Overview: Are STRs allowed in Bay City, OR?

The provided materials do not include any Bay City, Oregon (OR) short‑term rental (STR) regulations, licensing rules, application forms, fees, or contact details. In the absence of city‑specific content, state‑level Oregon resources applicable to STRs and a related regional program are presented below. Investors must verify any local (city or county) rules with Bay City and/or Clackamas County before commencing operations.

• Bay City is a city within Clackamas County, Oregon (county seat: Oregon City).
• No Bay City, OR STR bylaw, application, or fee schedule appears in the provided documents.
• Clackamas County’s Lodging Development Agreement (LDA) program and Registration/Renewal Process (RRP) materials are included and may be relevant to properties in unincorporated Clackamas County (including any parts of Bay City that are in the URC—confirm with local authorities).

How to read this guide:

• If the STR is inside the incorporated limits of Bay City, OR, check Bay City’s municipal code and planning/zoning for STR rules. If the property is in unincorporated Clackamas County, the LDA and RRP materials below likely govern.
• Oregon also imposes a state lodging tax, and county lodging taxes may apply (see state section).

State‑Level Rules (Oregon): what applies regardless of city/county

Because no city‑specific material is provided for Bay City, OR, the following state‑level information is the most reliable baseline for Oregon STRs.

• State lodging tax:
  • Oregon levies a transient lodging tax (often called the “lodge tax” or lodging tax) on the price of short‑term accommodations. Operators must collect this tax from guests and remit it to the Oregon Department of Revenue on the appropriate schedule for lodging providers.
  • Registration and remittance are administered by the Oregon Department of Revenue; rules, rates, and filing frequency are set by the state. Always confirm current rates and requirements with the Department of Revenue.
• Statutory definitions (referenced within the attached LDA framework; used by many jurisdictions for STR programs):
  • Lodging: the provision of space in a dwelling or other structure for a consideration for fewer than 30 days (definitions vary by jurisdiction).
  • Host: the person who owns or operates the lodging.
  • Operator: any person who provides lodging or collects consideration.
  • Platform/Company: an online or other facilitator that arranges, brokers, or charges for stays.
  • Operator‑Managed (previously “Owner‑Operated”): stays where the host controls both the property and guest interactions.
  • Company‑Managed: stays facilitated by a platform that collects guest payments.
  • Principal Residence: a dwelling unit that the host uses as their primary residence as defined by local code.
• Registration:
  • Many Oregon jurisdictions require STRs to register, even if no license or permit is required. The Clackamas County LDA program (for unincorporated areas) and the RRP materials address registration requirements.
• Local preemption note:
  • Oregon law prohibits municipalities from “duplicating” certain platform functions (e.g., requiring platforms to obtain a local license to do what state law already does), subject to the Preemption Interpretation Rule under Oregon law. Plan checks may still apply at the local level (e.g., fire, life safety, planning, zoning).
• Important: This guide does not include Bay City, OR municipal code. Confirm any local STR prohibitions, caps, operational standards, or tax rules with Bay City and Clackamas County.

Clackamas County Unincorporated Area: LDA Program and RRP (if property is unincorporated)

Note: The following documents concern Clackamas County’s Lodging Development Agreement (LDA) program and Registration/Renewal Process (RRP). They may apply to properties in unincorporated Clackamas County, not to the City of Bay City. Confirm your jurisdiction (city vs. unincorporated county) before relying on these.

• LDA Program Framework:
  • Program purpose and definitions are provided in “BYLAW NO. 2023-059 – ATTACHMENT A – Clackamas County Lodging Development Agreement (LDA) – Final 2023-12-15” and “Clackamas County LDA – Definitions – Draft 2023-11-30” (see Sources).
  • LDA approvals may be required before registration in certain areas. The LDA outlines the process, eligibility, and responsibilities.
• Registration/Renewal (RRP) Forms:
  • Registration/Renewal Form – Individual (Fillable) – v2024-05-10: for individual hosts registering or renewing.
  • Registration/Renewal Form – Business (Fillable) – v2024-05-10: for businesses/companies registering or renewing.
  • These forms collect owner/operator information, unit details, and compliance attestations. Refer to the RRP FAQs (attached) for common questions and clarifications.
• Operational Standards and Compliance:
  • Operational Standards – DRAFT 2023-11-30: sets performance standards for registered lodging (e.g., safety, signage, contact requirements, and guest rules). Confirm the latest adopted version with Clackamas County.
  • Compliance FAQ – DRAFT 2023-12-01: clarifies enforcement and typical compliance issues (noise, trash, parking, safety equipment, etc.). Confirm current policy with the county.
• Fees:
  • STR Fees Schedule – Effective 2024-01-15: outlines application and annual fees, late fees, and any inspection fees. Confirm amounts and applicability for your unit type.
• Certificates and Agreements:
  • Certificate of Good Standing – ATTACHMENT F – DRAFT 2023-12-15: used to verify compliance with county obligations as part of LDA or registration processes.
• Relationship to Bay City:
  • If your property is inside Bay City’s corporate limits, the city’s zoning and municipal code control. If it is outside the city limits within unincorporated Clackamas County, the LDA and RRP program apply. Verify jurisdiction with Bay City and Clackamas County before proceeding.

