Regulations >
Oregon >
Ashland

Want to see how Ashland compares to other top cities in Oregon?  Explore all city regulations in Oregon. →

C

Ashland, OR

Challenging To Investors

Local STR Agent

Local STR Agent

Ashland STR Expert
Ashland, Oregon skyline

STR Regulations for Ashland, Oregon

Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Ashland, OR?

Yes, short-term rentals are allowed in Ashland, Oregon, but with significant restrictions. Short-term rentals are legally defined as "Traveler's Accommodations" in Ashland's municipal code.

Key Restrictions:

  • Prohibited in single-family residential zones (R-1)
  • Permitted only in multi-family residential zones (R-2 and R-3) with a Conditional Use Permit (CUP)
  • Owner must reside on the property
  • Primary residence must be at least 20 years old
  • Property must be located within 200 feet of arterial or collector streets

This creates a very limited regulatory environment for STR investors, with most residential properties in Ashland's predominantly single-family neighborhoods being ineligible for short-term rental operations.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Ashland?

Ashland hosts earn a median $32,827/year with $189 ADR and 60% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $48,209+ per year.

See the full Ashland market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Ashland, OR

Step 1: Verify Property Eligibility

  1. Confirm zoning: Property must be in R-2 or R-3 zones only (not R-1)
  2. Check property age: Primary residence must be 20+ years old
  3. Verify location: Property must be within 200 feet of arterial or collector streets
  4. Confirm owner residence: You must live on the property

Major arterial streets include: Siskiyou, North and East Main, Wimer, Iowa, Wightman, Ashland, Mountain, Beach Street, and Morton

Step 2: Obtain Conditional Use Permit (CUP)

  • Submit CUP application through Community Development Department
  • Requires public notice to surrounding properties
  • Processing includes review of compliance with all applicable codes

Step 3: Meet Safety and Building Requirements

  • Complete fire department inspection before occupancy
  • Ensure compliance with all building, fire, and related safety codes
  • Address any code violations or safety concerns

Step 4: Obtain Business License and Tax Registration

  • Maintain valid city business license
  • Register for and pay Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT)
  • Include Planning Action number in all advertisements

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Land Use Approvals

  1. Conditional Use Permit (CUP) - Required for all traveler's accommodations
    • Application through Community Development Department
    • Public noticing requirements
    • Approval required before other permits

Safety and Building Compliance

  1. Fire Department Inspection - Required before occupancy
  2. Building Permits - If any modifications are needed
  3. Compliance with all building, fire, and safety codes

Business Operations

  1. City Business License
  2. Transient Occupancy Tax Registration
  3. Planning Action Number - Must be included in all advertising

Advertising Requirements

  • All advertisements must include City of Ashland Planning Action number
  • Offering residential property for traveler's accommodation without valid CUP, business license, and TOT registration is prohibited

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

Zoning Restrictions (Ashland Municipal Code)

  • R-1 Zones: STRs prohibited
  • R-2 and R-3 Zones: Permitted with CUP only

Operational Requirements

  1. Owner Residence: Business owner must reside on the property
  2. Property Age: Primary residence must be 20+ years old
  3. Location: Must be within 200 feet of arterial or collector streets
  4. Safety Compliance: Must meet all building, fire, and safety codes
  5. Inspection: Fire department inspection required before occupancy

Financial Obligations

  1. Transient Occupancy Tax: Must be collected and remitted
  2. Business License: Annual renewal required
  3. CUP Compliance: Ongoing compliance with permit conditions

Advertising Requirements

  • Planning Action number must be displayed in all advertisements
  • Advertising without valid permits is prohibited

Contact Information for Local Authority

Community Development Department (Planning Division)

Phone: 541-488-5305
Email: planning@ashlandoregon.gov
Physical Address: 51 Winburn Way, Ashland, OR 97520
Website: ashlandoregon.gov

Key Departments

  • Planning Division: Zoning questions, CUP applications
  • Building Division: Building permits, safety code compliance
  • Fire Department: Safety inspections, fire code compliance

