Clatsop County Launches New Rules to Manage Short Term Rentals

Over the last few years Short Term Rentals (STR’s) have become a source of revenue and additional vacation rental availability. They have also caused divisiveness and negative impacts on neighborhoods in the Clatsop County area. 

In 2018 the county promulgated rules to manage the proliferation of STR’s in unincorporated areas. This also generates revenue for the county by identifying STR’s who operate without permits. As many in Surf Pines (SP) are aware, we delayed establishing STR rules for our Association when the County established their rules. All SP residents/property owners should be aware of the County’s STR rules and regulations. 

Clatsop county has hired a company, LodgingRevs, as a full-time enforcement intermediary to follow up on STR complaints and enforcement issues. A bilingual hotline will address nonemergency related complaints in unincorporated areas. LodgingRevs will document and provide county code compliance staff with the complaints for review and additional code compliance action, as necessary.

People with complaints are urged to call 503-325-1001. The operator will reach out to the STR’s point-of-contact to resolve the situation. An online complaint form can also be found on the county’s website.  For more information, contact code compliance specialist Rob Ledgerwood at 503-325-8611 as  announced in the 11-24-2020 Astorian. 

As discussed in a SP blog post on August 14, 2020, it is close neighbors of an STR who must file a complaint. And that complaint must be substantiated. 

Per county rules, if there have been 3 or more separate violations (occurring on 3 separate dates) related to the same STR within 1 year, the property owner’s STR permit will be revoked.

The Clatsop County Web Maps Property Information App lists the owners of all lots. While checking on a home that sold in SP, we noticed Clatsop County Property Information has added a section listing a copy of the STR permit of anyone approved to operate one. The county charges for this list. Anyone can check to see if a property is an STR at no cost. 

As you can see in the example below. A “short term rental” line shows up in the main property details screen as “Permit on File” if they have a valid permit. Clicking on the “Permit on File Link” provides information on permit provisions and who is managing the property. 

This allows any neighbor to verify if someone is permitted to operate a STR. If the property is not listed as a permitted STR, but is advertised as such, the county can follow up with warnings and possible fines. Remember, the county needs revenue so any nonpermitted properties will be followed up diligently. 

It is the decision of the SPA Board of Directors to follow county regulations in managing the STR’s in our community.