ll go on a waitlist until one drops off.
  
• Permitting & Requirements: Operating an STR in Hood River County requires a Short-Term Rental Permit from the County. It’s somewhat similar to other counties: you apply, certify safety measures, provide a local contact, etc. The county’s ordinance (passed around 2018) set standards like:
  • Local Representative: Must have someone within a certain distance who can respond to issues (often a property manager in Hood River area).
  • Good Neighbor Guidelines: The county provides a handbook to all STR owners about noise, waste, wildfire safety (important in rural areas), and so on, which must be passed along to guests.
  • Occupancy & Parking: Limits on occupants based on number of bedrooms and septic system capacity. Usually ~2 per bedroom, and you need adequate parking on-site (no blocking of country roads or driveways).
  • No Events: Rentals can’t be used for weddings or large parties without a separate event permit – just overnight lodging.
• Enforcement: The County has code enforcement officers who will investigate complaints. Thrive Hood River (the local advocacy group) has been actively reporting violators – for example, if an illegal STR pops up in a farming zone or if an STR exceeds occupancy and causes a nuisance, they alert officials. In recent years, a few high-profile cases where STRs on orchard lands were being rented for big gatherings led the County to crack down. The County in 2022 updated its process to require proof of notice to neighbors when applying, and they made it easier to revoke permits if there are issues. They also use the lodging tax data to identify STRs (if someone’s paying the 8% tax but never obtained an STR permit, that’s a red flag – though rare).
  
• Taxes: As mentioned, Hood River County charges 8% TLT on STRs in unincorporated areas. Airbnb began collecting this around 2021. If you operate outside city limits, you need to register with the County Finance Department to pay that tax (unless exclusively on Airbnb). The funds go to county services and tourism promotion.
  
• Outlook: The political mood in Hood River County has shifted in favor of tighter control on STRs, much like the city. Commissioners hear regular input from both sides – tourism operators emphasize the importance of STRs for the economy, while residents stress preserving community livability. The compromise has been this cap and permit system. No new major restrictions are on the immediate horizon (the county considered an outright ban on STRs on exclusive farm use land, but instead they handle it via conditional use requirements). But if complaints spike or housing availability worsens, the County could consider lowering the cap from 50 or adding new rules. Already, Thrive Hood River called the initial cap “symbolic” and continues to push for rigorous enforcement. On the flip side, local STR owners formed a small group to voice concerns if ever a ban were proposed. For now, if you follow the rules in unincorporated Hood River County, you can operate – just remember you’re in a smaller community where word travels fast. Being a courteous host (ensuring your guests respect quiet hours, etc.) will go a long way toward avoiding neighbor complaints.

In summary: Hood River city = very strict (only hosted or primary-home rentals allowed in neighborhoods). Hood River County = allows vacation rentals but with a license cap and standard rules to minimize impacts. Given the strong community monitoring in the Gorge, professional management can help ensure your rental stays in good standing under the watchful eyes of neighbors and county officials.

City of Sandy (Clackamas County) – Gateway to Mt. Hood

Sandy isn’t on Mt. Hood, but it’s the last major town before you drive up the mountain (and Cascadia Getaways is familiar with operating there). The City of Sandy has a population of about 12,000 and in recent years it grappled with STR questions. Sandy’s approach ended up highly restrictive, somewhat akin to the Hood River model:

• Owner-Occupied Only: In 2018, Sandy enacted rules that effectively allow short-term rentals only if they are part of an owner-occupied home. If you want to Airbnb in Sandy, you must either rent out rooms while you live there, or rent out an accessory dwelling on your property, or occasionally rent your whole house while on vacation (with limits). Sandy requires that the STR use be clearly incidental to someone’s primary residence. They did not open the door for investor-owned STR properties in residential zones.
  
• Permitting: Sandy doesn’t have a simple STR license; instead, it uses its existing “Bed and Breakfast” conditional use permit process. That means an aspiring STR host in a low-density residential zone might need to apply for a Special Use Permit from the Planning Commission. This involves a neighborhood notification, a hearing, a site plan showing parking, etc. In some cases (like renting 1-2 rooms in your house), city staff can approve it administratively, but anything more intense (like a separate guest house) might trigger a commission review.
  
• Key Restrictions: Sandy caps the number of guests and rooms similar to other places (no more than 5 guests typically, and parking for each). They also require the owner to provide contact info to neighbors. If the property is not the owner’s full-time residence, Sandy’s code says it must be at least their part-time residence. Essentially they want a person attached to each STR, not absentee management.
  
• Enforcement: Because Sandy is relatively small, they rely on complaint-based enforcement. A few issues in 2019–2020 (noise complaints about a couple of STRs) prompted the city to send out warnings and consider stricter measures, but so far they haven’t banned STRs outright – they just run each through the approval wringer. If someone tried to set up multiple STRs or do a full-time vacation rental business, Sandy would likely deny those permits.
  
• Taxes: Sandy imposes its 9% Transient Lodging Tax on stays, just like any Oregon city. Hosts need a Sandy business license and must remit taxes quarterly to the city’s finance department. Airbnb does collect for Sandy (since mid-2020s) – but verify that, and if not, you’ll need to pay directly.
  
• Political vibe: Sandy’s leaders have signaled they are cautious. The town is growing and has a bit of a housing crunch, so they don’t want STRs taking rental homes off the market. At the same time, being on the road to Hoodland, they understand some travelers want to stay in Sandy. The compromise is allowing hosted STRs and very limited unhosted ones. As of 2025, there’s no immediate move to change the rules – but city staff have authority to tighten conditions if problems arise (for instance, they could require the owner to live on-site, period, if any abuses happen ).
  

For an owner in Sandy: unless you plan to live at the property or next door, STR isn’t a viable strategy. If you do live there and want to rent out a room or two, be prepared to go through a permit process and perhaps a public hearing. The key is demonstrating to the city that your STR won’t disturb the peace and that you’re invested in the community (because you live there). In other words, show you’re “renting responsibly”, which is exactly what cities like Sandy want to see.

Community Insight: Across the Mt. Hood and Gorge region, there’s a clear theme: favor primary residents and discourage pure investment rentals. Hood River led the charge by essentially banning non-resident STRs. Clackamas County’s new rules still allow vacation rentals, but they demand accountability via registration and local contacts. The underlying goal is to address housing affordability and neighborhood impacts. If you’re a homeowner in these areas, engaging with local community groups and being responsive to neighbor concerns can greatly improve your STR’s acceptance. In fact, at public hearings we’ve attended, council members often distinguish between “good actors” (local owners who communicate with neighbors) and “bad actors” (absentee landlords). Strive to be the former, and you’ll find regulators much more accommodating.

Oregon Coast (North, Central, South)

Oregon’s coastal communities have been at the epicenter of STR regulation battles in recent years. The Coast is a beloved vacation destination, meaning high STR demand – but also many small towns with limited housing supply for locals. The result: almost every coastal county and city has implemented some form of STR cap, permit, or ban, often after heated public debate. We’ll break this section into sub-regions (North Coast, Central Coast, South Coast) to cover key jurisdictions where Cascadia Getaways or Porch Light Vacation Rentals operate.

North Oregon Coast (Clatsop County: Astoria, Seaside, Cannon Beach, Gearhart)

Clatsop County (the northwest corner of Oregon) includes popular spots like Cannon Beach, Seaside, and Astoria. Here’s the landscape of STR rules on this part of the coast:

• Clatsop County (unincorporated areas): Unincorporated Clatsop includes small communities like Arch Cape, Cove Beach, and other rural coastal areas. The county requires any STR to register and pay the County lodging tax (currently 10.5% combined, including a 5% county portion), but historically Clatsop County had no explicit STR license or cap for unincorporated areas. They mostly enforced through zoning – treating STRs as a type of conditional use in some zones. However, as of 2025 the County has been studying STR impacts. Arch Cape residents in particular have raised concerns because a large percentage of homes there are vacation rentals. Expect Clatsop County to consider new STR regulations soon, possibly borrowing ideas from Tillamook or Lincoln counties (caps by zone, etc.). For now, if you have an STR in unincorporated Clatsop, you must get a County business license, certify you’re following safety rules, and pay taxes. Keep an eye on county commission agendas for any code changes.
  
• City of Astoria: Astoria is the largest city in Clatsop (population ~10,000) and a historic port city. Astoria allows STRs but only in certain areas under a capped system. The city created an STR overlay zone – basically, only specific blocks (generally in or near downtown and along certain commercial corridors) allow short-term rentals as a permitted use. Even within that area, Astoria imposed a cap of about 30 STR permits citywide. A waitlist is in place; as of late 2024 the city had filled all slots. If you want to do an STR in Astoria, you first need to see if your property is in the allowed zone (the city planning department has a map). Then you must apply for an STR permit – which involves notifying neighbors and meeting parking standards. If the cap is reached, you’ll go on a waitlist. Astoria also disallows two STRs next door to each other (spacing requirement). The lodging tax in Astoria is 11% (they are part of Clatsop County’s 5% plus the city’s own 6%). Astoria’s program is known for being strict but transparent – they publicize the current permit list and enforce unpermitted rentals with fines.
  
