Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Bend?

**Yes**, Bend requires a Short-Term Rental Operating License to legally operate. You need to obtain this permit before listing your property on platforms like Airbnb or VRBO. The cost of the permit is $285, and it is valid for one year. Operating without a permit can result in fines.

What is the TOT tax rate in Bend?

**10.4% TOT** is the current transient occupancy tax rate for short-term rentals in Bend. Hosts are responsible for collecting this tax from guests and remitting it to the city. You should check with the city's finance department for specific instructions on how and when to remit these taxes. Failure to do so will incur penalties.

Are short-term rentals allowed in Bend?

**Yes**, short-term rentals are allowed in Bend, but they are strictly regulated. Bend enforces a 250-foot separation rule between STR properties, and each person is limited to one permit. Furthermore, ADUs built after 2016 are explicitly prohibited from being used as short-term rentals. Always verify current zoning.

How much does an STR permit cost in Bend?

**$285** is the fee for a Short-Term Rental Operating License in Bend. This permit is required to legally operate a short-term rental within the city limits. The permit is valid for one year, and hosts must renew it annually to maintain compliance. Make sure you apply for your permit well in advance.

Can renters host on Airbnb in Bend?

**No**, tenants are generally prohibited from hosting on Airbnb or other short-term rental platforms in Bend. The regulations are geared towards property owners obtaining the necessary permits and complying with tax requirements. Renters should always check their lease agreements and local ordinances before listing a property they don't own. Subletting is often restricted.

Bend, OR Short-Term Rental Laws &... | Learn STR by GoStudioM

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Summary

Bend strictly regulates short-term rentals through a 250-foot separation rule and a one-permit-per-person limit. New ADUs built after 2016 are explicitly prohibited from being used as short-term rentals.

Restriction Level

⛔

Strict

Score: 36 (restrictive)

Why this classification:

•Standard permit fee: $285
•Limited to 1 property per owner
•Tenants cannot host
•Permit required
•Reporting required
•No night cap
•No primary residence requirement

In Plain English

At a Glance

Permit Required

Yes

Night Limit

None

Primary Residence

Not Required

Total Tax Rate

0.1%

Permit Fee

$285

Processing Time

4-6 weeks

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

1.250-Foot Buffer: You cannot get a permit if another active STR is within 250 feet of your property.
2.One Permit Rule: Individuals are limited to only one STR permit in the city.
3.ADU Ban: Most Accessory Dwelling Units cannot be used as STRs if they were built after 2016.
4.Abandonment: If you don't rent the unit at least once in a 12-month period, you lose your permit.
5.Parking: You must provide a specific number of off-street parking spaces based on bedroom count.
6.Property Tax: Converting a primary home to an STR may trigger a change in property tax assessment.
7.City vs County: Rules for properties with a Bend address but located outside city limits follow Deschutes County rules, not these city rules.

Regulation Details

Eligibility(13)

•Bend allows STRs in the following property types: Single-family dwelling, Townhouse, Duplex, Condominium.
•Bend does NOT allow tenants to host STRs. Only property owners may operate short-term rentals.
•Bend limits hosts to a maximum of 1 STR properties per owner.
•Bend: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.

Requirements(20)

•Bend requires STR registration. The permit is called "Short-Term Rental Operating License". Apply through Community Development Department. Processing time: 4-6 weeks. Renewal is required.
•Bend STR warning: Parking: You must provide a specific number of off-street parking spaces based on bedroom count.

Application Process(10)

•Bend STR permit - Step 2: Land Use Review (Type II). Submit a Land Use application to ensure the site meets parking and development standards. Required documents: Site plan, Parking layout. Time: 30 days. Cost: 540.

Fees & Costs(1)

•Bend charges a registration fee of $285 (annual). Extended/additional fee: $540 (Initial application fee is higher than annual renewal ($285). Land Use Review fee is approx $540.).

Taxes(2)

•Bend charges a Transient Room Tax (TRT) of 10.4%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and VRBO remit most city taxes, but hosts must still file quarterly zero-returns if platforms handle all payments.
•Bend: Property Tax: Converting a primary home to an STR may trigger a change in property tax assessment.

Limits & Restrictions(9)

•Bend: City vs County: Rules for properties with a Bend address but located outside city limits follow Deschutes County rules, not these city rules.
•Bend, OR: Each person can only register ONE property for short-term rental. You cannot legally operate multiple STRs.

Safety Requirements(1)

•Bend requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Defensible space for fire safety, GFI outlets in kitchen/bath, Egress windows in all bedrooms.

Penalties(3)

•Bend enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: $500 fine. Second offense: $750 fine. Third offense: License revocation. Daily fine: $500 per day. Maximum fine: License revocation. Permit may be revoked for violations.
•Bend: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions(3)

•Bend: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
•Bend, OR: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
•Bend exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays.

Disclaimer

Regulatory information is AI-researched for educational purposes. Details may be outdated or incomplete. Always verify requirements directly with your city/county planning department before operating a short-term rental.

Other Oregon Markets

Bandon

Oregon

Strict

The City of Bandon strictly regulates short-term rentals through Chapter 5.44 of the Municipal Code, including a total city-wide cap of 100 permits. Permits are restricted to certain residential and commercial zones, prohibit the use of ADUs, and require a high initial application fee of $1,000.

Permit required

0.1% total tax

Salem

Oregon

Strict

Salem requires annual licensing for all short-term rentals, distinguishing between Accessory STRs (primary residence) and standard STRs (often requiring a conditional use permit).

Permit requiredNight limitsPrimary residence

Tillamook County

Oregon

Moderate

Short-term rentals in unincorporated Tillamook County are strictly regulated under Ordinance 84, requiring an annual permit and a fire/life safety inspection. The county enforces a one-STR-per-person ownership limit and a maximum occupancy cap based on bedroom count.

Permit required

0.1% total tax

Rockaway Beach

Oregon

Strict

Rockaway Beach strictly regulates short-term rentals through a licensing system capped at a specific number of units, currently resulting in a waiting list. Hosts must comply with a 10% Transient Room Tax and pass annual safety inspections.

Permit required

0.1% total tax

Bend

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Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

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Regulation Details

Eligibility(13)

Requirements(20)

Application Process(10)

Fees & Costs(1)

Taxes(2)

Limits & Restrictions(9)

Safety Requirements(1)

Penalties(3)

Exemptions(3)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Related Content

Other Oregon Markets

Bandon

Salem

Tillamook County

Rockaway Beach

Bend

Gold Standard Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

Frequently Asked Questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Bend?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Bend?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Bend?

4How much does an STR permit cost in Bend?

5Can renters host on Airbnb in Bend?

Related Content

Other Oregon Markets

Bandon

Salem

Tillamook County

Rockaway Beach