Multi-dwelling and campus institutional zones
In multi-dwelling and campus institutional zones where Retail Sales and Service uses are allowed, accessory short-term rentals may be regulated either as a Retail Sales and Service use or under a Type A ASTR permit or Type B conditional use. The decision is up to the applicant.
The zones in which these allowances apply are:
- Campus Institutional 1 (CI1)
- Campus Institutional 2 (CI2)
- Central Residential (RX)
- Residential Multi-Dwelling 1 (RM1)
- Residential Multi-Dwelling 2 (RM2)
- Residential Multi-Dwelling 3 (RM3)
- Residential Multi-Dwelling 4 (RM4)
Commercial/mixed-use, employment and industrial zones
In commercial/mixed-use, employment and industrial zones, accessory short-term rentals of one or two bedrooms, for up to five guests, may be regulated as either a Retail Sales and Service use or through a Type A permit. The decision is up to the applicant. Many of the employment and industrial zones have size limitations on Retail Sales and Service uses; those limits apply to transient lodging.
The zones in which these allowances apply are:
- Central Commercial (CX)
- Central Employment (EX)
- Commercial Employment (CE)
- Commercial Mixed Use 1 (CM1)
- Commercial Mixed Use 2 (CM2)
- Commercial Mixed Use 3 (CM3)
- Commercial Residential (CR)
- General Employment 1 (EG1)
- General Employment 2 (EG2)
- General Industrial 1 (IG1)
- General Industrial 2 (IG2)
- Heavy Industrial (IH)
As of Oct. 1, 2024, new Type B accessory short-term rentals are prohibited in the commercial/mixed-use, employment and industrial zones. Accessory short-term rentals in these zones where three or more bedrooms are rented to overnight guests are regulated as a Retail Sales and Service use.
Learn more about how to research the zoning of your property.
How to qualify as Retail Sales and Service use
To qualify as a Retail Sales and Service use, a change of occupancy or use may be required to verify compliance with commercial zoning development standards and building code occupancy requirements. Until a permit for a change of occupancy or use permit achieves final status, the existing use and occupancy remain in effect and a Type A ASTR permit or Type B conditional use is required to operate a short-term rental.
If you would like to operate a short-term rental and wish to pursue a change of occupancy or use, start by contacting Portland Permitting & Development at 503-823-7300 or schedule a 15-minute appointment with a city planner to obtain the options for your property’s zone. After confirming your zoning options, please schedule a 15-minute appointment with a Building Code Reviewer to learn more about the requirements for a change of occupancy to a Retail Sales and Service use.
If your property allows for commercial transient lodging, based on the zoning and building’s use or occupancy, it may be added to the City’s short-term rental registry. Properties listed on the short-term registry that are not subject to Type A or Type B ASTR requirements are identified as “Other” in the “Permit Type” column of the short-term rental registry. These properties are placed on the short-term registry by the Revenue Division. Questions about these listings should be directed to the Revenue Division at TLTax@portlandoregon.gov or 503-865-2857.