• City of Seaside: Seaside is one of Oregon’s oldest beach resorts. It has a mix of touristy areas and residential neighborhoods. Seaside’s approach, updated around 2011, was to prohibit STRs in certain purely residential zones, but allow them in other areas without a hard cap. Essentially, Seaside drew lines: the closer-in neighborhoods near the beach and downtown (zoned for vacation use) permit STRs as “Vacation Rentals” outright, while more inland residential areas (intended for local housing) ban new STRs. Within the allowed areas, Seaside does not cap the number of licenses – market demand dictates how many operate. However, all STRs must be licensed by the city, follow safety and trash rules, and have a local manager. Illegal rentals in the no-STR zones are actively fined – Seaside has fined owners $500+ per day for renting in prohibited areas. If you’re buying in Seaside, carefully check the zoning of the property. Seaside’s lodging tax is 10%, and the city has an additional $2/night fee in summer for tourism promotion. Seaside officials consider their approach a compromise: it channels STRs to tourist-oriented neighborhoods and preserves others for locals. So far it’s worked: there are several hundred licensed STRs in Seaside, mostly west of the highway and in vacation home enclaves, while neighborhoods east of the river remain mostly STR-free.
  
• City of Cannon Beach: Cannon Beach is famous for its beauty – and for its very tight STR regulations. Cannon Beach decided early on (1990s) to strictly limit STRs to preserve community character. The city offers only two types of STR permits:
  
  • “Unlimited” Permits – These were legacy permits from decades ago that allowed year-round renting with no night limit. Cannon Beach stopped issuing new unlimited STR licenses long ago; only a handful of homeowners still hold these, and if they sell or fail to renew, those permits expire. They are also subject to a density rule (no two unlimited STRs adjacent).
    
  • “14-Day” Permits – This is the primary permit now available. It allows the owner to rent their home for up to 14 nights per calendar year. Essentially, it’s for someone who wants to rent occasionally (a couple of weekends and a week in the summer, for example). Any homeowner in a residential zone can apply for a 14-day STR permit. They must log each rental with the city to ensure they don’t exceed 14 nights.
    
  • There is no permit available for full-time vacation renting in Cannon Beach unless you had one of those grandfathered unlimited licenses. So by design, Cannon Beach severely restricts STR activity – the result is many fewer STRs than a town of its popularity would normally have. The community strongly supports this; in fact, in 2021 some residents pushed to reduce even the 14-day allowance, but the city retained it as a compromise.
    
  • Enforcement: Cannon Beach staff track every rental night via required reports, and if a 14-day permit holder rents extra nights, they can lose their permit. The city has also implemented strict fines for renting without a permit. They regularly scan Airbnb/VRBO – if you see a Cannon Beach listing, odds are it’s a 14-day one with a few reviews (or an unlimited one charging sky-high rates).
    
  • Taxes: Cannon Beach’s Transient Lodging Tax is 8%, and they enforce tax payment vigorously. The city funds much of its tourism infrastructure via these taxes. They’ve noted that limiting STRs also limited tax growth, but they accept that trade-off for livability.
    
  • If you own property in Cannon Beach, in summary, don’t expect to run a full-time Airbnb. Your best option is the 14-day permit for occasional use. Many second-home owners in Cannon Beach simply do not rent at all and accept that; others use the 14-day permit just to offset some costs. If you need more rental income than 14 nights provide, Cannon Beach is not the place – consider neighboring areas with looser rules.
    
• City of Gearhart: Gearhart is a small residential city just north of Seaside. In 2021, after citizen complaints, Gearhart’s City Council banned new STR permits in residential zones. Existing licensed STRs were grandfathered (they can continue and renew), but once a license is given up or revoked, it won’t be reissued. So Gearhart is effectively phasing out STRs in neighborhoods over time. The city found that even a few rowdy beach rentals were too much for their quiet town. They still allow new STRs in commercial zones or if someone is doing hosted home-sharing. But if you buy a house in Gearhart now, you likely cannot get an STR permit unless it’s one of the few legacy ones up for sale (and even then, check if permits transfer – many places they do not). Gearhart also has a local lodging tax (~5% city + 5% county). They will ticket unlicensed rentals as code violations. The town’s sentiment is clear: Gearhart leans toward a residential character and most tourists can stay in nearby Seaside or Warrenton where there are hotels.
  

North Coast Summary: This region illustrates a variety of approaches: Cannon Beach and Gearhart have some of the strictest limits in the state (caps, phased reduction). Seaside took a zoning approach to segregate STRs, and Astoria uses overlays and a small cap. If you plan to operate or purchase an STR on the North Coast:

• First, check the city’s regulations thoroughly (we’ve linked to many of them in this section for easy reference).
  
• Be prepared for waitlists or no availability of permits in desirable towns.
  
• Understand that enforcement is robust – these cities know the stakes (their year-round population versus influx of visitors) and have invested in compliance tools.
  
• Also note community attitude: local activism is strong. For example, Cannon Beach residents have on multiple occasions packed city meetings to oppose any expansion of STRs. On the flip side, a group called Oregon Coast Hosts has emerged to represent STR owners’ interests and encourage reasonable regulations. They advocate for things like occupancy formulas instead of hard caps, and better data transparency. This group provided input in Tillamook and Lincoln counties, and is keeping an eye on places like Cannon Beach too.

If you need guidance for a specific North Coast jurisdiction, Cascadia Getaways can help interpret the current rules or even connect you with local stakeholders. We want to see coastal STRs run responsibly, enhancing these communities rather than detracting. That means knowing and following each town’s rules to the letter.

(For quick links: The City of Cannon Beach’s STR program details are in their Municipal Code §17.77; Seaside’s rules in their Development Code §158; Astoria’s STR info can be found via the city’s Community Development department page, which includes the overlay map and permit application; Gearhart’s ban was via Ordinance 947 in 2021.)

Central Oregon Coast (Tillamook & Lincoln Counties)

Moving down the coast, the Central Coast has seen perhaps the most dramatic STR showdowns in Oregon. Lincoln County in particular was ground-zero for an intense political battle that even went to the ballot, while Tillamook County undertook a major overhaul of its STR policies in 2023 after community pressure.

Let’s break it down by county:

Tillamook County & Cities (Manzanita, Rockaway Beach, Pacific City, etc.)

Tillamook County (north-central coast) includes famous spots like Pacific City, Oceanside, Netarts, Manzanita, Rockaway Beach, Garibaldi, and others. Historically, these areas had high STR usage (beach rentals) with relatively lax rules, but that changed in recent years:

• Tillamook County (unincorporated): In July 2023, after a lengthy task force process, Tillamook County adopted a comprehensive new STR ordinance. It replaced an older 2018 ordinance with much stricter provisions. Key features of the 2023 Tillamook County STR program include:
  
  • One License Per Owner: No individual or company can hold more than one STR license in unincorporated Tillamook County. This was aimed at preventing a few investors from buying up multiple homes. If you already had two under the old system, you could keep them until sold, but no new multiple holdings.
    
  • License Transfers Allowed Once: The new rules allow an STR license to transfer to a new owner only once (at time of sale). After that, if the property sells again, the STR license is gone. This is to phase out perpetual STRs and ensure turnover resets the market eventually (similar to what Newberg later mirrored).
    
  • Capping Density by Area: The county divided its coastline into distinct zones and set caps on STR licenses in each zone. For example, Pacific City/Oceanside areas had seen high densities, so their cap might be, say, 200 licenses (just an illustrative number). Some zones were near or over cap already, meaning a waitlist. Importantly, the total number of STRs countywide is now limited – this was a big shift from before, where any number could operate if they got a permit.
    
  • Stricter Standards: The ordinance beefed up standards: required septic system checks for homes on septic (to ensure they can handle the occupancy), mandatory garbage service, max occupancy limits tied to number of bedrooms (generally 2 per bedroom up to a certain max), parking requirements (hard surfaced parking for guests off-street), and specific quiet hours. It also requires posting of the license and a “Good Neighbor” flyer in the home.
    
  • Enforcement & Fees: Tillamook County introduced a dedicated STR Program staff. They set up a 24/7 complaint hotline. They also established hefty fines for violations and a system for license revocation after repeated complaints. To fund all this, they charge significant fees: $750 application fee, $500 annual renewal fee, etc. (the exact fees in 2023 were around $900 initial, $700 renewal as noted in county documents)–fees subject to change. These were among the highest in the state, but they use the revenue to pay for enforcement officers and software.
    
  • STR Advisory Committee: Tillamook formed an STR citizen advisory committee to review how implementation is going and recommend tweaks. This ensures community voices (both pro and con STR) have a formal channel ongoing.
    
  • Public Transparency: The County launched an online STR Registry listing all licensed STRs and their contacts. This means anyone can see if a house is licensed and who to call if there’s an issue – a push for accountability and neighbor empowerment.
    
• The political climate in Tillamook County was heated leading up to these changes. Residents in small towns like Oceanside and Neskowin complained that STRs were overrunning their neighborhoods and hurting community cohesion. On the other side, property owners and local businesses argued tourism is the lifeblood of these towns. The compromise was to allow STRs but with strict limits and controls. Tillamook County Commissioners explicitly cited housing impacts as a justification in the ordinance preamble.
  
