Portland Accessory Short-Term Rental (ASTR) Permitting Guide

Understanding Portland Accessory Short-Term Rental (ASTR) Permits

Operating a short-term rental in Portland requires strict adherence to local zoning and permitting regulations. The city categorizes these operations as Accessory Short-Term Rentals (ASTRs), which are intended to allow residents to rent out portions of their primary dwelling while maintaining the property's long-term residential character. Obtaining a Portland accessory short-term rental permit is a mandatory step for any operator, and failure to comply can lead to enforcement actions by Portland Permitting & Development (PP&D).

Type A vs. Type B Permits

Portland distinguishes between two primary types of ASTR permits. A Type A ASTR permit is for residents who rent no more than two bedrooms to overnight guests for stays of fewer than 30 consecutive days. These are the most common permits for homeowners and long-term renters. Type B conditional uses are required when the resident intends to rent out three or more bedrooms. Because Type B permits involve a conditional use review, the process is more rigorous and includes formal neighborhood notification procedures managed by the city.

Residency and Operational Requirements

The core of Portland's ASTR policy is the residency requirement. The individual or family operating the rental must reside in the dwelling unit for at least 270 days per year. This rule prevents the conversion of residential housing into full-time short-term rental units. Additionally, operators must register as a business with the City of Portland. For those managing multiple properties or complex portfolios, maintaining accurate records of these permits is essential to avoid compliance gaps, similar to the rigor required for general property permit tracking.

The Application and Renewal Process

The city has transitioned to the Civic Portal for managing ASTR applications and renewals. Applicants can submit, update, and pay for permits online, which is the preferred method for faster processing. Once issued, Type A permits expire every two years. It is the operator's responsibility to track these expiration dates to ensure continuous compliance. If you are managing a portfolio, integrating these dates into a property compliance calendar can help prevent accidental lapses that could trigger code enforcement.

Compliance and Enforcement

Portland Permitting & Development actively enforces ASTR regulations. This includes verifying that bedrooms used for rentals met building code requirements for sleeping rooms at the time they were created or converted. Operators must also provide notice to nearby neighbors and neighborhood associations as part of the Type A application process. Operating without a valid permit or violating the terms of the permit—such as failing to meet the 270-day residency requirement—will result in enforcement action.