How to Start a Short‑Term Rental in Bay City, OR (practical pathway)

Given the limited available source content for Bay City, OR:

1. Determine jurisdiction

• Is the subject property inside Bay City limits or in unincorporated Clackamas County? Contact Bay City and Clackamas County to confirm.

2. Check zoning and land use

• Confirm that STRs are a permitted use in the property’s zoning and that there are no density or unit caps applicable in the city/county.
• If the property is in unincorporated county areas subject to the LDA program, obtain LDA approval before registration (if required).

3. Registration/permit

• For unincorporated Clackamas County, submit the appropriate RRP form (Individual or Business) and comply with any inspection or certification requirements.
• For Bay City, OR, apply for any city-required STR registration or permit. The provided sources do not include Bay City forms or procedures.

4. Taxes

• Register for Oregon state lodging tax with the Oregon Department of Revenue and set up collections/remittance.
• Check for any applicable county lodging tax. Bay City sits within Clackamas County; county lodging tax rules may apply to unincorporated areas. Verify with Clackamas County.

5. Insurance and safety

• Obtain liability insurance appropriate for transient lodging. Follow operational standards (as applicable) for fire safety, carbon monoxide alarms, posted rules, and contact signage.

6. Operations and platform compliance

• If your listing is managed by a platform, comply with the state and any local platform rules.
• Post required guest rules and your local 24‑hour contact number in the unit. Maintain compliance with operational standards (for county areas) or city requirements (if any).

7. Renewal and ongoing compliance

• Track renewal deadlines (RRP renewals for county properties) and fee schedules; ensure guest communications and on‑call responsiveness meet standards.
• Monitor complaint and enforcement processes; in county areas, respond promptly to compliance matters to avoid demerits or suspension.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Note: The following lists are based on the attached Clackamas County documents and general Oregon lodging tax requirements. The specific Bay City, OR list is not available in the provided materials.

• For unincorporated Clackamas County (likely not applicable to properties inside Bay City):
  • Registration/Renewal Form – Individual (Fillable) – v2024-05-10
  • Registration/Renewal Form – Business (Fillable) – v2024-05-10
  • LDA Approval (if required): BYLAW NO. 2023-059 – ATTACHMENT A – Clackamas County LDA – Final 2023-12-15
  • Definitions: Clackamas County LDA – Definitions – Draft 2023-11-30
  • Operational Standards: Operational Standards – DRAFT 2023-11-30
  • Compliance FAQ: Compliance FAQ – DRAFT 2023-12-01
  • Fee Schedule: STR Fees Schedule – Effective 2024-01-15
  • Certificate of Good Standing: Certificate of Good Standing – ATTACHMENT F – DRAFT 2023-12-15
• For Bay City, OR (not provided in sources):
  • Confirm Bay City STR registration/permit requirements, inspection standards, fee schedule, and any city‑specific forms directly with Bay City.
• State of Oregon:
  • Oregon lodging tax registration with the Oregon Department of Revenue; follow their instructions for collection/remittance.

Specific Regulations (what is and is not covered by the provided sources)

• City‑level (Bay City, OR):
  • Not provided. No Bay City STR bylaw, application forms, fees, or contact info appears in the attached materials. Investors must verify city rules directly.
• County‑level (Clackamas County – unincorporated areas):
  • LDA and RRP documentation likely governs registration and operations in unincorporated Clackamas County. Confirm applicability and adoption status of LDA and related operational standards.
• State‑level (Oregon):
  • Oregon lodging tax obligations apply statewide to short‑term lodging; definitions and tax structure come from Oregon statutes/regulations.
• Enforcement:
  • In county areas, compliance and enforcement rely on the attached FAQ and standards. For Bay City, enforcement mechanisms are unknown from the provided sources and must be verified locally.

Contact Information (relevant tooregons and county; no Bay City contacts in provided sources)

• Oregon Department of Revenue (state lodging tax):
  • Use the department’s website to register and remit lodging taxes. The specific phone/email for lodging tax administration is not included in the provided documents.
• Clackamas County (unincorporated STR registration and LDA):
  • Contact details for Clackamas County are not provided in the attached materials. Consult the county’s lodging program pages or contact the county directly for current registration, fee, and inspection contacts.
• Bay City, OR:
  • No Bay City STR contacts are included in the provided documents. Contact Bay City Hall to obtain the current STR registration contact information.

Links to Source Pages and Documents (as provided)

• BYLAW NO. 2023-059 – ATTACHMENT A – Clackamas County Lodging Development Agreement (LDA) – Final 2023-12-15
• Clackamas County LDA – Definitions – Draft 2023-11-30
• Registration/Renewal Form – Individual (Fillable) – v2024-05-10
• Registration/Renewal Form – Business (Fillable) – v2024-05-10
• Operational Standards – DRAFT 2023-11-30
• Compliance FAQ – DRAFT 2023-12-01
• STR Fees Schedule – Effective 2024-01-15
• Certificate of Good Standing – ATTACHMENT F – DRAFT 2023-12-15
• Bay City Rental Registration & Inspection (not an STR program; included by mistake)

Important Notes for Investors

• This guide reflects the information contained in the provided materials. It does not include city‑specific regulations for Bay City, OR.
• Always verify current rules and fees with Bay City and/or Clackamas County, and with the Oregon Department of Revenue for lodging tax matters.
• Avoid relying on county forms or fees for properties inside the City of Bay City; those materials may not apply. Confirm jurisdiction and requirements before submitting any applications.