  Looking forward: The new rules are among the strictest county-level frameworks in Oregon. The county stated that the 2023 package is intended to “provide clarity” and reduce community conflict going forward. They will likely hold to these rules for a few years, then evaluate if further changes are needed. If problems subside (fewer complaints, housing availability stabilizes), they may not tighten more. If issues persist, they could consider even tougher steps – but given the breadth of changes in 2023, immediate further restrictions are not expected. One idea floated was requiring STR owners to contribute to affordable housing funds; that hasn’t materialized yet, but awareness of housing needs remains high. For STR owners in unincorporated Tillamook: it’s absolutely critical to be in compliance now. All properties had to reapply under the new ordinance; operating under the radar is not an option as the county is actively monitoring. This is where professional management helps – ensuring your home meets the new standards (parking, signage, etc.) and handling the detailed paperwork for transfer or renewal. Cascadia Getaways has been closely involved as these rules rolled out and can assist owners with the transition.
  
• Manzanita: A star example often cited in Oregon STR discussions, Manzanita (pop ~600) has long had a strict cap on STRs. Manzanita caps STR licenses at 17.5% of the housing stock. In practice, that’s around 250 licenses (the cap was about 240, recently raised slightly to 250). There was a waiting list for years. Manzanita also geographically limits STRs: only in certain zones (mainly the residential areas west of Highway 101 and some vacation rental zones in town). Recently, R-2 and R-3 zones in Manzanita hit their cap and went to waitlist mode. They enforce a one-license-per-owner rule and require standard safety measures. Occupancy is limited by a formula (usually max 2 per bedroom, capping around 8-10 people). Manzanita’s lodging tax is 9%. The city is vigilant: if a new development comes in, they adjust the cap only via Council decision, and they’ve kept the 17.5% ratio to maintain neighborhood balance. Community sentiment: Manzanita residents are generally supportive of STRs at the controlled level – they appreciate tourism revenue but fiercely defend the cap to avoid turning into “another Cannon Beach”. As long as STR owners follow rules (trash pickup, quiet hours 10pm-7am, no overflow parking on streets), the model seems sustainable. If you get a Manzanita STR license, consider yourself fortunate and be a model host – any missteps could risk your license given the demand. The city can revoke permits for violations, and there’s always someone on the waitlist eager to replace you.
  
• Rockaway Beach: Another city in Tillamook County, Rockaway (pop ~1,300) also implemented a cap in 2022. Rockaway Beach capped STR licenses at around 120 total. They reached that cap quickly, so a waitlist exists. They require a license from City Hall, local contact info, and compliance with rules similar to Manzanita’s. Rockaway, being a more working-class town, had a robust debate but in the end chose to regulate STRs to ensure some housing for locals. If you’re eyeing Rockaway, check if any licenses are available or if you’d be waiting for an opening. Rockaway’s tax is 10% (city+county combined).
  
• Pacific City / Neskowin / Oceanside (unincorporated villages): These are under Tillamook County’s jurisdiction, so the 2023 county ordinance covers them. As noted, these areas are the reason the county got strict – e.g., Oceanside is small and had dozens of STRs causing friction. Now with the county’s caps by region, those communities have fixed STR limits (for instance, Oceanside might have a zone cap like 70 homes, etc). The county waitlists for specific regions like Neskowin exist. So, in these unincorporated villages, new STR opportunities may be limited until someone sells or surrenders a license.
  
• Small Tillamook County Cities: A few other small cities in Tillamook County to note:
  
  • Nehalem & Wheeler: Tiny inland towns (Nehalem ~ population 300). In 2023, Nehalem’s city council banned STRs in residential zones entirely, similar to Gearhart. They will phase out the handful that existed. Wheeler was considering allowing a few STRs (it’s even smaller), but with the county rules around them, they’ve held off a final decision.
    
  • Garibaldi and Bay City: These small port towns have very few STRs. Garibaldi was discussing limits in 2023, possibly a cap or cooperation with the county on enforcement. Bay City hasn’t seen much STR activity and as of 2025 has no special rules beyond business licensing and the county tax.
    
  • City of Tillamook: The inland county seat (not a tourist town for STRs really) – no STR ordinance, likely just requiring a business license.
    
• The overall Tillamook trend is strong regulation addressing livability. As one summary, a local op-ed described it: “Tillamook County and its cities have moved from the Wild West of STRs to a structured regime with clear rules and consequences.” The hope from officials is this reduces neighbor complaints and preserves some long-term housing, without killing the tourist economy entirely. From the STR owner perspective, it means more hoops but also more certainty: you know exactly what’s allowed and that everyone is held to the same standards.

Lincoln County & Cities (Lincoln City, Newport, Yachats, etc.)

Lincoln County (central coast, including Newport and Lincoln City) arguably has the most dramatic STR story in Oregon. This is where a voter initiative and subsequent legal battle reshaped the STR landscape:

• Lincoln County (unincorporated): In November 2021, voters in unincorporated Lincoln County passed Ballot Measure 21-203 by a wide margin. This citizen initiative (led by a group called 15neighborhoods) did two big things:
  
  • Immediate Moratorium on new STR licenses in residential zones (R-1, R-2 zones).
    
  • Phase-Out of Existing STRs in those zones over 5 years – meaning by 2026, any STR in a residential zone would have to cease operations.
    
• This was an unprecedented move – a countywide vote to eliminate most vacation rentals. It was driven by residents citing livability and housing concerns. However, the story didn’t end there. A coalition of STR owners challenged the measure in court, and in 2022 the Oregon Land Use Board of Appeals (LUBA) struck down key parts of the measure on procedural grounds (because land use changes normally can’t be done by initiative in Oregon). The phase-out was put on hold by court order.
  
  With the ballot measure in limbo, the Lincoln County Commissioners took matters into their own hands: in 2022–2023 they crafted Ordinance #523, which became the new STR law for unincorporated areas. Ordinance 523 incorporated some aspects of the measure’s intent but in a legally sanctioned way. Here’s what Lincoln County’s STR program looks like post-523:
  
  • Caps by Region: The county divided unincorporated areas into 7 regions (e.g., Otis area, Bayshore, etc.) and set a cap = 2% of dwelling units in each region can be STRs. This yielded specific numbers: for example, in one zone if there are 1,000 homes, max 20 STRs. In total, this policy aimed to shrink the number of STR licenses dramatically – from about 540 down to a target of 164 licenses over time. No new licenses are issued until the region is below cap (which none were initially, all were over).
    
  • License Attrition: Existing STR owners could continue, but if they sell or stop renewing, those licenses go away until the cap is met. Essentially a “natural attrition” phase-out rather than yanking licenses immediately (which the ballot measure tried to do). As of October 2025, the county had 438 active licenses left vs. the target 164. This number is dropping each quarter as people sell homes or give up licenses. They expect it to take a few more years to reach the cap numbers in each zone.
    
  • Defined Zones: The ordinance grouped areas – for instance, the popular Bayshore community by Waldport is its own zone with a low cap because it had a high STR density. This prevents one neighborhood from bearing all the impact.
    
  • Waitlist & Lottery: The county established formal waitlists for each region. When a license becomes available (someone drops out), instead of first-come-first-served, the county uses a lottery system to pick from the waitlist applicants. They’ve conducted several lotteries (as shown in public results linked on the county site). This ensures fairness and transparency in who gets a chance at a new STR license.
    
  • Other Rules: Ordinance 523 also instituted uniform standards:
    • Max occupancy 2 per bedroom (and absolute max 10).
    • Off-street parking required.
    • Septic system checks for rural homes.
    • No outdoor commercial events at rentals.
    • Each STR must have a local representative within 30 minutes.
    • License term is one year, with renewal contingent on compliance.
    • No transfer of licenses on sale – except if the new owner is a family member (they allowed a one-time transfer in inheritance situations). In general, if you sell, the STR license goes poof, contributing to the attrition.
      
  • Fees: Lincoln County’s fees are high: $900 for new application, $650 per annual renewal. They also charge a $250 inspection fee for septic if applicable, and fees for changes in local contact, etc. The high fees were deliberate to fund enforcement via the Sheriff’s Office.
    
  • Enforcement: The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office is the designated STR Licensing Authority. They have a dedicated team handling STRs. They maintain an excellent public dashboard (MUNIRevs portal) that shows every active STR and even the complaint history. They operate a 24/7 hotline (541-265-0666) via LodgingRevs for complaints. Neighbors are instructed to first call the local STR contact, then use the hotline if unresolved (and as a last resort, call the non-emergency police line for noise/parking issues). The Sheriff’s Office has indeed enforced: multiple licenses have been revoked for repeated noise or party violations. They also conduct audits – requiring proof of tax payments and that the home was rented the minimum required days (Lincoln County has a rule that if you rent less than 30 days in a year, you lose the license, to prevent people hoarding permits).
    
  • Current Status: After some court wrangling, in fall 2023 a settlement essentially allowed Ordinance 523 to proceed (with some tweaks) and moot the ballot measure’s more drastic provisions. So the phase-out is happening via attrition, not immediate bans. As of late 2025, Lincoln County reports the number of STRs is steadily dropping toward the cap, and the system of permits and enforcement is working as intended. The activist group 15neighborhoods continues to monitor and pressure the county to stick to the reduction plan, whereas host advocates like ViaOregon urge against over-regulation.
    
