1. Clackamas County’s proposed short-term rental regulations
2. Clackamas County explores regulating vacation rentals

Owners of short-term rentals could be facing new fees, as Clackamas County proceeds with a public hearing process to discuss various proposed regulations on vacation homes.

The first of two public hearings is set to take place on Aug. 10, during the board’s weekly business meeting at 6 p.m. Part of the proposed regulations would be a 0.85% user fee in addition to the current 6% transient lodging tax.

If the county code is amended, these regulations would only apply to the unincorporated areas of Clackamas County, with no effect on short-term rentals within city limits.

Proposed regulations would require short-term rentals in unincorporated areas to register with the county and certify that the property meets certain safety standards. Short-term rentals will then have to abide by new program rules like posting notices for guests about the county’s noise control ordinance and providing at least one off-street motor-vehicle space per sleeping area.

Clackamas County also proposes requiring notices with contact information for people responsible while paying guests are on the property, posted in an area and size readily visible from the nearest public roadway. That person and/or company responsible for the short-term rental must be available 24/7 and able to respond to complaints within two hours.

Online rental sites like Airbnb and Vacasa have grown in popularity in recent years with a mixed reception from residents, as previously reported by Pamplin Media Group. Opponents of short-term rentals contend that there is already a shortage of affordable housing, which is only exacerbated by the increasing popularity of these rental properties. Other concerns exist around nuisances that can arise from noise, trash and unwanted visitors.

Others in the community find that there can be a lot of opportunity gleaned from short-term rentals, such as increased tourism and additional income for owners. Clackamas County is encouraging the public to provide testimony at the hearings, either in person or over Zoom.

As this would be a potential county ordinance change, two public hearings will be required, set 13 days apart. If passed, the ordinance would be effective after 90 days.

The full proposed regulations can be found online at clackamas.us.