Clatsop County OR : Commissioners approve vacation rental ordinance

Recognizing the growing use of residential homes as vacation rentals, the Clatsop County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday voted to adopt an ordinance designed to ensure the safety and well-being of renters and limit conflicts with neighbors.

The ordinance regulates dwelling units, including accessory dwelling units, rented out for up to 30 consecutive nights. The rules apply only to properties in the unincorporated county with the exception of the Arch Cape community, which is already covered by a vacation rental permitting program enacted by the county in 2004.

The new regulations take effect July 1.

The ordinance grew out of discussions last year between commissioners and county staff over the recent growth in the number of short-term rentals - close to double the number since 2010 - as well as recent complaints about inadequate septic systems, emergency exits and electrical wiring in some rental dwellings. Staff noted that vacation rentals are not currently subject to the same fire and safety rules imposed on hotels, motels and bed-and-breakfast establishments.

Under the ordinance, vacation rental owners will be required to obtain a permit from the county Community Development Department. Permits will be contingent on the property passing an examination by a certified building inspector showing the dwelling meets minimum standards on electrical, heating and septic systems, stairways, decks and balconies, and the number and location of emergency exits, smoke alarms and fire extinguishers.

Maximum occupancy is set at three people per sleeping area plus two more, and the permits will also carry requirements for garbage containers, off-street parking and 'quiet times' between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. Rental owners will also be required to collect and pay the county's transient room tax.

Rental owners will have 90 days from the ordinance's effective date to apply for a permit. The permits will be valid for five years and renewable following a re-inspection, and are transferable to new owners. The ordinance does not place a cap on the total number of vacation rentals allowed in the county.