• What this means for owners in unincorporated Lincoln County: It is extremely difficult to start a new STR here now. You’d have to join a waitlist and hope to win a lottery, and that’s only if a current license goes away in your zone – which might take years. Or buy an existing rental from a family member. Regions like Lincoln Beach, Gleneden Beach, Bayshore, etc., are all subject to these tight caps (often 1-2% of homes). If you already have a licensed STR, you can continue renewing, but you must remain in good standing (pay taxes, obey rules) or risk losing it and not getting it back. Also note, if you don’t rent enough (at least 30 nights/yr), the county can revoke your license for inactivity, accelerating reaching the cap. Essentially, they want active, well-run rentals or none at all. For buyers, an STR license cannot be assured anymore as part of a sale (unlike some places that allow transfers). Lincoln County’s program is considered a possible blueprint for other areas because it survived legal challenges and achieved a middle ground (not a ban, but a big reduction).
  
• Lincoln City: Inside Lincoln County are several cities, each with their own STR ordinances. Lincoln City (pop ~9,800) is one of the most regulated. Lincoln City has a long-standing program that:
  
  • Caps total licenses around 300 citywide, with specific caps by neighborhood. For example, the Roads End neighborhood, a popular STR area, might have a cap of say 65; other residential areas have lower caps or outright exclusion zones.
    
  • Zone-based Approach: The city created zones: some areas near the beach or tourist centers allow STRs up to the cap, other residential areas (particularly inland or higher-density local neighborhoods) do not allow any STRs (“STR exclusion zones”). This was done to protect certain neighborhoods entirely while allowing STRs in traditionally vacation-home areas.
    
  • Waitlist: Lincoln City’s caps were reached years ago, so they maintain a waitlist. However, they haven’t issued new licenses in a long time because turnover is slow. Some prospective STR owners have been on the Lincoln City waitlist for 5+ years and still waiting.
    
  • Local Requirements: Lincoln City requires a local manager available, just like the counties. They enforce parking requirements and trash rules vigorously (random inspections are not unheard of).
    
  • Notably, when Lincoln County’s unincorporated areas got stricter, some STR investors started looking inside city limits – but found Lincoln City was already tight. It basically funneled demand to places like Otis or other counties instead. Now with those also restricted, there’s no easy loophole.
    
  • Taxes: Lincoln City’s lodging tax is 9.5% (one of the higher city rates, plus the county 1% that still applies inside cities, totaling 10.5% in city limits).
    
  • Political note: Lincoln City considered a ballot measure of its own in 2022 to toughen rules further (in sympathy with the county measure), but decided their existing system was sufficient. They did, however, tighten enforcement and clarify some code definitions in 2023.
    
• Newport: Newport (pop ~11,000, home of the Oregon Coast Aquarium and NOAA) passed a significant STR ordinance in 2019 (Ordinance 2144). Newport’s rules include:
  
  • Caps by Neighborhood: For example, the Nye Beach historic district (a touristy area) is capped at ~100 STR licenses, the Oceanfront area maybe ~75, and other residential areas smaller caps like 30. In total Newport had around 200 licenses initially and aimed to reduce to ~170 via attrition.
    
  • Spacing Requirement: Newport instituted a 250-foot buffer between STRs in certain zones – no new STR can be within 250 feet of an existing one (similar to Bend’s logic, see below). This effectively prevents clustering.
    
  • No New in Some Zones: Certain Newport neighborhoods (like Agate Beach) were closed to new STRs entirely.
    
  • Waitlist: Newport has a waitlist for licenses in zones at cap. Notably, the waitlist moves very slowly. People who signed up when the ordinance passed in 2019 only recently started getting offers in some zones, as attrition has been minor. The city ranks waitlist applicants by some criteria (like whether the property is within an allowed zone and meets parking standards – you can’t even get on the waitlist if your property wouldn’t qualify when a slot opens).
    
  • Hosted vs Unhosted: Newport allows an owner-occupied home to rent out 1-2 bedrooms without counting towards the cap (“accessory use”), somewhat like Salem’s approach. But a whole-home rental counts and is subject to cap.
    
  • Enforcement: Newport ramped up enforcement after some notorious “party house” incidents in 2018. They now revoke licenses if there are repeated violations and maintain a complaint hotline. A few licenses were indeed revoked for noise and the owners had to wait 2 years to even reapply (Newport has a penalty that if your license is revoked, you can’t get a new one for 2 years, similar to Portland’s concept).
    
  • Taxes: Newport’s lodging tax is 9.5%. They also charge an additional modest fee per rental booking that goes to a tourism marketing fund. Airbnb collects Newport’s tax.
    
  • As of 2025, Newport feels their system is working relatively well – they achieved a modest reduction in STRs in purely residential zones and haven’t had major blow-ups since. They continue to fine-tune, e.g., adjusting the waitlist process to be more transparent (they even considered a lottery like the county did, but stuck with first-come order).
    
• Yachats: Yachats (pronounced “YAH-hots”, pop ~1,000) is a small city that had one of Oregon’s earliest STR caps. Yachats capped STR licenses at 125 way back in 2011, which at the time was roughly 20% of its housing stock. By mid-2010s that cap was reached, and a waitlist started. Yachats also has interesting rules:
  
  • If an STR license isn’t used at least 30 nights per year, it gets revoked for inactivity (to prevent people from holding onto permits without actually renting, thus blocking others).
    
  • No transfer on sale – the license expires if the property changes ownership.
    
  • They allow unlimited hosted home-sharing (renting a room while owner is present doesn’t count to cap).
    
  • The small size of Yachats meant even 125 STRs were a lot; some locals wanted that number reduced. In 2022, there was talk of a citizen initiative to lower the cap to 100, but instead the City Council has chosen to reduce it gradually by attrition – essentially not replacing some licenses as they drop off until the total gets to maybe 115, then reevaluate. At last check, there were around 110 active, so they are nearing that soft target.
    
  • Activism: Yachats has vocal folks on both sides: some argue STRs hollow out the community (Yachats is very small, so even a dozen houses can matter), others note Yachats’ economy relies on tourists and limited lodging exists otherwise. A compromise reached was the enforcement of usage and non-transferability to slowly bring numbers down.
    
  • Taxes: Yachats imposes a 9% tax (shared with the county, total ~10%).
    
  • If you own in Yachats and don’t already have a license, chances are slim to get one until the number drops much further. The city explicitly prioritizes housing for residents and is content with fewer STRs, as evidenced by their willingness to shrink the cap.
    
• Waldport & Depoe Bay: Two other small cities in Lincoln County:
  
  • Waldport had relatively lenient rules until recently – they required a simple STR license and collected taxes, but no cap. However, the county’s ballot measure saga influenced Waldport. In 2022 Waldport’s council briefly considered a cap but instead aligned with the county’s approach: limiting STRs in new subdivisions and requiring any new STRs to meet stringent criteria. Waldport’s numbers of STRs aren’t huge, and many are in the Bayshore area which is actually unincorporated (thus under county rules now). So Waldport city proper didn’t need a drastic cap.
    
  • Depoe Bay (known for whale watching) has an ordinance capping STRs at 28% of housing in certain areas and 0% in others (Depoe Bay is tiny, so that equated to something like 40 total licenses). They also have a distance buffer. Depoe Bay’s approach is unique that they allow a higher percentage in tourist-zoned areas but zero in strictly residential zones.
    

Central Coast Summary: Lincoln County and its cities have essentially swung the pendulum from a high tolerance of STRs to a major contraction over the past 5 years. If you’re an STR operator here, you must adapt to a much more regulated environment:

• Many previously “legal” STR homes lost their permits due to the new caps and are now out of the market.
  
• Remaining owners face more inspections, higher fees, and the knowledge that if they sell, their STR business ends with them.
  
• Guests will find fewer vacation rentals available, which might drive up demand (and rates) for those that remain – an unintended silver lining for remaining owners, though offset by higher compliance costs.
  

From a public sentiment perspective, Lincoln County was a wake-up call statewide. The fact that voters almost banned STRs outright showed the level of frustration in some communities. Many other jurisdictions (like Tillamook, and even inland cities like Newberg) took note and pre-emptively tightened regulations to avoid such drastic measures.

Cascadia Getaways’ stance in this dynamic is to emphasize compliance and community engagement. On the Central Coast, we work with owners to ensure they are model citizens – registering with the Sheriff’s program, responding immediately to any neighbor concerns, and participating in local discussions. For example, when Lincoln County held workshops on STR rules, responsible operators who showed up and collaborated often found a bit more understanding from officials. Being absent or combative, on the other hand, only fueled the push for strict caps. The next 1-2 years (2025–2026) will be about monitoring outcomes – e.g., does housing become more available as STRs phase out? Do complaints go down? Everyone from county commissioners to state legislators will be watching. If the situation improves, we might avoid harsher steps; if not, more drastic policies (like those ballot measures) could resurface.

For now, know the rules of your specific coastal town before buying or operating an STR. We’ve provided links to permit info for Lincoln County’s program, Tillamook’s registry, Newport’s FAQ, etc. Use those resources – or reach out to Cascadia Getaways for guidance. We manage properties up and down the coast and stay in close contact with local authorities to ensure our clients’ rentals comply and prosper, even under these new constraints.

Southern Oregon Coast (Coos & Curry Counties)

The southern coast (Coos and Curry Counties) has been somewhat quieter on the STR front than the central coast, but they too have seen a rise in regulations:

• Coos County (includes Coos Bay, North Bend, Bandon):
  
  • Coos County implemented an STR ordinance around 2019 requiring that STRs in unincorporated areas register with the County’s tourism department. They have a 7% county lodging tax in unincorporated Coos. There’s currently no county cap on STRs, but they must be registered (so the county is at least aware of where they are) and meet basic safety standards.
    
