Overview

Short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in unincorporated areas of Clackamas County, Oregon. The Clackamas County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved comprehensive STR regulations on September 7, 2023, which took effect December 6, 2023. These regulations apply only to unincorporated areas of the county and do not affect STRs located within city limits. The county plans to revisit these regulations in two years to evaluate their effectiveness.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Clackamas County

Starting an STR business in Clackamas County involves a straightforward registration process. The county has designed the requirements to be business-friendly while maintaining safety and community standards.

Step-by-Step Process:

1. Property Qualification: Ensure your property is a legally-established, permanent dwelling unit in an unincorporated area of Clackamas County. The dwelling cannot have been approved through land use processes that specifically limit occupancy or duration (such as accessory farmworker dwellings, caretaker dwellings, or temporary dwellings for care).

2. Registration Application: Complete the free STR registration application available at www.clackamas.us/str. The application requires a signed affidavit of compliance.

3. Safety Compliance: Certify that your property meets all building and fire safety standards as outlined in the regulations.

4. Tax Registration: Submit a Transient Room Tax registration form to the county.

5. Insurance Verification: Provide proof of liability insurance coverage for the STR.

6. Contact Designation: Designate a responsible party who will be available 24/7 to respond to complaints within two hours.

7. Registration Activation: Once approved, receive your registration identification number, which must be included in all advertisements and rental platforms.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Essential Documentation:

Registration Application Components:

• Property location details
• Property owner information (names, phone numbers, addresses, email addresses)
• Certification of compliance with building and fire standards
• Transient Room Tax registration confirmation
• Designated contact person information (must be available 24/7)
• Proof of liability insurance coverage
• Signed compliance affidavit
• Confirmation that subleasing is prohibited and owner will terminate agreements if subleasing is discovered

Tax Requirements:

• Oregon Transient Lodging Tax registration (1.5% of rental amount)
• Clackamas County Transient Lodging Tax registration (6% of rental amount)
• Clackamas County STR Administration Fee registration (0.85% of rental amount)

Insurance Requirements:

• Liability insurance coverage for the short-term rental property

Ongoing Compliance Documents:

• Maximum occupancy posting (clearly displayed in the STR)
• Noise control ordinance notice posting
• Registration identification number display
• Responsible party contact information display (visible from nearest public roadway)

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

County-Level Regulations (Chapter 8.10 Clackamas County Code)

Occupancy Limits:

• Maximum 15 occupants per STR (absolute limit)
• Maximum occupancy calculation: 2 occupants per sleeping area plus 4 additional occupants
• Roll-out beds and fold-out couches do not count as sleeping areas but can accommodate the 4 additional occupants
• Must be posted in STR, disclosed in advertising, and included in rental agreements

Safety Requirements:

• Working smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors installed and maintained per Oregon Residential Specialty Code
• Minimum two working fire extinguishers per dwelling unit (one in kitchen, one next to wood-burning appliances)
• Code-compliant pool and hot tub barriers
• Each sleeping area must have at least one operable emergency escape and rescue opening
• No open building or zoning code violations allowed

Parking Requirements:

• One off-street motor vehicle parking space per sleeping area
• Garage space may be used if sufficient cleared space is provided
• Vehicles must never block emergency vehicle access, premises access, or other parked vehicles
• Violations subject vehicles to immediate towing per ORS 98.853
• STRs in rural tourist commercial district "resort accommodations" follow originally approved parking standards

Operational Standards:

• Garbage must be legally removed at least once per week during occupancy
• All outdoor garbage receptacles must be covered and secured
• Recycling containers must be available for renters
• Subleasing is strictly prohibited and must result in immediate termination of rental agreements
• Properties with accessory dwelling units (ADUs): only one dwelling on the lot can be used as an STR due to owner-occupancy requirements

Advertising Requirements:

