Portland, Oregon Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Overview

Yes, short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in Portland, Oregon. The city has established a well-defined regulatory framework for Accessory Short-Term Rentals (ASTRs) that permits property owners and tenants to rent out bedrooms for stays of less than 30 days. Portland legalized vacation rentals in private homes in 2014, creating what are officially called "Accessory Short-Term Rental Permits" or "ASTRs." These are residential properties where part of the dwelling is used for short-term lodging while maintaining the property as a primary residence.

Portland operates on a "home-sharing" model rather than allowing entire-home rentals without resident occupancy. The city has two primary permit categories: Type A permits for 1-2 bedrooms (maximum 5 guests) and Type B conditional use permits for 3-5 bedrooms (maximum 10 guests). The city has also recently implemented an online application system and increased enforcement efforts to ensure compliance.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Portland

Step 1: Determine Your Permit Type

Type A ASTR Permit: Rent 1-2 bedrooms to maximum 5 overnight guests
Type B Conditional Use: Rent 3-5 bedrooms to maximum 10 overnight guests (requires conditional use review)
Commercial Use Permit: For properties not meeting Type A or B criteria

Step 2: Ensure Eligibility Requirements

Before applying, verify you meet these fundamental requirements:

The residential dwelling must be primarily used for long-term occupancy
Only part of the dwelling can be used for short-term rental purposes
You must rent bedrooms to overnight guests for less than 30 days
A resident must live in the dwelling unit for at least 270 days during each calendar year

Step 3: Choose Property Types

Eligible buildings include:

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) legally created
Attached duplexes, attached houses, condominiums
Units in cottage clusters, detached accessory structures
Duplexes, floating homes (individual or in moorage)
Houses, manufactured homes, mobile homes, residential trailers

Step 4: Submit Application

Use the city's online Civic Portal system:

Create a free account at the Civic Portal website
Complete application through the online system
Ensure accurate matching of permit numbers across all platforms

Step 5: Business Registration and Tax Compliance

Register as a business with Portland's Revenue Division
Collect and remit transient lodging taxes
Understand tax exemptions if grossing less than $50,000 annually

Step 6: Complete Safety Inspections

Ensure bedroom compliance with:

Legally created sleeping rooms
Minimum fire/life-safety requirements
Interconnected smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Permits Required

Accessory Short-Term Rental Permit (Type A or Type B)
- Valid for two years
- Renewals require confirmation of continued compliance
- Application fees are non-refundable
Business License
- Required for all businesses operating in Portland
- No payment due with registration if grossing under $50,000
- Annual filing required even if exempt
Conditional Use Review (Type B only)
- Required for 3-5 bedroom operations
- Maximum guests determined during review process
- Manual application process currently required

Documentation Required

Oregon Driver's License or Oregon Identification Card showing site address
Neighborhood notification copies with recipient address lists
Floor plans showing which bedroom is the resident's
Written permission from property owner (for tenant applicants)

Safety and Compliance Requirements

Interconnected smoke detectors in bedrooms and adjacent areas
Carbon monoxide alarms in each bedroom or within 15 feet of doors
Bedroom standards meeting Section 33.207.040.B.4 requirements
Inspection scheduling with Portland Permitting & Development

Tax and Business Compliance

Transient lodging tax collection and remittance
Business license registration and annual filings
Record-keeping of guest transactional data
Permit number display in all advertisements and property postings

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

Residency Requirements

Primary Requirement: Resident must occupy dwelling for minimum 270 days annually (approximately 9 months)
Away Time: Maximum 95 days per year when resident can be away while continuing STR operations
Verification: Oregon Driver's License or ID required; staff verify through DMV records
Alternative Living: On sites with ADUs, residents may live in either primary dwelling or ADU

Guest and Capacity Limits

Type A: Maximum 5 guests, 2 bedrooms
Type B: Maximum 10 guests, 5 bedrooms (determined through conditional use review)
Commercial Rentals: Six or more bedrooms require additional commercial building and zoning code compliance

Multi-Dwelling Structure Limitations

Only one unit per structure may have an ASTR permit, OR
Maximum 25% of total units may have permits (whichever is greater)
Applies to multi-dwelling structures, triplexes, fourplexes, cottage clusters

Operational Restrictions

Home Businesses: Type B home occupations with non-resident employees or customers prohibited
Commercial Events: No commercial meetings, luncheons, parties, or weddings for compensation
Services: Normal maintenance and repair services allowed, but no hired staff on-site for guest services
Employee Prohibition: No non-resident employees allowed on-site associated with the short-term rental

Safety and Inspection Requirements

Pre-Operation Inspection: Required before permit issuance
Focus Areas: Legal bedroom creation, fire/life-safety compliance, detector installation
Violation Corrections: 30-day correction period for safety violations
Re-inspection: Required after hazard corrections before operations can begin

Advertising and Marketing Requirements

Permit Display: Permit number required in all advertising
Accurate Representation: Advertisements cannot state capacity exceeding approved limits
Listing Compliance: Platforms must verify permit numbers before listing
Public Registry: All permits listed on Portland Maps Short-Term Rental Registry

Enforcement and Penalties

Unpermitted Operations: Subject to enforcement action and civil penalties
Violation Citations: Issued under Chapter 33.207 of Portland City Code
Monthly Fees: Accrue for uncorrected violations after 30-day notice
Platform Compliance: Marketplaces face $1,000 per violation per day for non-compliant listings

Contact Information

Primary Contact: Portland Permitting & Development

Accessory Short-Term Rentals Department

Phone: (503) 823-2633
Email: PPDaccessoryshorttermrental@portlandoregon.gov
In-Person Services: Development Services Center, 1900 SW 4th Ave.
- Available Tuesdays 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. and Thursdays 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
- Pre-scheduled appointments required

Revenue Division (Business Licenses and Taxes)

Transient Lodging Tax Program

Phone: (503) 865-2857
Email: TLTax@portlandoregon.gov
Business License Information: Available through Portland.gov Revenue Division

General City Services

Main Number: 311 or (503) 823-4000
TTY: 711 (Oregon Relay Service)
Email: 311@portlandoregon.gov

Neighborhood Information

Office of Community and Civic Life

Phone: (503) 823-4519
Online: Portland.gov/civic/myneighborhood
Purpose: Neighborhood association contact information for notification requirements

Platform-Specific Support

Airbnb Issues: Contact Portland Revenue Division's Transient Lodging Tax team
General Registry Questions: Bureau of Development Services at (503) 823-2633

Links to Source Pages

This comprehensive regulatory framework positions Portland as having one of the more structured approaches to short-term rental management in Oregon, balancing property owner rights with neighborhood protection and affordable housing preservation. The city's recent implementation of online systems and increased enforcement demonstrates ongoing commitment to effective regulation and compliance monitoring.

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STR Regulations for Portland, Oregon