  • The City of Bandon, a popular golf and beach destination (Bandon Dunes resort is nearby), got serious about STRs in 2022. Bandon’s council was divided, but ultimately they limited new STRs in residential zones via a density rule – only a certain number per block are allowed. They even considered a moratorium. As of 2025, Bandon is leaning toward further limits to protect housing (the presence of the world-famous golf resort means many homes were being used for short-term guests). Expect Bandon to possibly formalize a cap soon.
    
  • Coos Bay and North Bend – these twin cities have relatively low tourism outside of events and fishing seasons. They currently treat STRs like any other rental business: you need a city business license and to pay the city’s 7% lodging tax, but there’s no special STR permit or limit. Complaints are handled via general nuisance ordinances. To date, neither city has reported major STR issues, but that could change if numbers grow. For now, they’re de facto permissive. Still, if STRs start affecting the long-term rental market there, those councils might act (the housing vacancy rate in Coos Bay area is low, so officials are keeping an eye on it).
    
• Curry County (includes Gold Beach, Port Orford, Brookings):
  
  • Curry County passed an STR ordinance in 2019 for unincorporated areas that requires a county STR permit. Key points: they cap occupancy based on bedrooms/septic, require a local manager, and have a straightforward permit process. They did not impose a strict numerical cap countywide, but they handle each application through a review (and can deny if, say, neighbors object or road access is an issue).
    
  • Port Orford (Curry’s northernmost city) in 2023 passed an ordinance giving the city the power to set a cap by resolution. They’ve discussed limiting STR licenses to around 30 units total. As of late 2024, Port Orford was leaning towards setting that cap officially because they’d seen a surge in STRs given the scenic draws of the area.
    
  • Gold Beach, the Curry County seat, allows STRs and has a licensing process, but after some neighborhoods complained about party rentals, the city council there has debated caps. In 2024, Gold Beach considered a 5-10 house cap in certain residential enclaves. No final decision yet, but momentum is toward at least a spacing rule.
    
  • Brookings, near the California border, had an older ordinance requiring STR operators to get a simple permit from the city. Brookings has around 50 STRs. In 2022, after some disputes, they imposed a cap of 30 in residential zones, grandfathering existing ones (Brookings is small and full of retirees, so the vibe is cautious). They also enforce via a code officer if issues arise.
    

In short, the South Coast is following patterns set by the north/central, just on a bit of a lag: first registering STRs, then increasingly capping or restricting them as locals demand. The difference is towns are smaller and the tourism economy slightly less intense (except Bandon and Brookings which have specific draws). So regulations are being calibrated accordingly.

For owners on the South Coast:

• Register and pay taxes – Coos/Curry counties both mandate registration, so don’t skip that or you risk fines.
  
• Check if your city has a cap or is considering one. Bandon and Port Orford, for instance, could strand you if you assume you can STR and then a new rule says otherwise. It’s wise to attend a city council meeting or two – local officials often decide these rules based on just a few voices in a small community.
  
• Follow any special rules (like Bandon’s “one per block” density rule ). These can be hyper-local quirks that, if violated, will get your application denied.
  
• Recognize that communities like Bandon and Port Orford value their tranquility – one noisy rental can spur a clampdown. These are places where indeed “everyone knows everyone,” so bad behavior by guests quickly becomes the talk of the town. Being proactive – introducing yourself to neighbors, giving them your number, setting clear guest expectations – is crucial.
  

Cascadia Getaways has fewer properties on the far south coast, but our ethos remains: be part of the community, not apart from it. We encourage owners to contribute positively (e.g., donate to local events, support neighbor initiatives) which can offset negative perceptions of STRs. And of course, our management practices (guest screening, strict house rules, regular property checks) are designed to prevent the types of incidents that lead to regulatory backlash.

Coastal Enforcement Trends: One notable trend across all coastal areas is the use of technology for enforcement. Counties like Lincoln and Tillamook are using online dashboards so the public can see which properties are rentals. Cities like Newport and Manzanita have interactive maps showing STR locations. Many have contracted companies like Granicus Host Compliance or LodgingRevs to monitor OTA websites for unregistered listings. They also operate 24/7 complaint hotlines so issues are documented and addressed quickly. The days of running a secret Airbnb or ignoring local rules on the Oregon Coast are effectively over – the oversight is comprehensive. As a responsible host, this is actually a good thing: it weeds out the bad actors, improving the reputation of remaining STRs. Our advice is to embrace the transparency: make sure your rental is on whatever registry, keep your permit number visible, and encourage guests to be mindful of being in someone’s neighborhood. Many jurisdictions now require posting a “Good Neighbor Policy” in the home (quiet hours, where to park, etc.) – definitely do this even if not explicitly required. It can save your license.

Willamette Valley & Wine Country (Yamhill, Marion, Polk Counties)

The Willamette Valley – especially Yamhill County – is Oregon’s famed wine country and another area where STRs have grown in popularity. Instead of beach houses, think country cottages and vineyard villas. The regulatory climate here is a bit more varied: some small towns welcome STRs to boost tourism, while others worry about housing for workers. Notably, Yamhill County’s cities (like McMinnville and Newberg) have developed detailed STR policies recently. We’ll cover Yamhill and touch on Marion/Polk (Salem area) as well, since those overlap with wine country geography.

Yamhill County & Unincorporated Areas

Yamhill County itself (outside city limits) does not yet have a standalone STR licensing program as of 2025. But STRs in unincorporated Yamhill fall under county zoning regulations. Key points for unincorporated areas:

• Zoning Restrictions: In farm and forest zones (which cover much of rural Yamhill), operating an STR is generally not an outright permitted use. The county typically would treat it as either a Bed & Breakfast if owner-occupied, or might require a conditional use permit for a vacation rental (similar to how one might need a permit for a commercial use on farm land). In practice, some vineyard owners have obtained permits to run small guest cottages as B&Bs on their property, but a random house in a Exclusive Farm Use (EFU) zone being used as a non-owner STR could be cited as an unlawful use.
  
• No ADUs as STRs: Yamhill County’s code explicitly prohibits using an Accessory Dwelling Unit for short-term rental in unincorporated areas. This is akin to some coastal towns’ rule (Waldport had a similar reasoning – keep ADUs for long-term housing). So if you build a guest house or mother-in-law unit on rural Yamhill property, you cannot list it on Airbnb.
  
• Rural Residential Zones: In rural residential (RR) zones (small clusters of homes in the county), STRs might be considered on a case-by-case basis. Yamhill has historically allowed some “vacation occupancy” conditional use permits for homes near wine country attractions, but they must send neighbor notices and often hearings occur if neighbors object. It’s not a free-for-all.
  
• Enforcement: There have been instances where neighbors in wine country areas (who maybe enjoy the peace and quiet) complained about STRs (like big groups renting a vineyard estate for a party). Yamhill County has responded by shutting down those deemed out of compliance (especially if they never got a conditional use permit). The county doesn’t have an STR task force, so enforcement is typically complaint-driven by neighbors.
  
• Lodging Tax: Yamhill County instituted a 7% Transient Lodging Tax in unincorporated areas around 2016. This tax funds economic development (and partially tourism promotion). If you operate an STR outside city limits, you must register with the county to pay that 7%. Airbnb does collect this 7% for unincorporated Yamhill by agreement. But if you have direct bookings, you need to remit it yourself. This tax means the county at least knows who some STR operators are (from tax registrations), even if they don’t have a separate STR permit system.
  
• Political Future: In 2024, Yamhill County officials started discussing whether to create a formal STR ordinance. There’s pressure from some to allow a bit more STR activity to boost tourism, but also calls to explicitly prohibit it in certain sensitive areas (like high wildfire risk zones in the hills or areas with limited emergency access). We might see Yamhill County implement a program requiring at least registration or permits by 2026, possibly including caps or primary-residence requirements in some form. They’ve watched McMinnville and Newberg’s moves closely.
  

Bottom line (unincorporated Yamhill): For now, if you have a rural property and want to STR, proceed with caution. Check zoning – if it’s EFU or forest, talk to the Planning Dept to see if a conditional use is even possible. Secure any needed permits. And definitely pay the 7% tax, or you’ll stick out. A few high-profile cases of unpermitted STR “party houses” in vineyard country have made the news and spurred the county toward more action. So flying under the radar isn’t wise. Cascadia Getaways, being based in Oregon, can assist in understanding these nuances – we won’t list a rural property unless we’re confident it’s in compliance, as protecting our relationships with local communities is paramount.

McMinnville (Yamhill County) – Wine Country Hub with 500-ft Rule

McMinnville is the heart of Oregon wine country (20k population) and has one of the state’s more evolved STR regulatory frameworks. Over the past few years, McMinnville tightened its rules significantly to address neighborhood concerns while still allowing STRs as a tourism asset.

• Permit Required: McMinnville requires a Short-Term Rental Land Use Permit from the Planning Department for any whole-home vacation rental. This is an administrative Type II review (by the planning director, with public notice to neighbors within 100 feet). In low-density residential zones, it’s essentially a conditional use (the city can deny if criteria aren’t met).
  
