Short-Term Rental Laws in Portland, OR (2026)
Portland allows short-term rentals only as 'Accessory Short-Term Rentals' (ASTRs) inside a dwelling where a long-term resident (owner or renter) lives at least 270 days per year — dedicated whole-home vacation rentals are effectively prohibited in residential zones. A Type A ASTR permit (up to 2 bedrooms, max 5 guests) currently costs $400 and must be renewed every two years (rising to $504 on July 10, 2026); renting 3-5 bedrooms requires a Type B conditional use review. The biggest restriction is the residency rule: the host may be away and renting to guests no more than 95 days per calendar year. Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.
Portland STR rules at a glance
| Legal status | Primary residence only |
|---|---|
| Permit required | Yes |
| Permit name | Accessory Short-Term Rental (ASTR) Permit (Type A for 1-2 bedrooms; Type B conditional use for 3-5 bedrooms) |
| Permit fee | $400 |
| Renewal | Biennial |
| Owner occupancy required | No |
| Primary residence only | Yes |
| Max units per owner | 1 |
| Total occupancy taxes | ~16% of gross revenue |
| Enforcement | Portland Permitting & Development (PPD) enforces ASTR rules, primarily via complaints and the Short-Term Rental Registry on Portland Maps; less than half of complaints from July 2023-June 2025 resulted in citations. Since May 2025, first violations get citations under a revised procedure, and unresolved or recurring issues are escalated to a Hearings Officer. A March 2026 City Ombudsman report found enforcement 'more punitive than enforcement by other cities across the country' (first-time maximum fines at least 27 times higher than any surveyed city, historically issued without warnings), prompting a May 2025 cap of $27,513 on first-time-offender fines applied retroactively (about $365,000 in fines dismissed for seven operators) and recommendations for a one-time warning and a ~$7,255 first-time maximum. |
| Current rules effective | 2025-07-01 |
What will guests pay in taxes on a Portland stay?
Itemized occupancy taxes for Portland, OR — enter your nightly rate to see the real cost breakdown.
Portland occupancy tax calculator
| Gross rent | $450.00 |
| Oregon Transient Lodging Tax (state) (1.5%)· collection varies | $6.75 |
| City of Portland Transient Lodgings Tax (6%)· collection varies | $27.00 |
| Multnomah County Transient Lodgings Tax (5.5%)· collection varies | $24.75 |
| Portland Tourism Improvement District (TID) fee (3%)· collection varies | $13.50 |
| Portland Housing and Homelessness Fee (nightly fee on short-term rentals) (0%)· collection varies | $0.00 |
| Total tax (16%) | $72.00 |
| Guest pays | $522.00 |
Estimate only. Platform collection varies by listing site and agreement; verify rates with the taxing authorities.
Permits & licensing
Portland requires Accessory Short-Term Rental (ASTR) Permit (Type A for 1-2 bedrooms; Type B conditional use for 3-5 bedrooms) to operate a short-term rental — the fee is $400, renewed biennial.
Per the PP&D Enforcement Fee and Penalty Schedule effective July 1, 2025 through July 9, 2026: Type A fee is $400 (listed as 'Business Operation Validation Fee' for 1 & 2 dwelling structures, renewing every 2 years; and as $400 initial/$400 renewal for multi-dwelling structures), with a $147 delinquent renewal fee. Fees increase July 10, 2026 to $504 (delinquent $186). Type B additionally requires a paid Conditional Use land use review plus a $245 inspection verification fee ($309 from July 10, 2026).
Zoning & location rules
ASTR regulations apply citywide in all zones (Portland Zoning Code Chapter 33.207). An ASTR must be accessory to a residential use: a resident must occupy the dwelling at least 270 days/year, and the host may be absent while renting no more than 95 days/year. Type A permits allow renting max 2 bedrooms to max 5 guests in any residential structure type (including ADUs, with a 2-bedroom site max); Type B (3-5 bedrooms) requires a Type II Conditional Use review. In multi-dwelling structures and triplexes, ASTRs are capped at 1 unit or 25% of units, whichever is greater. Commercial meetings (weddings, parties) are prohibited for Type A. In commercial zones, non-accessory STRs may instead be treated as a Retail Sales And Service use.