Links to Source Pages

  1. Ashland Municipal Code - Traveler's Accommodations in R-2 and R-3
  2. Ashland Municipal Code - Conditional Use Permits
  3. Ashland Zoning Map
  4. Jackson County Property Data Online

Important Considerations for STR Investors

Ashland's regulatory environment presents significant challenges for short-term rental investment:

  1. Limited Market Access: Most residential properties in Ashland are R-1 zoned and ineligible
  2. Owner-Residence Requirement: Eliminates investment property opportunities for non-resident investors
  3. Location Restrictions: Properties must be near major streets, further limiting options
  4. Age Requirement: 20+ year old structures only
  5. Public Process: CUP process requires public notification and potential neighbor opposition

Given these restrictions, viable STR opportunities in Ashland are extremely limited, primarily existing in older multi-family properties located along major traffic corridors where the owner can reside on-site. Investors should carefully evaluate whether any potential property meets all regulatory requirements before proceeding with acquisition or development plans.

Next step

Found a property in Ashland?

Paste any address and get estimated revenue, cash-on-cash return, and comparable STR performance in under 5 minutes. 3 free analyses per day.

Ask the AI Advisor about Ashland

Free brief

Get the free Ashland STR Investment Brief

Revenue data, top neighborhoods, seasonal trends, and the key regulations for Ashland, Oregon in one email.

Ashland

Market Saturation Score

036912
Mild Saturation
4/ 12
months with declining YoY revenue
2–4 declining months: early saturation pressure - watch for trend persistence.
View Full Ashland Market Analysis

Photos of Ashland

Overview of Ashland

Ashland is a small arts-oriented city in Jackson County in southern Oregon, home to roughly 21,000 residents. Tucked into the foothills of the Siskiyou Mountains near the California border, it has the feel of a refined mountain town, with leafy streets, a walkable downtown, and a year-round cultural calendar that draws visitors from across the West Coast. It is best known as the home of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, one of the largest and longest-running nonprofit theater companies in North America, and it serves as a natural gateway to the outdoor landscapes of southern Oregon. The nearest sizable city is Medford, about 15 miles to the northwest along Interstate 5, while Portland sits roughly 280 miles to the north.

The centerpiece of Ashland's appeal is the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, which has been producing classical and contemporary plays in rotating repertory since the 1930s. Performances run nearly every day from February through November in a cluster of theaters just off the plaza, and the festival's presence anchors much of the city's dining, gallery, and lodging scene. Even visitors who do not catch a show find the OSF campus and surrounding downtown worth a stroll.

Just steps from the theaters, Lithia Park is a 93-acre greenway that threads through the heart of the city along Ashland Creek. It offers wooded walking paths, duck ponds, rose gardens, a Japanese garden, and tennis courts, all framed by granite boulders and the forested hillsides that rise behind town. Locals treat it as a year-round backyard, and visitors find it an easy way to absorb the town's character without a car.

About 15 miles south of town, the slopes of Mount Ashland form a small but lively alpine recreation area, with the Mt. Ashland Ski Area offering downhill skiing in winter and a network of hiking and mountain-biking trails in summer. The crest of the Siskiyous here also marks the route of the Pacific Crest Trail, which passes through some of its most scenic sections in this part of Oregon.

Roughly 90 miles to the north, Crater Lake National Park draws day-trippers and overnight visitors from Ashland. The deep blue lake, formed in the caldera of an ancient volcano, is one of the most photographed natural features in the Pacific Northwest, and the drive up via Highway 97 and Highway 62 typically takes a little under two hours. Closer in, the Rogue River corridor offers rafting, fishing, and scenic drives within an hour of town.

Ashland's combination of a world-class arts festival, an attractive walkable core, and easy access to Crater Lake, the Rogue River, and the surrounding mountains makes it a particularly strong base for short-term rentals. Guests can spend a morning at a Shakespeare matinee, an afternoon hiking in the Siskiyous, and an evening sampling the restaurants along the Plaza, all without leaving the orbit of this compact southern Oregon town.

Want to know if a property in Ashland is a good investment?

Enter an address to get instant revenue potential and comps.