How Gresham Handles Short-Term Rentals: A Practical Guide

Gresham maintains 38 local ordinances across all categories, and 6 of those deal specifically with short-term rentals. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Gresham falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Occupancy Limits

Gresham's short-term rental program (Gresham Revised Code Article 9.56) caps overnight occupancy at two guests per bedroom plus two additional persons. Daytime occupancy may add up to six additional guests beyond the overnight count. The host must declare bedroom count on the city's STR registration application; STRs are limited to stays of 30 consecutive nights or fewer.

Key details: Code: GRC Article 9.56. Overnight Cap: 2 per bedroom + 2. Daytime Cap: Overnight + 6 guests. Stay Length: Up to 30 consecutive nights. Parking: 1 space per 2 bedrooms.

Hosting more guests overnight than two per bedroom plus two, exceeding daytime occupancy by more than six guests, hosting a prohibited event, or operating without registration violates GRC Article 9.56. Enforcement is handled by the city's Community Revitalization division and Code Compliance and may include citations, registration revocation, and an order to take the listing down. Multnomah County Animal Services and Gresham Code Compliance handle related nuisance complaints.

Insurance Requirements

Gresham requires every short-term rental operator to provide proof of liability insurance covering guests for at least $1 million as a condition of registration under Gresham Revised Code Article 9.56. The host submits the insurance carrier name, policy number, and expiration date on the STR application; both Hosted Homeshare ($175) and Vacation Home Rental ($375) registration types require this filing.

Key details: Code: GRC Article 9.56. Liability Minimum: $1,000,000 covering guests. Filing Items: Carrier, policy #, expiration. Hosted Fee: $175 / year. Vacation Home Fee: $375 / year.

Failure to provide proof of $1 million liability coverage prevents issuance or renewal of the STR registration certificate under Article 9.56. Operating an unregistered short-term rental, or letting required insurance lapse, is enforceable by the Community Revitalization division and Code Compliance and can result in citations, suspension, or revocation of the certificate and an order to remove the listing from Airbnb, Vrbo, or other platforms.

Taxes & Fees

Gresham requires STR operators to collect and remit the transient lodging tax on stays of fewer than 30 days. Multnomah County also levies a tourist development tax.

Key details: Tax Required: Transient lodging tax. Applies To: Stays under 30 days. County Tax: Multnomah County tourist tax also applies. Filing: Quarterly or monthly.

Failure to collect or remit lodging taxes results in penalties, interest, and potential enforcement action.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Gresham actively enforces its taxes & fees requirements.

Permit Requirements

Gresham requires short-term rental operators to comply with state and local regulations. Oregon law (ORS 90.100) limits cities from banning STRs outright. Hosts must collect and remit the transient lodging tax.

Key details: Registration: Required with city. Lodging Tax: Must collect and remit. Safety: Smoke/CO detectors required. State Law: Oregon limits local STR bans.

Unlicensed STR operations face code enforcement action. Failure to remit lodging taxes results in penalties and interest.

Noise Rules

Short-term rental guests in Gresham must comply with the city's noise control ordinance. The same 50/60 dBA limits and 10 PM–7 AM quiet hours apply to rental properties.

Key details: Quiet Hours: 10 PM – 7 AM. Night Limit: 50 dBA. Day Limit: 60 dBA. Host Duty: Inform guests of noise rules.

Noise violations result in citations. Repeated complaints may lead to enforcement action against the STR operator.

Parking Rules

STR guests in Gresham must comply with city street parking regulations. Hosts should provide adequate off-street parking information to guests.

Key details: Street Parking: City regulations apply. Host Duty: Provide parking info to guests. Enforcement: Citations and towing. Off-Street: Encouraged for STR guests.

Illegally parked vehicles are subject to citations and potential towing. Chronic parking issues may trigger code compliance action against the STR.

The Bottom Line

Gresham's short-term rentals 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 Gresham is broadly strict or permissive.

This guide is based on Gresham's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.