• 500-Foot Spacing: As of June 2023, McMinnville updated its code (Ordinance 5118) to require 500 feet of separation between STR properties. This is a huge change (it was previously 200 feet). Now, no two non-owner STRs can be on the same block or within about a 1-2 block radius of each other. This effectively acts as a strong cap because only so many 500-ft bubbles can exist in town. Before, with a 200’ buffer, a street could potentially have two STRs a block apart; now that’s impossible.
  
• Single-Family Only: McMinnville prohibits STRs in apartments or multifamily complexes. Only single-family homes (including townhouses) or accessory units can be STRs. This was to prevent loss of long-term rentals in multifamily housing.
  
• Resident-Occupied vs. Vacation Rental: McMinnville’s code distinguishes “Resident-Occupied STR” (owner on site, basically a small B&B or home-share) versus “Short-Term Rental” (whole house). Resident-occupied ones are allowed more flexibly (e.g., they aren’t subject to the 500’ rule since the owner presence is seen as mitigating). Whole-house STRs are treated as a more intensive use with all the spacing and permit requirements.
  
• Permitting Process Details: Applicants for an STR permit in McMinnville must:
  
  • Hold a neighborhood meeting before applying (invite neighbors, discuss the plan). This is to surface any concerns early.
    
  • Submit a site plan showing property lines, house, and off-street parking for guests.
    
  • Submit interior floor plans to verify the number of bedrooms (and that they meet building code for sleeping rooms).
    
  • Provide a written narrative addressing ordinance criteria (e.g., how you’ll prevent noise, manage garbage, etc.).
    
  • Meet specific criteria:
    
    • Parking: 1 off-street hard-surfaced parking space per bedroom to be rented. (Gravel doesn’t count; garages only count if actually usable for cars, not full of stuff).
      
    • Safety: Proof of smoke detectors, CO alarms, etc., per lodging standards.
      
    • Occupancy: Only one rental group at a time (no renting rooms to separate parties concurrently).
      
    • Signage: Only a small nameplate sign allowed (so as not to stand out as a business).
      
    • Local Manager: Must designate a local manager/owner who lives within the immediate area (McMinnville zip code) and can respond within 30 minutes to issues.
      
    • Non-Transferable: Permit voids upon change of ownership (not transferable), except maybe in limited intra-family transfer cases with city approval.
      
  • Approval: If all criteria are met and neighbors haven’t raised major objections, staff will approve with conditions. If neighbors object and it’s borderline, it can be bumped to the Planning Commission for a hearing. Likewise, denied applicants can appeal to the Commission.
    
• Operational Rules: Once permitted:
  
  • Max occupant load is generally tied to parking provided (no more than the number of people that the number of parking spaces and bedrooms can support, usually effectively capping at 10 given 5 bedrooms * 2 people each).
    
  • Noise/Nuisance: McMinnville has a nuisance party ordinance that applies to STRs – if guests cause a ruckus and police are called, the owner can face penalties similar to any homeowner hosting a loud party. Owners must post the local contact info inside the rental and also provide it to all neighbors within 100 feet. The idea is neighbors call the owner/manager first, not the city.
    
  • Emergency Response: The local manager requirement (30-minute response) is enforced; owners have been cited when a neighbor called and the listed manager failed to respond promptly.
    
  • Annual Renewal: Permits are renewed annually with a simple check-in, but the city did implement a “one strike review” policy: any verified significant complaint triggers a review by the Planning Commission and potential revocation. They want zero tolerance for bad actors. They also send an annual questionnaire to permit holders and neighbors to ensure things went smoothly that year.
    
• Enforcement & Recent Changes: McMinnville had about 50 permitted STRs in 2021. Complaints of clustering in the charming historic neighborhoods (lots of Airbnbs popping up near downtown tasting rooms) led to a temporary moratorium in late 2022. During that pause, they studied and implemented the stricter 500’ rule and other tweaks (like requiring the neighbor meeting, adding the one-year review for new permits). Those changes were unanimously supported by City Council (nearly everyone agreed to tighten up). They deliberately stopped short of an absolute numeric cap, preferring the spacing to be the limiting factor (analysis showed even if every eligible spot got filled, at most ~120 STRs could exist in McMinnville, likely fewer).
  
  • The city has already revoked a couple of permits: one where the owner didn’t respond to complaints, another where an owner made unapproved modifications (e.g., turned a garage into a bedroom to rent). They’ve also denied renewals for those who no longer meet requirements (e.g., owner moved out of area, violating local manager rule). So McMinnville means business in enforcing their conditions.
    
  • Politically, the city still sees STRs as beneficial if well-regulated – they bring tourist dollars to downtown, etc. But they are prepared to clamp down harder if needed. Council candidates in 2022 all supported the new restrictions and said they’d consider a total cap if issues persist. So hosts need to keep being good neighbors to prevent further tightening.
    
• Taxes: McMinnville charges a 10% Transient Lodging Tax, one of the higher city rates. Airbnb does collect it. Funds go partly to Visit McMinnville (tourism bureau) and to local attractions and events. The city’s finance department monitors STR tax compliance by cross-referencing the list of issued STR permits with tax filings. If you have a permit and don’t pay, they will know and it can jeopardize your permit. Non-payment of tax is considered a violation that can trigger revocation.
  

McMinnville summary: It’s a fairly strict but workable system. If you’re an STR operator in McMinnville:

• Secure the STR permit before operating – it’s required.
  
• Expect to invest in good off-street parking solutions (a common hang-up).
  
• Plan on personally engaging with neighbors to alleviate concerns (the city encourages meeting neighbors and sharing info; many hosts find that helps a lot).
  
• Abide by your permit conditions to the letter. Even one noise complaint could land you in front of the Commission for a “show cause” hearing under the one-strike rule.
  
• Know that if you sell the property, the STR permit ends (no selling “as STR”). McMinnville explicitly voids permits on change of ownership (with few exceptions).
  

Newberg (Yamhill County) – New Rules in 2025 with Permit Transfer Clause

Newberg (pop ~25,000) is another key Yamhill County city, known for wineries and George Fox University. Newberg updated its STR ordinance in mid-2025, making it more structured. Here’s the scoop:

• Old framework vs New: Previously, Newberg treated “Vacation Home Rentals” (whole-house STRs) as a conditional use in low-density (R-1) zones and a staff-level approval in higher-density zones. Bed & Breakfast homestays (owner-occupied STRs) were allowed with fewer hoops (conditional in R-1, staff approval in R-2/R-3). That framework remains, but the 2025 overhaul added two big things:
  
  • One-Time Transfer on Sale: Newberg now allows an existing STR permit to be transferred once to a new owner upon sale of the property. After one sale, if the property sells again, the STR permit is lost. This mirrors Tillamook County’s idea – to prevent STR licenses from becoming indefinitely sold commodities while still giving current owners a bit of value if they sell once. This was a compromise to appease current STR owners worried about losing all value, while ensuring that over time STRs turn back into normal houses after at most one ownership change.
    
  • “Year-of-Review” for New Permits: Any new STR permit in Newberg is now subject to a mandatory review after one year. Essentially a probation period – the city will check if complaints occurred or conditions were violated in that first year. If yes, the Planning Commission can revoke or add additional conditions at that one-year mark. If there are no issues, the permit continues annually. This strongly incentivizes new STR operators to be on their best behavior that first year.
    
• Permitting (Conditional Use): Newberg still requires a land use approval for STRs:
  
  • In R-1 single-family zones, a whole-house STR needs a full Conditional Use Permit (CUP) – meaning a public hearing and Planning Commission decision.
    
  • In R-2, R-3, or mixed use zones, it’s a bit easier: a staff-level Type II (no hearing) for whole-house STR, and just an administrative nod for small hosted rentals. This shows Newberg is more lenient in higher density or commercial areas, and more strict in traditional neighborhoods.
    
  • Bed & Breakfast (hosted STR): If you rent out 1–2 rooms and live on site, in R-1 it’s still a CUP (they want to review it carefully in low-density zones), but in R-2/R-3 it’s staff-approved. If a B&B has 3+ rooms, it’s always a CUP in any zone.
    
  • Criteria for approval include parking, neighbor notice, etc., similar to McMinnville’s.
    
• Operational Conditions: Newberg’s updated code set specific conditions:
  
  • Parking: Must provide adequate off-street parking (likely 1 per bedroom or more, though the exact ratio wasn’t stated, they follow similar logic to others).
    
  • Neighbor Notification: Neighbors must be notified when a permit is issued and given the owner/manager contact info.
    
  • Local Manager: If the owner isn’t on-site (for vacation rentals), a local contact is required. Cascadia Getaways’ office is in downtown Newberg, just minutes away if needed.
    
  • No Food Service: Vacation rentals can’t serve food like a B&B might (to avoid requiring health department licensing).
    
  • Noise, trash: Covered by general nuisance codes, but any verified nuisance can jeopardize the permit.
    
  • Density Check: Uniquely, Newberg’s code says no more than 30% of the houses within 250 feet of a proposed STR can already be STRs. So even if one meets spacing, if somehow a cluster is developing, they won’t allow it to exceed 30% saturation. Currently, no area in Newberg has that many STRs, but it’s a safeguard to prevent micro “STR ghettos”.
    
