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Changes to pilot program incorporate resident feedback after extensive outreach
OREGON CITY, Ore. – The Board of County Commissioners has made the county’s short-term rental (STR) registration program permanent after a pilot program that began in late 2023.
The county engaged in an extensive outreach campaign regarding the STR program to solicit resident feedback about the pilot program since late last year. Through an online town hall, in-person town hall, and written communications, residents voiced the benefits and drawbacks of the program.
Commissioners were guided by this feedback in choosing to permanently codify the STR program, with improvements. Those include:
- Increasing the STR fee from 0.85% of the amount charges for STR occupancy to 1.5%.
- The creation of two dedicated county staff STR program positions, to be funded from the STR fees. One of these two positions will be a code enforcement specialist, who will be dedicated to enforcing the rules of the program.
- New regulatory requirements, including (but not limited to) those involving STR registration, fee payments, subletting, occupancy, and contact information.
“When we enacted the STR pilot program in late 2023, we knew it wouldn’t be perfect, we knew we would need to learn during the pilot period and make improvements,” stated Commissioner Paul Savas, who helped develop the initial program. “We incorporated residents’ thoughts and feedback then, and we continue to appreciate residents’ thoughts and feedback now, to improve the program and move out of the pilot phase. We are very thankful to everyone who took the time to share thoughts with us. That doesn’t mean we’re done, though – we need to see how this next phase shakes out and we’ll continue to refine the program.”
Prior to the pilot program, there were no STR regulations affecting the unincorporated areas of Clackamas County (the program does not affect STRs within city limits). County staff estimate that there are over 1,300 STRs operating in unincorporated Clackamas County, with fewer than 300 of them registered.
The Board took the action this past Thursday, June 25. More on the STR program can be found on our website.