Taxes
| Tax | Rate | Who collects |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Transient Lodging Tax (state)Applies to stays of 29 nights or fewer. Airbnb and other registered platforms collect and remit for platform bookings; direct-booking hosts remit to the Oregon Department of Revenue. | 1.5% | varies |
| City of Portland Transient Lodgings Tax5% to the City general fund, 1% to Travel Portland. Registered booking agents (Airbnb, Vrbo, etc.) collect and remit on hosts' behalf; hosts must still register with the Revenue Division within 15 days and self-remit (quarterly) for direct bookings. | 6% | varies |
| Multnomah County Transient Lodgings TaxAdministered with the City tax by the Portland Revenue Division (combined city+county 11.5%). Platforms collect for platform bookings; hosts remit for direct bookings. | 5.5% | varies |
| Portland Tourism Improvement District (TID) feeTID rose from 2% to 3% effective July 1, 2024 (made permanent by Council in December 2023, replacing the 1% Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Surcharge). Applies to STRs and booking agents; Airbnb itemizes it (historically as 2% TID + 1% surcharge). | 3% | varies |
| Portland Housing and Homelessness Fee (nightly fee on short-term rentals)Flat $4 per night per stay (not a percentage) for stays of 1-30 nights, under City Code Chapter 6.09 (amended by Ordinance 191957 effective Jan 1, 2025). Due from booking agents/intermediaries and STR hosts; Airbnb collects it as the 'Portland Affordable Housing Fee.' Funds affordable housing and homelessness initiatives. | 0% | varies |
Enforcement & penalties
Portland Permitting & Development (PPD) enforces ASTR rules, primarily via complaints and the Short-Term Rental Registry on Portland Maps; less than half of complaints from July 2023-June 2025 resulted in citations. Since May 2025, first violations get citations under a revised procedure, and unresolved or recurring issues are escalated to a Hearings Officer. A March 2026 City Ombudsman report found enforcement 'more punitive than enforcement by other cities across the country' (first-time maximum fines at least 27 times higher than any surveyed city, historically issued without warnings), prompting a May 2025 cap of $27,513 on first-time-offender fines applied retroactively (about $365,000 in fines dismissed for seven operators) and recommendations for a one-time warning and a ~$7,255 first-time maximum.
ASTR citation fines under the FY2025-26 fee schedule: $1,451 first offense, $4,345 second, $7,239 third and each additional offense, assessable across up to five violation categories; total first-time-offender fines capped at $27,513 since May 2025. Fines rise to $1,829 / $5,475 / $9,122 effective July 10, 2026. A revoked Type A permit bars a new permit for that resident at that site for 2 years.
⚠️ HOA/condo rules may prohibit STRs regardless of city law.
Recent rule changes in Portland
April 27, 2026material
FY2026-27 fee schedule adopted: ASTR fees and fines rise July 10, 2026
PP&D's adopted Enforcement Fee and Penalty Schedule effective July 10, 2026 raises the Type A ASTR fee from $400 to $504 (delinquent renewal $147 to $186), the Type B inspection verification fee from $245 to $309, and ASTR citation fines to $1,829 (first), $5,475 (second) and $9,122 (third and subsequent offenses). Applications paid on or after July 10 pay the new fee.
Official source →March 4, 2026material
City Ombudsman report criticizes ASTR enforcement, recommends warnings and lower fines
The Ombudsman found Portland's STR enforcement more punitive than any surveyed city (first-time maximum fines at least 27x higher, no warnings), documented that fines fell disproportionately on non-white, immigrant and LGBTQ+ operators, and recommended a one-time warning for first-time violators, a maximum first-time fine of about $7,255 applied retroactively to 2024, proactive rather than complaint-based enforcement, and a hard 95-day cap on rental days.
Official source →May 27, 2025material
Citation procedure updated; $27,513 first-time fine cap; FY25-26 fee increases
The City updated its ASTR citation procedure (escalation to a Hearings Officer for unresolved or recurring violations) and adopted 5-6% increases to ASTR initial, renewal and delinquent fees effective July 1, 2025. In May 2025 PPD also adopted a $27,513 cap on fines for first-time offenders, applied retroactively — dismissing roughly $365,000 in fines against seven operators (one operator had faced $115,823).
Official source →January 1, 2025
Nightly STR fee code amended (Ordinance 191957)
City Code Chapter 6.09, which imposes the $4-per-night fee on short-term rental stays of 1-30 nights (itemizable to guests as the 'Portland Housing and Homelessness Fee', funding affordable housing and homelessness initiatives), was amended by Ordinance 191957 effective January 1, 2025.
Official source →July 1, 2024
Tourism Improvement District fee made permanent at 3%
Following a December 2023 City Council vote, the TID fee on lodging including short-term rentals rose from 2% to 3% and became permanent effective July 1, 2024, while the temporary 1% Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Surcharge was terminated — keeping the combined lodging take roughly level.
