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Rental Property Rules

Eugene's Rental Property Rules: The Rules That Matter

By CityRuleLookup Editorial Team

Every city handles rental property rules a little differently. In Eugene, Oregon, there are 4 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Rental Registration

Every rental unit in Eugene not exempt under EC 8.410(2) must be registered with the city under EC 8.440, using a form the city manager sets, and landlords pay a per-unit fee that funds enforcement of the City Rental Housing Code and tenant support services.

Key details: Governing section: EC 8.440, Rental Housing – Registration and Fees. Who must register: All rental housing not excluded under EC 8.410(2). Fee use: Enforcement, tenant navigator, data collection, tenant services. Enforcement path: Notice and order under EC 8.430; appeal under EC 8.435. Max fine: $250 per violation under EC 8.995.

Failing to register a rental unit or pay the EC 8.440 fee is enforced the same way as other Rental Housing Code violations: the city manager investigates a valid complaint, issues a notice and order under EC 8.430, and gives the owner or agent a deadline to comply. Failure to comply after that deadline is punishable by an administrative civil penalty under EC 2.018 and/or a municipal court fine of up to $250 per violation under EC 8.995, with each day of noncompliance a separate violation.

This is one of the stricter rules in Eugene's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Repairs & Habitability

EC 8.425 sets minimum habitability standards for Eugene rental housing: structural components rated to code, heat sources that hold 68 degrees in every habitable room, weatherproofed roofs and walls, working locks on doors and windows, safe plumbing and electrical, and functioning landlord-supplied appliances.

Key details: Governing section: EC 8.425, Rental Housing – Standards and Protections. Minimum heat: 68°F in all habitable rooms, EC 8.425(3). Applies to: Nearly all rental housing except EC 8.410(2) exclusions. Essential-services response: Landlord gets 48 hours before city order. Max fine: $250 per violation under EC 8.995.

A tenant reports a habitability violation by written notice to the landlord; if uncorrected, a complaint to the city manager under EC 8.430 triggers an investigation, and for a lack of essential services the owner has only 48 hours to respond before the city can issue a notice and order with a 48-hour repair deadline. Ignoring a valid notice and order is punishable under EC 8.995 by an administrative civil penalty and/or a municipal court fine of up to $250 per violation.

Just Cause Eviction

Eugene requires landlords who end a tenancy without cause or for a state-law qualifying reason to give 90 days' written notice and pay two months' rent in relocation assistance under EC 8.425(17)(a), current through Ordinance 20739 (June 8, 2026). The rule layers onto Oregon's statewide just-cause framework in ORS 90.427; it doesn't replace it.

Key details: Citation: EC 8.425(17)(a). Notice required: 90 days before termination date. Relocation assistance: Two months' rent per dwelling unit. Payment deadline: At least 45 days before termination. Enforcement: City manager under EC 8.430.

The city manager enforces section 8.425 under EC 8.430; a tenant or their agent can file a written complaint after giving the landlord 10 days to respond to written notice of the alleged violation. A landlord found to have skipped the 90-day notice or the relocation payment faces a notice and order under EC 8.430(5), and ignoring that order can bring a fine of up to $250 per violation under EC 8.995, with each day of continued violation counted separately.

Rent Increase Notice

Eugene landlords who raise rent by the state's maximum annual percentage under ORS 90.324 must deliver a written 90-day notice under EC 8.425(17)(c) stating the new rent, the dollar and percentage increase, and the tenant's right to request two months' relocation assistance. Eugene Code is current through Ordinance 20739, passed June 8, 2026.

Key details: Citation: EC 8.425(17)(c). Notice required: 90 days before increase takes effect. Tenant request window: 30 days after receiving notice. Relocation assistance: Two months' rent if requested. Payment deadline: 45 days before increase effective date.

The city manager investigates rent-increase complaints under EC 8.430(2), which requires the landlord be given 48 hours to respond to a tenant's written notice before a case opens for EC 8.425(14)-(16) issues, or ten days for other subsections. A confirmed violation triggers a notice and order under EC 8.430(5); ignoring it exposes the landlord to a fine of up to $250 per violation under EC 8.995, with each day counted separately.

The Bottom Line

Eugene's rental property rules rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Eugene is broadly strict or permissive.

These rules come from Eugene's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.