Portland, Oregon Short Term Rental Regulations

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Reviewed by Karolyn Hutson

Last updated August 23, 2023

Portland Short-Term Rental Regulations

Information is maintained by the community to provide helpful insights and links to local regulations, HostScouts does not provide legal or investment advice.

City Code of Ordinances

Portland requires all hosts who host short-term stays (less than 30 nights at a time) to obtain an accessory rental or short-term permit (ASTR). Hosts must occupy their residence for at least 270 days to obtain this permit during each calendar year. Hosts are not permitted to rent a secondary residence like a second home or vacation rental. As a host, you are required to include your ASTR permit number on your listing. The greatest number of days the property host must be away from home and renting to overnight guests is 95—roughly 3 months.

Typical buildings you can use as a short-term rental are accessory dwelling units (ADU) that have been legally updated or built for sleeping purposes, attached duplexes and houses, condos, detached accessory structures that have been legally updated or built for sleeping purposes, duplexes, floating homes (individual or in a moorage), houses, and manufactured home mobile home, and residential trailer on its own lot or in a manufactured home park.

See the Portland Accessory Short-Term Rental Permits (ASTR) - Read Before You Apply page for more information and consult the Zoning Code Chapter 33.207, Accessory Short-Term Rentals.

Business License Requirements

There are two different application types for short-term rental permits:Everyone doing business in the City of Portland must register as a business with the City of Portland.

Building and Housing Standards

Portland has rules and regulations that specify minimum building, design, maintenance standards, habitability, health, and safety requirements. Some rules and regulations that apply to residential and non-residential properties may apply to your listing. Consult the List of Building Addresses Subject to Chapter 13 Regulations for more details.

Tourist and Local Taxes

The City of Portland, Multnomah County, and the State of Oregon all assess transient lodging taxes on hotels, motels, and short-term rentals.

Other Rules

Property owners must provide written permission for the tenant to apply for a permit.  It is also essential to understand and abide by other contracts or rules that bind you, such as leases, condo boards, co-op rules, HOA rules, or rules established by tenant organizations. Please read your lease agreement and check with your landlord if applicable. Visit Portland for more information.
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  • Short Term City Rating
    4.7
  • Competition

    2.9
  • Real Estate Cost

    4.8
  • STR Regulations

    4.0
  • Seasonality

    7.1
  • Rental Rates

    4.8

Portland, Oregon Quick Stats

Short-term rentals have gained a lot of traction in the last few years. The trends and statistics of this sector are constantly changing, and having access to accurate data is essential for making sound investment decisions.

Population
652,503
STR License Required
Yes
Tourist Season
County
Multnomah
Airports
Portland International Airport (PDX)
Portland Troutdale Airport (TTD)
Review our Portland Oregon short-term rental analytics guide, including rates, property types and other metrics

Want to learn more about Portland?

Hostscouts has you covered. Our guides for this city cover topics that can help you research cities across the US quickly and easily.

Check out our Portland rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the Portland rental market.

City Activities

Review the popular activities that hosts include in their property positing in Portland.

City Attractions

The most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings.

Portland Rental Rates & Fees

Explore nightly rates that hosts list their properties and the average fees for pets and additional guests.

Property Types & Sizes

What are the most popular property sizes for rent? Research whether a 1, 2, or 3 bedroom best fits Portland guests.

Interested in other Oregon cities?

Check out the Oregon Airbnb rules directory 

What makes Portland a great place to invest?

  • Thriving Food and Craft Beer Scene: Portland's culinary prowess is a food lover's dream, boasting a diverse array of innovative eateries and food carts. The city is also home to over 70 craft breweries, each with their own unique offerings, making it a haven for beer enthusiasts eager to explore the Pacific Northwest's distinct flavors.
  • Breathtaking Nature and Outdoor Activities: Portland's location at the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers makes it a perfect destination for nature lovers. With the stunning Columbia River Gorge, Mount Hood, and Forest Park, you'll never run out of hiking, biking, and water sports opportunities. Plus, the city's well-maintained parks provide tranquil spots for picnics and leisurely strolls.
  • Eclectic Arts and Culture Scene: Portland is a vibrant cultural hub, with a thriving music scene, world-class museums, and a plethora of art galleries. The city hosts numerous festivals and events throughout the year, such as the Portland Rose Festival, the Oregon Brewers Festival, and the Time-Based Art Festival, showcasing the city's creative spirit.
  • Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Practices: Portland is a pioneer in sustainable living, with a strong focus on green initiatives such as bike-friendly streets, electric car charging stations, and abundant recycling options. Visitors can feel good about exploring the city, knowing that their impact on the environment is minimized.
  • Sports Teams and Events: Sports enthusiasts will find plenty to cheer for in Portland, with the city's professional soccer team, the Portland Timbers, and the NBA team, the Portland Trail Blazers. In addition, the city hosts numerous annual events, such as the Portland Marathon and the Hood to Coast Relay, catering to a wide range of athletic interests.
  • Unique Shopping Experience: Portland offers a one-of-a-kind shopping experience, with a mix of independent boutiques, local artisans, and iconic brands. The city's numerous markets, like the Portland Saturday Market and the Portland Farmers Market, provide a treasure trove of handcrafted goods and fresh produce, making it easy to find the perfect souvenir or gift.

