Multnomah County, OR Short-Term Rentals: Primary-Residence-Only Rule (2026)

Chapter 38 is the county's Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area overlay, a federal scenic-area regime layered on top of the base zoning in the Gorge districts. 7335 (which caps stays at 14 consecutive days and allows a small sign, with no owner-occupancy requirement). 7337, the owner may rent the dwelling for up to 90 room nights per year; parking must be screened from Key Viewing Areas; the rental use must remain incidental and subordinate to the property's primary use; the dwelling must be the owner's primary residence and the owner must be occupying it during the rental; and no commercial events are permitted at the accommodation.

The county allows the operation to employ up to three people who are not residents of the dwelling. Land use approval for an Overnight Accommodation is valid for no more than two years, and the landowner must reapply to demonstrate continued compliance, typically through the Expedited Use process unless a Review Use trigger applies (for example, structures 50 years old or older). Permits are not renewed if the property has a history of violations tied to the Overnight Accommodations approval, including a failure to file a timely renewal application. The provision was added by Ord. 1302 on December 16, 2021.