Regulations >
Oregon >
Condon

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

C

Condon, OR

Challenging To Investors

Local STR Agent

Local STR Agent

Condon STR Expert
Condon, Oregon skyline

STR Regulations for Condon, Oregon

Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Condon, Oregon?

Condon has a temporary moratorium on new short-term rentals that was under discussion in April 2023. This means no new STR permits are being issued while the city evaluates regulations. Existing STRs may operate, but new entrants must wait for the moratorium to be lifted. The city has not established permanent STR rules as of the latest available data. This makes the legality of new STRs in Condon currently uncertain.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Condon

  1. Verify Current Status: Contact the City Administrator to confirm if the moratorium is still in effect or has been lifted.
  2. Compliance During Moratorium: If operating an existing STR, comply with all state and federal regulations (see State Requirements below).
  3. Post-Moratorium Steps: Once lifted, prepare to:
    • Register for a transient lodging tax account with the Oregon Department of Revenue.
    • Obtain any city permits/licenses if required by new ordinances.
    • Complete state tax filings and local compliance steps.

Required Documents, Permits, and Guidelines

  • State Requirements:
    • Transient Lodging Tax Registration: No formal state license required, but you must register when filing your first quarterly tax return.
    • Quarterly Tax Filings: Due April 30, July 31, October 31, and January 31.
    • Oregon Lodging Tax (1.5%): Collected from guests and remitted quarterly. Additional local taxes may apply.
  • Local Requirements: None currently enforced due to the moratorium. Future city permits/licensing requirements are unknown.
  • Documentation to Prepare: Site plan, floor plans, proof of insurance, and proof of residence (if owner-occupied models are permitted post-moratorium).

Regulations Hierarchy: City, County, and State

  1. State of Oregon:
    • Transient Lodging Tax: 1.5% state rate. File quarterly returns.
    • Proposed Legislation: Senate Bill 621 (2019) aimed to preempt local STR restrictions but has not advanced.
  2. Gilliam County: No county-specific STR regulations found in the provided content.
  3. City of Condon:
    • Moratorium (2023): Six-month ban on new STRs while regulations are developed.
    • Future Ordinances: Pending; no details on zoning, licensing, or occupancy limits.
  4. Oregon Cities: For reference, Bend, Eugene, Portland, and Salem have specific rules (e.g., Bend requires operating licenses; Portland only allows accessory STRs).

Contact Information

Links to Source Pages

Critical Notes for Investors

  • Risk of Moratorium Extension: Condon may extend or make the moratorium permanent. Monitor city council agendas.
  • State Tax Compliance: Even with a moratorium, existing STRs must remit state lodging taxes.
  • Future Regulatory Uncertainty: No clarity on zoning caps, safety inspections, or licensing fees post-moratorium.

Recommendation: Verify the moratorium’s current status before proceeding and prepare for dynamic regulation changes. For existing operators, prioritize state tax compliance.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Condon?

Condon hosts earn a median $36,264/year with $187 ADR and 86% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $55,804+ per year.

See the full Condon market breakdown

Next step

Found a property in Condon?

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 Condon

Free brief

Get the free Condon STR Investment Brief

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

Condon

Market Saturation Score

036912
High Saturation
8/ 12
months with declining YoY revenue
8–10 declining months: high saturation - supply likely outpacing demand.
View Full Condon Market Analysis

Photos of Condon

Overview of Condon

Condon is a small rural city in Gilliam County in north-central Oregon, with a population of roughly 700 residents. Set on the broad, wind-swept Columbia Plateau, it functions as the county seat and the commercial hub for the surrounding wheat and cattle ranches that define this stretch of eastern Oregon. The town has a quiet, unhurried character shaped by its agricultural roots, wide streets, and big-sky horizons, and it serves as a natural gateway for travelers heading toward the fossil-rich canyons and river corridors to the south. Condon sits about 150 miles east of Portland, roughly a three-hour drive, and around 100 miles south of the Columbia River at The Dalles.

One of the most compelling draws near Condon is the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, a vast preserve of badlands, painted hills, and fossil-bearing rock layers that spans much of north-central and central Oregon. The Clarno Unit of the monument, known for its ancient volcanic ash deposits and plant and animal fossils from around 40 million years ago, lies approximately 25 to 30 miles southeast of Condon. The Sheep Rock Unit and the iconic Painted Hills are further afield but still within a day's drive, making Condon a practical base for visitors hoping to explore multiple sections of the monument.

A second nearby destination is Cottonwood Canyon State Park, situated along the John Day River about 30 to 40 miles south of Condon. The park encompasses more than 8,000 acres of canyon and river habitat, offering hiking, camping, horseback riding, and float trips on one of the longest undammed stretches of river in the lower 48 states. Its remote feel and dark night skies contrast with the more developed recreational areas to the west, giving visitors a sense of undiscovered Oregon.

Within Condon itself, visitors can explore the Gilliam County Historical Museum, which preserves artifacts and photographs from the region's ranching, railroad, and pioneer past. The town's historic Main Street, with its early-twentieth-century brick buildings, reflects the prosperity the town enjoyed when it was a busy shipping point for grain. Local diners, a small grocery, and a handful of shops give the town an old-fashioned, walkable feel that contrasts with the vast agricultural landscape surrounding it.

Condon makes a compelling base for short-term rentals because it combines genuine small-town character with proximity to some of Oregon's most distinctive natural attractions. Visitors who stay here can spend their days exploring fossil beds, hiking canyon trails, or fishing the John Day River, then return in the evening to a quiet community where the stars come out bright over the wheat fields. For travelers seeking an off-the-beaten-path experience of eastern Oregon, Condon offers both an authentic rural atmosphere and convenient access to a remarkable region.

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

Enter an address to get instant revenue potential and comps.