Bend, OR Short-Term Rentals: Short-Term Rental Permits (2026)

BC 7.16.030 makes it unlawful for any property owner within the Bend city limits to advertise, offer, operate, rent, or otherwise allow occupancy of a short-term rental without first obtaining a short-term rental operating license, and a separate license is required for each dwelling unit approved to operate as a short-term rental, even when more than one sits on the same lot. The chapter defines advertising broadly under a footnote to include any written, electronic, web-based, digital or mobile media, closing off the argument that only in-person bookings count.

Applicants must certify owner and representative contact information, submit the land use approval PZ number (unless exempt or a legal nonconforming use), disclose parking, occupancy limits and bedroom count, prove the dwelling was rented at least once in the prior 12 months, acknowledge the City's good neighbor guidelines, and list every online listing number and URL where the unit is advertised, per BC 7.16.040(A). Licenses run for one year from the date the application is due, are non-transferable, and terminate when the property sells, though a new owner gets 60 days to apply for a fresh license under BC 7.16.050.

Existing rentals must renew by September 1 each year under BC 7.16.060(B)(1)(a). Operating without a valid license, or continuing to advertise a unit after a license lapses or is revoked, is a Class A civil infraction under BC 7.16.100, with each day of unlicensed operation charged as a separate violation and penalties capped at $750.00 under the citywide schedule in BC 1.40.080. The City Manager administers licensing, and a denial, suspension or revocation can be appealed to the City Council within 12 calendar days under BC 7.16.110.