• Taxes: Newberg imposes a 9% Transient Lodging Tax. Airbnb does not automatically collect Newberg’s tax as of the latest info (it’s one of the few they missed). So hosts must register with the City and file/pay directly. They require monthly or quarterly filings, and they offer the standard 5% collection allowance for timely filing. Newberg uses the TOT money for tourism marketing (“Taste Newberg” campaigns) and community events. They are serious about TOT compliance – the Finance Department tracks who has a permit and expects a tax account to be active within 15 days of starting the STR. Late filings incur penalties.
  
• Enforcement & Climate: Newberg had relatively few STRs (around 30 permitted) but a couple of bad apples in 2024 (one house used for large loud parties, another absentee owner ignoring neighbor complaints) galvanized the city to tighten rules. The new transfer and review rules sailed through with broad support. Code compliance is handled by the Planning Dept (no special STR officer, but they respond to complaints). Without a hotline, neighbors are encouraged to call the police non-emergency for noise or file code complaints for chronic issues. Now with the one-year review, any new permit holder knows the city will formally re-evaluate them, which is unique and quite strict.
  
  • Politically, Newberg acknowledges STRs bring wine tourists who spend money locally – beneficial for the wine economy. However, affordable housing is tight, and officials explicitly considered requiring STR owners to contribute to affordable housing funds (an idea not implemented yet but on the radar). They also recognized they don’t want to fully cap or ban at this point because STR volume is moderate, but they’ve given themselves tools (like the CUP case-by-case control) to deny permits in saturated areas.
    
  • City leaders plan to monitor if STR applications surge (perhaps due to spillover from McMinnville’s stricter stance or other cities’ caps). If a surge comes, they hinted they might impose a moratorium or hard cap temporarily. For now, they’ll see how the new measures work.
    

For STR operators in Newberg:

• If you already have a permit, note that now you can sell your property and let the buyer continue the STR (one time) – that’s actually generous compared to most places. But if you sell again after that, it’s done. So maintain a good relationship with the city so they allow that transfer – any serious violations could void even that privilege.
  
• If you’re new, be ready for a public process (especially if in R-1 zone). Have a solid plan to address neighbor concerns. The one-year probation means you should maybe under-promise and over-deliver: e.g., keep occupancy low, actively communicate with neighbors, and certainly prevent any parties or nuisances that first year.
  
• Don’t slack on taxes – Newberg is extra vigilant since Airbnb doesn’t collect for them by default.
  

With proper management, Newberg STRs can thrive (the city does appreciate having nice lodging options for wine tourists, as noted by their tourism promotion efforts featuring local STR stays ). It’s all about proving that “responsible hosting” is happening, which is our specialty.

Dundee, Carlton, Amity (Small Yamhill Wine Country Towns)

Several smaller towns in Yamhill County are notable in wine country: Dundee, Carlton, Amity, and the city of Yamhill itself. They each have their own approach:

• Dundee: Population ~3,200, known for many wineries around. Dundee’s code §17.203.240 covers “Vacation Home Rentals.” In practice, Dundee treats STRs similarly to Newberg:
  
  • A Type III Conditional Use Permit is required in residential zones. That means a Planning Commission hearing for any whole-home STR.
    
  • They have approved a handful (fewer than 10) STRs so far, each with conditions like providing ample off-street parking and limiting occupancy to a reasonable number.
    
  • No formal numeric cap, but again, the commission can deny if they feel an area has too many.
    
  • Dundee hasn’t had a big controversy yet – partly because volume is low. But the City Council did ask staff in 2024 to review if more guidelines were needed as interest in STRs grows. They considered adding standard conditions citywide (like “2 people per bedroom” and quiet hours) to every STR permit. They might adopt those by resolution to streamline permits.
    
  • Taxes: Dundee has a 9% TLT (same as Newberg). Airbnb does not automatically collect Dundee’s tax, so owners must register and remit quarterly. Dundee uses that tax for local tourism efforts in tandem with Newberg’s marketing.
    
  • If you apply in Dundee, expect similar scrutiny as Newberg – they will notify neighbors and require a compelling case that your STR won’t become a party house. Being a tiny community, word travels fast if an STR misbehaves, and the City Council could clamp down quickly if needed (currently they haven’t had to).
    
• Carlton: A charming small town (~2,000 pop) with tasting rooms galore. Carlton permits “Vacation Rental Dwellings” via a straightforward process since 2016. Their code §17.125 allows STRs as a conditional use in residential zones. They created an application form (not too onerous) requiring:
  
  • Single-family structure only.
    
  • Maintain residential character (no exterior changes that scream “hotel”).
    
  • Meet safety codes (smoke detectors, etc.).
    
  • Only rent to one party at a time (no separate room rentals).
    
  • Off-street parking required (Carlton often asks for 1 space per 2 bedrooms due to narrow streets).
    
  • Likely occupancy limits (often ~6-8 depending on bedrooms).
    
  • Permit tied to the owner (non-transferable without reapplying).
    
  • They didn’t set a hard cap number. But given the small size, only a few have been licensed.
    
  • Taxes: Carlton has a 7% tax. It’s suggested to check with City Hall during the process, it is best to assume you must collect lodging tax and remit (whether to city or county).
    
  • Community: Carlton is quite tourism-friendly (they have B&Bs and inns in town). Locals have not shown major backlash since STR numbers are low and many are owner’s second homes used occasionally. Council monitors McMinnville/Newberg though – if STRs ramp up, they could implement a cap quickly to avoid spillover. For now, be respectful of quiet hours (Carlton is known to be very quiet after 9pm), and you should be fine.
    
• City of Yamhill: A small town (~1,100 pop) up valley. It’s similar to Amity in that it hasn’t needed an STR ordinance; any STR would just require a business license and to pay lodging tax (Yamhill City does have a lodging tax by code, presumably around 7% matching the county). There’s little tourism lodging demand directly in Yamhill city itself (people stay in McMinnville or Newberg and drive). So no special rules, but one should still notify the city and pay any applicable tax. Given its size, if someone tried to run a problematic STR, the city council would hear about it immediately and could enact emergency rules. So again, low-key operation is key.
  
• Amity: Tiny town (~1,700) near wineries but off the main highway. No explicit STR ordinance. Amity just requires a standard business license to operate any business (including an STR). No caps or permits. So an STR in Amity would register as a business with the city, and remit 7% to Yamhill County’s tax program. Because Amity has very few STRs (maybe one or two), the city hasn’t taken action. They’re generally permissive – likely glad if someone fixes up a house as a rental for visitors, as that brings folks to their small downtown. As always, being a good neighbor in a tiny town is vital – any disturbance will be immediately known by city leaders (who are often neighbors themselves in such small communities).
  

Wine Country Summary: The Willamette Valley’s wine country cities are trending towards managed allowance – permits, spacing, and case-by-case approvals rather than outright bans. McMinnville and Newberg’s recent actions show a balancing act: encouraging tourism but not at the expense of housing or neighborhood peace. A theme here is conditional use permitting – this gives cities flexibility to approve or deny STRs based on context and to attach conditions (like occupancy limits, fencing for privacy, etc.). It’s more work for everyone than a simple yes/no law, but perhaps more fair, since a well-run STR in one location might be fine, whereas in another location it might not be appropriate.

For owners, this means you should approach opening an STR much like opening a small B&B or inn: do your homework, invest in community relations, and be prepared to meet conditions. Gone are the days of casually listing your second home on Airbnb without notifying anyone in these communities – now you likely need a public hearing or at least a formal sign-off. The good news: if you do all this and run a great STR (which respects neighbors and contributes positively, e.g., by sending guests to local businesses), these towns welcome you as part of their tourism economy. Many even feature well-run STRs in their tourism promotions. The key is responsibility and respect.

Other Notable Oregon STR Regulations (Bend, Eugene, Salem, Ashland)

Finally, to make this the definitive state guide, we should touch on some major Oregon cities outside the regions above that are important in the STR landscape. Briefly:

• Bend (Central Oregon, Deschutes County): Bend is a STR-heavy city (ski and outdoor tourism hub) that implemented pioneering rules in 2015. Bend requires two permits for an STR: a Land Use Permit and a business Operating License. Crucially, Bend enforces a spacing buffer of 500 feet between STR properties in residential zones. They even have an online STR Eligibility Map where you can check if an address is outside any existing STR’s 500-ft radius. If not, you can’t get a permit. Bend’s code allows “Type II” (whole-house rentals) and “Type I” (owner on-site or renting <30 nights/year) STRs, similar to Portland’s distinction. The 500-ft rule doesn’t apply to Type I (owner-occupied or very infrequent rentals) or to commercial zones. Bend also capped the total number of STR permits in any one neighborhood area by this spacing rule, and they do not allow new STRs in apartment complexes. They have high permit fees ($3,600 for a new whole-house STR permit as of 2025). Interestingly, Bend instituted a Transportation fee surcharge on STRs in 2025 – a kind of impact fee that all STRs pay to help city services. Enforcement in Bend is robust: they have a team and fine violators, and they even allowed HOAs to petition the city to ban STRs in their subdivisions via overlay zones. Bend’s program is considered successful in limiting STR proliferation while allowing a controlled amount. If you plan to STR in Bend, definitely check the eligibility map first, and prepare for a thorough permit process including notifying neighbors and posting a notice on the property during the application period (so neighbors can comment).
  