• STRs cannot be publicly advertised unless registered with the county
• Registration identification number must be included in all advertisements and rental platforms
• Maximum occupancy must be disclosed in all advertising

Contact Requirements:

• Contact information for responsible party must be posted while paying guests are on property
• Contact information must be visible from nearest public roadway
• Responsible party must be available 24/7 and able to respond to complaints within two hours

Noise and Nuisance:

• Notice of county noise control ordinance (Chapter 6.05) must be clearly posted
• Occupants must comply with noise control standards
• Late-night noise restrictions apply

Tax and Fee Obligations:

• Oregon Transient Lodging Tax: 1.5% of rental amount
• Clackamas County Transient Lodging Tax: 6% of rental amount
• Clackamas County STR Administration Fee: 0.85% of rental amount

Enforcement and Violations:

• County may examine financial records, operational information, and premises at any reasonable time
• Emergency revocation possible if fire or life safety risks exist
• Two written warnings maximum before formal enforcement
• Operating without registration or while suspended results in immediate citation
• Violations punishable by suspension, revocation, and/or fines

State-Level Regulations (Oregon)

Oregon Transient Lodging Tax:

• 1.5% tax on reservations less than 30 nights
• Applies to all non-optional fees including cleaning and pet charges
• Revenue supports Oregon Tourism Commission

Building and Fire Codes:

• Must comply with Oregon Residential Specialty Code for safety equipment
• Subject to Oregon building and fire safety standards

Registration Termination:

• Registration terminates automatically if property is transferred
• Registration terminates if state statutes change to prohibit STR operations

City-Specific Regulations

Note: The Clackamas County STR regulations specifically do not apply within incorporated city boundaries. Each city may have its own STR regulations that must be researched separately.

Contact Information for Local Authority

Clackamas County STR Administration

Primary Contact:

• Clackamas County Department of Finance
• Phone: 503-655-8581
• Email: bcc@clackamas.us

Policy Advisors:

• Caroline Hill

• Phone: 503-655-8581

• Email: bcc@clackamas.us

• Everett Wild

• Phone: 503-655-8581

• Email: bcc@clackamas.us

STR Webpage:

• Website: www.clackamas.us/str
• Registration applications available online
• Future updates posted on this page

Media Contact:

• Dylan Blaylock, Clackamas County Public Affairs

Historical Information Contact (Planning Department):

• Martha Fritzie
• Phone: 503-742-4529
• Email: mfritzie@clackamas.us

County Administrator:

• Administrator or designated representative handles registration administration

Source Pages

Primary Regulatory Documents:

• Clackamas County Code Chapter 8.10 - Short-Term Rentals: dochub.clackamas.us/documents/drupal/06f843f3-eba8-489a-8a6e-e79998f8cfd9
• Clackamas County STR Webpage: www.clackamas.us/str

Official Announcements:

• Board of County Commissioners Approval Announcement: www.clackamas.us/news/2023-09-07/board-of-county-commissioners-approves-short-term-rental-regulations

Historical Planning Information:

• 2019 STR Regulations Information Sessions: dochub.clackamas.us/documents/drupal/a460fc3e-7ac8-46c7-8fe1-51835f0c37d3

Third-Party Resources:

• Hostaway Oregon Airbnb Guide (mentions Clackamas County): www.hostaway.com/blog/airbnb-rules-in-oregon/
• Porch Light Vacation Rentals STR Regulations (mentions Clackamas County): stayporchlight.com/short-term-rental-regulations/

State Tax Information:

• Oregon Department of Revenue Transient Lodging Tax: www.oregon.gov/DOR/programs/businesses/Pages/lodging.aspx

Application Resources:

• Draft STR Rental Application (referenced in news article): dochub.clackamas.us/documents/drupal/33c9e8f8-1475-40ac-9e3d-d7d95b3edd66

This guide is based on current Clackamas County regulations as of December 2023. The county plans to review these regulations in two years, so investors should regularly check the official county website for updates and changes to requirements.