Short-Term Rentals Take Center Stage at Mount Hood Town Hall

By Marie Kennedy, The Mountain Times

Approximately 95 residents attended an April 1 town hall at Mount Hood Oregon Resort with Clackamas County commissioners to discuss the county’s short-term rental (STR) pilot program in the Mount Hood corridor.

Commissioner Diana Helm, Commissioner Paul Savas, and Commission Chair Craig Roberts attended the meeting. 

The event gave residents a chance to speak directly with county leadership as officials continue evaluating the STR pilot program. The county worked with the Hoodland Community Planning Organization (HCPO) on the event.

Dylan Blaylock, Community Relations Specialist for Clackamas County, said the event was intended to gather public input on the STR pilot program.

“The goal of the event was to solicit feedback on the STR pilot program, and much feedback from attendees – via testimony, writing and subsequent emails – was given to commissioners as they move toward a decision regarding the future of the program,” he said.

The program was implemented in late 2023 in unincorporated areas including the Mount Hood corridor. The Board of County Commissioners later extended it through June 30, 2026, and is gathering input through surveys and town halls before deciding whether to amend, continue, or discontinue the regulations. County data indicates about 80 percent of all registered STRs in Clackamas County are located in the Mount Hood corridor.

Residents raised concerns about STR activity in the area, including noise from late-night gatherings, outdoor fire pit use during burn restrictions, and garbage left outside for extended periods, attracting bears and other wildlife. Others pointed to larger groups staying in rentals and vehicles associated with some properties, including parking along roadways.

Some called for additional regulations, including aligning occupancy limits with septic system capacity and requiring inspections before registration.

Enforcement was also raised. Residents asked how rules are monitored, whether additional resources are needed, and how to report concerns and receive follow-up. A few said they had stopped reporting issues due to concerns about response.

Emergency preparedness was another concern, with several residents saying visitors in STRs may not receive evacuation information or be familiar with local procedures.

Some STR owners also spoke, saying rentals contribute to the local economy. Several said increased taxes or fees could make continued operation difficult, particularly for smaller, family-run properties. Others said they value flexibility under the current system.

Data shared at the meeting indicated that of roughly 3,200 housing units in the Hoodland corridor, about 647 are registered as STRs – roughly 20 percent. Some attendees said they believe additional rentals operate without registration.

Maps prepared by the local CPO showed the distribution of registered STRs across Government Camp and Hoodland communities, including Brightwood, Welches, and Rhododendron.

Current county rules require STR operators in unincorporated areas to register with the county, include identification numbers in listings, and comply with safety, occupancy, and parking standards. Operators must also provide a 24/7 contact person.

Additional suggestions included requiring visible contact information at rental properties. Some supported the idea, while others raised concerns about privacy and security.

The county collects a six percent transient lodging tax on STRs, along with a 0.85 percent user fee. Questions were raised about how those funds are used, and some suggested increasing the user fee to fund enforcement.

Blaylock also said videos of the town hall and a previous online session are available on the county’s YouTube site, #ClackCoTV.

County commissioners are expected to consider public input from town halls and surveys before deciding the future of the STR program. “The commissioners were scheduled to discuss the pilot program at a Policy Session Tuesday, April 21,” said Blaylock.