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Hood River County adopts Parkdale Community Plan, leaves short-term rentals largely allowed with limits
Summary
The Hood River County Board unanimously adopted the Parkdale Community Plan Oct. 21, a State Goal 14 compliance plan that rezones portions of Parkdale and restricts short-term rentals (STRs) on accessory dwelling units and duplexes to prioritize long-term housing and wastewater capacity. The Board voted 5–0 to accept the ordinance as presented.
Eric Walker, Hood River County Community Development Director, presented the draft Parkdale Community Plan at a public hearing Oct. 21, describing a two-year public engagement process that included two community meetings and a survey completed by more than 300 residents.
Walker said the plan was prepared to comply with Statewide Planning Goal 14, which requires counties to identify and adopt plans for their unincorporated communities. The draft rezones several parcels in Parkdale’s commercial corridor to permit commercial and light-industrial uses where appropriate, and it includes provisions tying new uses to available wastewater capacity. “For any new use, especially if it requires a larger water meter, the Parkdale Sanitary District would evaluate capacity,” Walker said.
Public commenter Dale Hill, an upper-valley resident, urged the Board to prohibit short-term rentals in Parkdale to preserve affordable and workforce housing and to conserve limited wastewater capacity. “STRs prevent those residences from being used as long-term rentals, which is the opposite of what people in the community have said they wanted,” Hill said.
In their deliberations, commissioners discussed wastewater capacity and how the plan handles STRs. The plan does not ban STRs countywide or in Parkdale; instead, it restricts STR permits for properties that include accessory dwelling units or duplexes so those housing types are reserved for longer-term occupancy. Commissioner Babitz confirmed there are currently two permitted and compliant STRs in unincorporated Parkdale and none listed as noncompliant. Commissioners noted that wastewater capacity is a first-come, first-served practical constraint and that the Parkdale Sanitary District would be responsible for monitoring and triggering upgrades if thresholds are reached.
Vice Chair Weathers moved to accept the ordinance as presented; Commissioner Muenzer seconded the motion. The Board voted 5–0 in favor, and Chair Euwer closed the hearing.
Why it matters: The plan puts Parkdale into compliance with state planning rules and attempts to balance economic uses with long-term housing needs by limiting certain STRs tied to ADUs and duplexes. The plan leaves the sanitary district and future permitting processes responsible for managing specific capacity and service decisions.
What’s next: The ordinance adopting the Parkdale Community Plan takes effect per county procedures; the planning staff will coordinate with the Parkdale Sanitary District on any future development proposals requiring additional sewer capacity.
