IMPORTANT NOTICE: The standards for Short-Term Rentals were recently amended by the City Council with the adoption of Ordinance No. 540. The approved changes are:
- The STR concentration limit has expanded from 250 feet to 500 feet.
- The 500-ft STR concentration limit applies to dwelling units within a condominium.
- The 500-ft STR concentration limit applies to dwelling units in the Downtown Commercial District that are part of a residential-only development. The concentration limit is not applicable to dwelling units in commercial or mixed-use buildings.
- STRs are prohibited in Urban Growth Boundary expansion/annexation areas.
Learn more about the approved changes changes and the review process by clicking here.
WHAT IS A SHORT-TERM RENTAL?
A Short-Term Rental is the use of an entire dwelling unit (e.g. single-family dwelling, condo, apartment), or portion thereof, by any person or group of persons entitled to occupy the dwelling unit for rent for a period of less than thirty (30) consecutive days. “Short-term rental(s)” does not mean bed and breakfast inns, hotels, and/or motels. Short-Term Rentals are permitted subject to the land use standards in Sisters Development Code Section 2.15.2700 and the operating license standards in Sisters Municipal Code Chapter 5.50.
SHORT TERM RENTAL ELIGIBILITY
Eligibility is dependent on several factors with the most prominent being the zoning of the property and proximity to existing licensed Short-Term Rentals. Please contact Carol Jenkins via email (cjenkins [at] ci.sisters.or.us (cjenkins[at]ci[dot]sisters[dot]or[dot]us)) or phone (541-323-5207) to confirm a property is eligible.
HOW TO GET A NEW SHORT-TERM RENTAL PERMIT & LICENSE
- Confirm that your property is eligible for an STR designation. Use the map provided above, or contact the Community Development Department (541-323-5207).
- Fill out an application form for a Short-Term Rental Permit.
- Submit the application form and pay the application fee ($500) to Carol Jenkins, Planning Technician, at City Hall or via email (cjenkins [at] ci.sisters.or.us (cjenkins[at]ci[dot]sisters[dot]or[dot]us))
- Staff will review your application to confirm its eligibility and issue a permit accordingly.
- Once you get an approved permit, you will need to secure a Business License and Short Term Rental Operator License within the next 60 days.
HOW TO MAINTAIN YOUR PERMIT & LICENSE
After you receive an approved STR permit, you will need to take the next steps to secure and maintain your licensing. If you do not complete these next steps, the short-term rental permit will become void due to abandonment of use. This will result in losing the STR designation.
- Within 60 days of receiving a new STR permit approval, secure a Business License and Short Term Rental Operator License
- By June 30th of every year, pay the renewal fees for the licenses.
- Remit Transient Room Tax as proof of use.
HOW TO TRANSFER OWNERSHIP OF AN EXISTING SHORT-TERM RENTAL
You will need to know when the existing short-term rental or “vacation rental” was established. If you don’t know when it was established, please contact Carol Jenkins via email (cjenkins [at] ci.sisters.or.us (cjenkins[at]ci[dot]sisters[dot]or[dot]us)) or phone (541-323-5207) to confirm.
- If the existing STR was permitted after December 28, 2018, it cannot be transferred to a new owner. The new owner will need to apply for an STR permit in their name.
- If the existing STR or “vacation rental” was permitted or lawfully established prior to December 28, 2018, it can be transferable to new property owners only if the new property owner obtains the Business License and STR Operator License within 60 days of the date of the transfer of property ownership.