Official source →
Frequently asked questions
›Is Airbnb legal in Portland?
Airbnb is legal in Portland, OR, only for your primary residence — dedicated investment properties generally cannot be short-term rentals. Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.
›Do I need a permit for a short-term rental in Portland?
Yes. Portland requires a Accessory Short-Term Rental (ASTR) Permit (Type A for 1-2 bedrooms; Type B conditional use for 3-5 bedrooms) to operate a short-term rental, which costs $400 and must be renewed biennial. Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.
›How much does a Portland short-term rental permit cost?
The Accessory Short-Term Rental (ASTR) Permit (Type A for 1-2 bedrooms; Type B conditional use for 3-5 bedrooms) costs $400 (biennial renewal). Per the PP&D Enforcement Fee and Penalty Schedule effective July 1, 2025 through July 9, 2026: Type A fee is $400 (listed as 'Business Operation Validation Fee' for 1 & 2 dwelling structures, renewing every 2 years; and as $400 initial/$400 renewal for multi-dwelling structures), with a $147 delinquent renewal fee. Fees increase July 10, 2026 to $504 (delinquent $186). Type B additionally requires a paid Conditional Use land use review plus a $245 inspection verification fee ($309 from July 10, 2026).
›Can I Airbnb a non-primary residence in Portland?
Generally no. Portland limits short-term rentals to the operator's primary residence, which rules out running a dedicated investment property as a short-term rental in most cases. Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.
›What taxes do short-term rental hosts pay in Portland?
Hosts in Portland are subject to: Oregon Transient Lodging Tax (state) (1.5%), City of Portland Transient Lodgings Tax (6%), Multnomah County Transient Lodgings Tax (5.5%), Portland Tourism Improvement District (TID) fee (3%), Portland Housing and Homelessness Fee (nightly fee on short-term rentals) (0%) — roughly 16% total on gross rental revenue. Platforms like Airbnb collect some of these automatically; check each line's collection method on this page.
›What happens if I operate a short-term rental illegally in Portland?
ASTR citation fines under the FY2025-26 fee schedule: $1,451 first offense, $4,345 second, $7,239 third and each additional offense, assessable across up to five violation categories; total first-time-offender fines capped at $27,513 since May 2025. Fines rise to $1,829 / $5,475 / $9,122 effective July 10, 2026. A revoked Type A permit bars a new permit for that resident at that site for 2 years. Portland Permitting & Development (PPD) enforces ASTR rules, primarily via complaints and the Short-Term Rental Registry on Portland Maps; less than half of complaints from July 2023-June 2025 resulted in citations. Since May 2025, first violations get citations under a revised procedure, and unresolved or recurring issues are escalated to a Hearings Officer. A March 2026 City Ombudsman report found enforcement 'more punitive than enforcement by other cities across the country' (first-time maximum fines at least 27 times higher than any surveyed city, historically issued without warnings), prompting a May 2025 cap of $27,513 on first-time-offender fines applied retroactively (about $365,000 in fines dismissed for seven operators) and recommendations for a one-time warning and a ~$7,255 first-time maximum.
Portland's STR rules changed 4 times recently.
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Related
Nearby covered cities
- Vancouver, WAPermit required
- Camas, WAPermit required
- Seattle, WAPermit required
- South Lake Tahoe, CAPermit required
- San Francisco, CAPrimary residence only
Sources
- Accessory Short-Term Rental (ASTR) Permits - Portland.gov (Portland Permitting & Development)retrieved July 9, 2026
- Accessory Short-Term Rental (ASTR) Type A Permits - 1-2 Bedrooms - Portland.govretrieved July 9, 2026
- ASTR Permits - Read Before You Apply - Portland.govretrieved July 9, 2026
- Enforcement Fee and Penalty Schedule, City of Portland, effective July 1, 2025 (PP&D)retrieved July 9, 2026
- Portland Zoning Code Chapter 33.207 Accessory Short-Term Rentalsretrieved July 9, 2026
- Transient Lodgings Filing and Payment Information - Portland Revenue Divisionretrieved July 9, 2026
- Ombudsman report: Accessory Short-Term Rentals - Changes in City rules and enforcement methods needed (March 4, 2026)retrieved July 9, 2026
- Occupancy tax collection and remittance by Airbnb in Oregon - Airbnb Help Centerretrieved July 9, 2026
This page is informational only and is not legal, tax, or financial advice. Rules change and enforcement varies — verify current requirements with Portland and a qualified professional before operating.