After 11 months of analysis and community engagement, a new program to manage short term rental properties in Bend is now in effect. Owners of short term rental properties must now submit operating license applications for each short term rental location in order to comply with the new City Ordinance. The deadline to apply for a license is September 1, 2015.
The City Council adopted the ordinance in April of this year. Short term rentals (STR) are defined by the City as rentals for 29 or fewer consecutive days per year, per tenant.
The initial application fee for a STR Operating License is $275. Annual renewals will cost $200. There will be a 30-day window after the September 1 deadline in which applications may be submitted, but a late fee of $50 will be assessed.
A STR Operating License will not be issued to applicants unless they have already obtained a STR Land Use Permit. More information regarding the land use permit can be found at www.bendoregon.gov/shorttermrentals.
If property owners fail to apply for a STR Operating License by October 2, 2015 their STR Land Use Permit will become void. Once it is void, in order to operate a short term rental, property owners will need to reapply for the land use permit and will be subject to the new rules and regulations of the permit.
One of the new regulations for Type II permit applications, is that there shall be at least 250 feet of separation between properties permitted as Short-Term Rentals.
Complete applications may be submitted via email to shorttermrentals@bendoregon.gov. They may also be hand delivered or mailed to Bend City Hall, Attn: STR Program Coordinator, 710 NW Wall Street Bend, OR 97701. For more information or assistance, visit bendoregon.gov/shorttermrentals.