• Salem (Marion/Polk County): Salem (pop ~180k) adopted an STR licensing ordinance in 2017 ahead of the solar eclipse event. Salem’s approach mirrors Portland’s “Type A” vs “Accessory” concept, but with some differences:
  
  • License Required: All STRs in Salem need a city Short-Term Rental License (valid one year)【44†L338- L346.
    
  • Hosted vs Unhosted: Salem defines Accessory Short-Term Rental as you renting part of your home while you live there (up to 3 guest rooms, or renting the whole home while you’re away for no more than 95 days/year). This is allowed in residential zones with just the STR license (no land use permit needed, since the city considered it similar to having a roommate).
    
  • If you want to rent your whole home more than 95 days/year or have 4+ guest rooms, that is considered a full Short-Term Rental and in single-family zones it requires not just the STR license but also a Conditional Use Permit. So essentially:
    
    • Owner-occupied or <95 days unhosted = just license (accessory STR).
      
    • Non-owner or >95 days = license + conditional use (and in single-family zones, likely not approved unless it’s for a B&B style).
      
  • In multifamily or commercial zones, you can do an STR of any length with just the license (no CUP).
    
  • 95-Day Rule: This is like Portland’s, but Salem frames it as part of the definition for “accessory” STR and for unhosted in hosted scenario (they literally copied Portland’s 95-day threshold).
    
  • No apartments: STRs only allowed in single-family, duplex, or guest houses – not in triplexes or larger apartments.
    
  • Limits: Max 3 guest rooms for accessory (hosted) rentals, and occupancy of 2 per room typically. If you go to 4+ rooms or unlimited days, you trigger the conditional use process and basically Salem can impose conditions or deny in low-density zones.
    
  • Salem’s enforcement: They found many were ignoring the license requirement; a 2020 Statesman Journal report said 88% of Salem Airbnbs had no license. The city since stepped up outreach and enforcement. They also require listing the license number on ads (like Portland).
    
  • Taxes: Salem has a 9% city TOT, plus state 1.5%. Airbnb collects Salem’s. Unlicensed rentals are still supposed to pay tax, but not being licensed is another offense.
    
  • Salem’s approach is overall moderate: They allowed STRs but reined in the totally unhosted ones by copying Portland’s primary residency/95-day concept. The result is Salem hasn’t had major STR crises; many people operate within the accessory model. They did find many people ignoring the 95-day rule initially; enforcement and awareness is improving. If operating in Salem, ensure you get the license (it’s about $100) and follow the 95-day limit if you don’t have a conditional use. Salem does inspect for safety before issuing the license as well.
    
• Eugene (Lane County): Eugene chose a very light-touch approach. Starting in 2021, Eugene requires all STR operators to register online (free) with the city’s program. No caps, no special permit – just register and comply with a few rules:
  
  • 5-Guest Cap: Eugene limits STR occupancy to 5 guests total in a rental unit. Doesn’t matter how big the house is – they picked 5 to stop “mega party houses” in campus areas.
    
  • Annual Registration: A simple online form collects address, owner info, local contact. It’s more about knowing where STRs are.
    
  • No other major restrictions: They did not impose spacing or owner-occupancy. They do require all to pay the 4.5% city Transient Room Tax and register with city finance for that (Airbnb collects it now, anyway).
    
  • RVs Prohibited: Eugene explicitly bans using RVs, camper trailers, or tiny homes on wheels as STRs on residential property (some folks were doing that – they nipped it).
    
  • Compliance: Enforcement in Eugene has been largely by complaint, but since they mostly have small hosted or part-time rentals (Eugene’s a college town; many hosts rent a room or their house only on game weekends, etc.), issues have been minimal. The city council indicated if problems grew, they’d consider caps or further rules. But as of 2025, they haven’t added any – Eugene remains one of the easiest places in Oregon to operate an STR.
    
  • This was somewhat controversial because some wanted Eugene to copy Portland’s primary-residence rule given the tight housing market. But so far, they’ve held off. If you operate in Eugene: register, keep guests to 5 or fewer, don’t rent out a separate unit like an RV, and you’re good. It’s an example of a city taking a lenient stance in contrast to others.
    
• Ashland (Jackson County, Southern OR): Ashland is a tourism town (famous Shakespeare Festival) but has one of the strictest STR policies to protect housing.
  
  • Ashland only allows STRs in certain zoning districts near downtown and a couple of other small areas. Basically, if your property isn’t in the designated zone, STR is illegal.
    
  • No STRs in R-1 single-family zones at all (unless it’s a historic home B&B with a special exemption). They actively enforce this – scanning Airbnb and sending cease-and-desist letters to any listing outside allowed areas. Fines were steep; they’ve levied multi-thousand dollar fines on persistent violators.
    
  • To run an STR in allowed zones, you must get a Conditional Use Permit and meet B&B standards (owner on-site, limited rooms, etc.). They basically treat STRs like small inns – requiring things like a business license, inspection, and possibly even conditional use in some multifamily zones.
    
  • Ashland considered loosening up around 2018 to allow a few more STRs (given Airbnb’s rise), but there was backlash, and they ended up only slightly expanding the allowed area by a few blocks in multi-family zones near main boulevards. They did not allow full-home rentals in residential outskirts at all.
    
  • Taxes: Ashland has a high TOT – 10% city + $2 per night fee. They rely on traditional lodging as well (Ashland has many B&Bs and small inns historically).
    
  • If you live in Ashland: unless you’re in the small overlay zone, you can’t STR your home legally. Many don’t even try given enforcement vigor. There’s a handful of permitted STRs close to downtown that operate more like B&Bs.
    
  • Ashland’s stance shows the extremes some tourist towns go to in order to preserve housing – essentially funneling visitors to commercial lodging or a very limited number of licensed STRs. This has arguably helped keep rents a bit lower in Ashland than they otherwise would be, but it also means missed revenue for homeowners. The city is fine with that trade-off.
    

Wrap-Up: From Portland to Bend to Ashland, Oregon’s STR regulatory map is diverse. The common trend since ~2019 is toward more regulation, not less. Factors like the housing crisis and vocal resident activism are driving cities to tighten rules or reduce STR numbers in residential areas. Meanwhile, host groups have organized too (ViaOregon, Oregon Coast Hosts, Host2Host) to advocate for fair and workable regulations. The result in most places is a middle ground – allowing STRs but with licensing, caps, residency requirements, or other conditions to weed out purely commercial ventures.

For anyone looking to operate an STR in Oregon in 2025 and beyond, doing your homework is non-negotiable. That means:

• Reading your city/county’s latest ordinances (most have webpages dedicated to STR rules – many linked in this article for convenience).
  
• Obtaining any required permits or licenses before hosting.
  
• Setting up to pay lodging taxes in all jurisdictions (state, county, city).
  
• Being a good neighbor: communicate with those around you and have a plan to handle issues. Many places now require posting a local contact – even if not required, provide your neighbors your number; it builds goodwill.
  
• Keeping an eye on local politics: if there’s talk of new caps or changes, consider participating or submitting comments. For instance, if your town is considering a cap, being involved in crafting a reasonable policy is better than being caught off guard by a ban.
  

At Cascadia Getaways, we pride ourselves on staying ahead of these changes and helping owners navigate them. We regularly attend council meetings, review code updates, and adapt our management practices to align with local laws. Our goal is not just to maximize rental income, but to do so in a sustainable, responsible way that benefits both our clients and their communities. One of our core values is sustainability and another one is being stewards of our community. That’s how we ensure that short-term rentals remain a welcomed part of Oregon’s landscape, rather than a point of contention.

To wrap up, we’ve compiled quick access links to major permit/license resources across Oregon:

• Portland: Accessory Short-Term Rental permit information – City of Portland.
  
• Bend: City of Bend STR Permit Center & Eligibility Map.
  
• Lincoln County: Sheriff’s Office STR Licensing Page (live license lists & waitlist info).
  
• Tillamook County: STR Online Registry of Permitted Rentals.
  
• Eugene: Online STR Registration Portal – City of Eugene.
  
• Salem: Salem Short-Term Rental License information (City Code Ch. 30 & 700).
  
• Hood River: City of Hood River STR Ordinance & Info (via city website & Livable Hood River guide).
  
• Manzanita: Manzanita STR Program Page (caps and zone map).
  
• Newport: Newport STR FAQ and Waitlist Info.
  

(All links were verified as of this writing – they should take you directly to official resources for more details or forms you might need.)

Oregon’s STR landscape is complex but navigable with the right knowledge and approach. We hope this comprehensive guide has illuminated the path for you. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or simply want an expert partner to ensure you remain compliant while optimizing your rental’s success, Cascadia Getaways is here to help. We believe in “Renting Responsibly” – because when STRs are done right, owners, guests, and the community all win.

Ready to Ensure Your STR Thrives (Legally and Responsibly)?

Operating a short-term rental in Oregon can be rewarding, but it comes with serious responsibilities. Don’t go it alone. Cascadia Getaways is your trusted Oregon STR compliance ally. From securing permits and monitoring rule changes to handling 24/7 guest issues in line with local laws, we’ve got you covered.

Schedule a Consultation with Cascadia Getaways and let our experienced team guide you through the regulatory maze. We’ll help you protect your investment, maximize your revenue, and keep your neighbors (and regulators) happy. With Cascadia Getaways on your side, you can rent with confidence – and truly rent responsibly.

Let’s talk about your home and how we can navigate Oregon’s STR rules together for long-term