County staff outline options to regulate short‑term rentals, warn of tradeoffs

Jefferson County Community Development staff presented a range of policy options to regulate short‑term rentals, including a self‑attestation application, minimum separation distances to prevent clustering, a countywide cap on permitted units and possible day‑limit restrictions.

Derek Payne (Community Development) framed the agenda item as a discussion and said staff would map existing listings and consider internal wait lists or density maps: "I believe we're around 50 right now," he said of actively marketed short‑term listings in the county. Payne proposed a self‑attestation form (similar to the accessory dwelling unit process), a minimum separation distance (he suggested 500 feet as a starting point, noting 1,000 feet is used in some counties), and a cap that could be set in the 80–100 range.

Payne summarized how peer counties handle the issue: Deschutes uses separation distances and registration; Clackamas uses a go/no‑go checklist with finance handling registration; Lincoln employed geographic caps and a phase‑out of nontransferable licenses; and Tillamook treats short‑term rentals as a revocable business license with neighbor notice and a required 24/7 contact person.

Commissioners raised the central tension between preserving housing stock and unlocking revenue or supplemental income for local residents. One commissioner noted the potential for outside investors to buy properties and remove long‑term rental supply from the market; others highlighted the county’s existing single allowed area (Camp Sherman) and the potential to target rules by sub‑area. Staff recommended further work and return of more concrete options and comparative analysis before any ordinance or licensing structure is drafted.