More than one hundred local residents attended a May 18 Clackamas County
Planning Division public meeting and voiced, at times, sharply divided
opinions on allowing and regulating short-term rental property (STR) in
unincorporated Clackamas County. The meeting was hosted by the
Rhododendron Community Planning Organization at the Mt. Hood Oregon
Resort in Welches.

In addition to potentially regulating properties used as STRs, the county
planning commission is considering whether to allow them throughout
unincorporated Clackamas County or limit the usage to the Mount Hood resort
areas.

“It’s a problem going on in our community. We’re here to listen,” said
Clackamas County Commissioner Paul Savas.

At the meeting Clackamas County Planning Manager Jennifer Hughes stated
that current county zoning code does not allow or disallow STRs. She added
that the county was considering implementing regulations of STRs because of
an increase in properties being used in this manner, fueled by the growth of
internet-based rental platforms. Hughes said that while the STRs provide
additional income to property owners and bolster tourism in the region, there
are concerns about their impacts on neighbors.

Some of the impacts on surrounding neighbors cited by both the county and
community members in attendance included noise, litter, adherence to
garbage pick-up schedules with bins, on-street parking and rental occupants
disregarding posted speed limits in communities.

Community members also listed examples of serious safety and
environmental concerns, such as lack of access for emergency vehicles due to
clogged on-street parking and occupants disregarding burn bans and other
fire code issues.

Opinions expressed by local citizens in attendance impacted negatively by
STRs varied from calling for a complete ban of these rentals, to implementing
regulations with violations punished by a series of fines. Concerned STR
owners called for restraint from the county and urged that regulation not
punish responsible rental operators.

Many STR owners stated that their properties were only affordable due to the
rental income.

“The money that I make is what allows me to live here, to pay my property
taxes. Without the supplemental income I’d be on the rolls of the homeless up
here,” said Dale Peters, a retired Welches resident who has lived in the
community for twenty years.

Others in attendance pointed to the positive impact STRs have on the
community by fostering tourism and promoting local business.

“By shutting us down the community will be impacted,” said Alicia Fiorito,
operator of two vacation cabins in Rhododendron. She stated she constantly
promotes local restaurants and businesses through her rentals and only
utilizes local businesses for the maintenance and repair of her properties.

Hughes stated the county realizes that rental use has been around in the
region for decades and that there are neighborhoods and condominiums
specifically developed as resort/vacation rental properties. She noted there
would be no new tax from the initiative and instead suggested a fee paid by
STR operators to cover the cost of administering and sustaining the new
program.

Many in attendance called for the county to simply improve the enforcement
of existing ordinance regarding noise, fire code violations and illegal parking
instead of creating a broader regulatory framework.

“I don’t see these as specific issues (to STRs),” Welches resident Hilari Kolstad
said. She cited the counties lack of enforcement of similar noise and fire code
violations on her neighboring non-rental properties as being a problem she is
struggling to address. “Maybe it’s easier to have the short-term people gone
then deal with the long-term nuisance.”

The meeting was the second in a series of seven public meetings being held
across the county in May and June to present information about the issue and
seek public input.

More information regarding the proposed ban and/or regulation of STRs is
available online at www.clackamas.us/planning/str. Clackamas County
encourages public participation in an online survey available on the site. For
more information or to comment contact Senior County Planner Martha Fritzie
at 503-742-4529 or at mfritzie@clackamas.us.

County representatives will also discuss STRs at the Mt. Hood Area Chamber
of Commerce meeting at 8 a.m. Tuesday, June 4, at the Mt. Hood Village RV
Resort, 65000 Hwy. 26 in Welches.