Portland Nearby Cities

Local Real Estate

How expensive is the real estate in Portland?

The cost of real estate can vary widely depending on the location, size, and features of the property, as well as market conditions. The median home value in Portland has decreased -4% over the past year, and the average price per square foot is $328, which is higher than the national average.

Median Sale Price

$597,780

-4% YoY

Median per Square Foot

$328

-4% YoY

Average Monthly Rent

$1,911

2% YoY

Property Descriptions

The most common terms hosts include in their listings for Portland, Oregon

Word Cloud for Portland, Oregon Short Term Rentals

Common terms for Portland short term rental listings.

When potential guests are scrolling through listings on Airbnb, they’re looking for certain essential information to help them decide if your property is the right fit for their needs. As a host, ensuring that your listing includes all the relevant information that guests will be looking for is vital.

Some of the must-have elements of a property description include:

  • Location: Guests will want to know where your property is located in relation to popular attractions, public transportation, and other points of interest.
  • Amenities: What amenities does your property offer? Be sure to list all features guests can access, such as a pool, hot tub, parking, etc.
  • Informative: The average listing in Portland has a description approximately 1,772 words long. Make sure yours is long enough to describe your property but doesn't require your potential guest to read a novel.

After reviewing more than 6,087 listings in Portland, we've consolidated the most common terms on the word cloud. The larger text represents a term that is used more often. The top ten mentioned terms are Portland, Block, Quiet, Comfortable, Place, Main, City, Patio, Easy, and Downtown Portland.

What are the most popular tourist activities in Portland?

Whether renting a house, an apartment, or a room, you should include popular tourist activities in your posting. The most common choices mentioned on property listings in Portland involve Museums, Hiking, Cycling, the Zoo, and the City Centre. When you write your listing, have a section with recommended activities near the property to give your guests an idea of what is available.

Museums

Hiking

Cycling

Zoo

City Centre

Outlet Shopping

Health Spa

Adventure Activities

Antiquing

Winery Tours

Boating

Swimming

Local Attractions

What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?

There are quite a few popular attractions in Portland, including Moda Center, Oregon Convention Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Hawthorne District, and Tom McCall Waterfront Park. Below we've included the most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings. Many hosts like to show off lesser-known regional landmarks visitors might not have heard of.

Well Known Attraction

Oregon Convention Center

Included on 57% of listings

Well Known Attraction

Hawthorne District

Included on 57% of listings

Well Known Attraction

Moda Center

Included on 57% of listings

Well Known Attraction

Portland Japanese Garden

Included on 57% of listings

Regional Landmark

Portland Art Museum

Included on 57% of listings

Regional Landmark

Lloyd Center

Included on 57% of listings

Regional Landmark

Providence Park

Included on 57% of listings

Well Known Attraction

Tom McCall Waterfront Park

Included on 56% of listings

Regional Landmark

Veterans Memorial Coliseum

Included on 54% of listings

Regional Landmark

Powell's City of Books

Included on 54% of listings

Well Known Attraction

Oregon Health and Science University

Included on 52% of listings

Regional Landmark

Oregon Museum of Science and Industry

Included on 51% of listings

What’s the weather like in Portland, Oregon?

The weather is generally milder than the national average, with an average high temperature of around 63°, while the average low is about 46°. The rainfall is much heavier, averaging about 52 inches per year, compared to the national average of about 27 inches. Snowfall is relatively rare, averaging less than 6 inches per year. The humidity levels in Portland are generally lower than the national average, and the city tends to be a bit cloudy for most of the year.

Winter

December through February

37° Low 47° High

Precipitation
22.7"
Snowfall
5.5"
Muggy Days
0.0 days
Cloudiness
74%

Spring

March through May

45° Low 62° High

Precipitation
12.2"
Snowfall
0.0"
Muggy Days
0.0 days
Cloudiness
64%

Summer

June through August

56° Low 80° High

Precipitation
2.6"
Snowfall
0.0"
Muggy Days
0.2 days
Cloudiness
30%

Fall

September through November

47° Low 64° High

Precipitation
15.0"
Snowfall
0.4"
Muggy Days
0.0 days
Cloudiness
53%