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How to Get a Bend, Oregon Short-Term Rental License

How to get a short term rental license in Bend
How to Get a Bend, Oregon Short-Term Rental License
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A clear, step-by-step guide for owners

Before we get into the details, one important note.

This guide is intentionally detailed, and at first glance it may feel like a lot. In practice, the process itself is quite straightforward. For most owners, it involves confirming eligibility, applying for a land use permit, and then completing a licensing application.

We’ve made this guide comprehensive on purpose. It’s designed to:

  • Preempt the most common questions we’re asked by owners
  • Clarify rules that are often misunderstood in Bend
  • Help you avoid delays, denials, or costly missteps

Don’t let the length overwhelm you. The steps themselves are administrative and manageable once you understand the order.

Important disclaimer

This article is general informational guidance only. It is not legal or tax advice, and it does not recommend one ownership or tax structure over another.

Before making decisions about ownership structure, taxes, or liability, you should speak with:

  • A qualified CPA or tax advisor
  • A qualified attorney

This is especially important if the property has multiple owners or is part of a broader investment strategy.

Step 1: Understand who is legally responsible (even if you hire a management company)

Even if you plan to hire a vacation rental management company or Airbnb management company, the property owner is still responsible for licensing and compliance in Bend.

In Bend:

  • Short-term rental permits and licenses are issued to the property and operator, not to the management company
  • Hiring a manager does not transfer responsibility
  • The City looks to the owner if there is a compliance issue

A professional management company can help guide the process and manage ongoing requirements, but the owner must still ensure the property is properly permitted and licensed.

Step 2: Confirm the property is eligible (this is the most important step)

Bend does not allow short-term rentals everywhere, and this is where many owners run into trouble.

Most full-time, whole-house short-term rentals in Bend are subject to a 500-foot separation requirement from other similar rentals. This rule is enforced through the City’s land use permitting process.

Before you apply for anything, you should:

The City is explicit that:

  • Some types of rentals are exempt or treated differently (for example, very limited whole-home rentals, owner-occupied room rentals, or specific exempt developments)
  • HOA rules and CC&Rs can still prohibit short-term rentals even if the City allows them

If the property does not meet spacing or zoning requirements, the City can deny the application regardless of how far along you are.

Step 3: Decide how you will operate (Individual vs LLC)

Before applying for permits, decide who is operating the short-term rental.

You generally have two options:

An LLC is not required to operate a short-term rental in Bend. Some owners choose one for liability, tax, or partnership reasons.

This decision should be made with a CPA and attorney. The City’s process is the same either way, but the business name and ownership details must be consistent across applications.

Step 4: Apply for the Land Use Permit (required for most STRs)

In Bend, the land use permit is the gatekeeper step.

The City requires a land use permit for most short-term rentals, with only a small number of explicitly exempt properties.

There are two common categories:

  • Type I permits (lower-impact scenarios)
  • Type II permits (more regulated, often tied to spacing rules)

The City publishes:

  • Permit fees (Type II permits are significantly more expensive)
  • A stated goal of processing applications within 30 days after completeness

You will apply through the City’s Online Permit Center, selecting Short-Term Rental as the project type. https://cityview.ci.bend.or.us/Portal/

If the land use permit is denied, you cannot operate a short-term rental at that property.

Step 5: Prepare and complete the neighbor notice requirement

Bend requires active neighbor notification.

You must:

  • Designate a 24/7 local emergency contact
  • Notify all property owners within 250 feet

Acceptable methods include:

  • Mailed notice
  • Hand-delivered notice
  • Posted sign on the property

You must submit proof with your application, such as:

  • A copy of the letter and mailing evidence
  • Or photos of the posted sign

The City is specific about:

  • Required content
  • Sign size and visibility
  • Documentation standards

This step is often where applications are delayed, so it’s worth doing carefully.

Step 6: Apply for the Short-Term Rental Operating License

Once the land use permit is approved, you must apply for the Short-Term Rental Operating License. https://cityview.ci.bend.or.us/Portal/

Important timing rule:

  • You generally have 60 days after land use approval to apply
  • If you miss this window, the land use permit can be voided

Key points:

  • The operating license is required for all STRs
  • The City charges an initial application fee plus a Transportation Fee Supplement
  • Licenses must be renewed annually

The City notes there is no “save for later” feature, so you should gather all required materials before starting.

Step 7: Set up and understand Bend’s Room Tax requirements

Bend imposes a local room tax on short-term rentals.

Key things owners need to know:

  • The tax rate is 10.4%
  • Returns are generally due monthly
  • Returns must be filed even if you had zero bookings

Even if a booking platform collects and remits some taxes:

  • You are still responsible for filing
  • The City uses filings to reconcile compliance and license renewals

Room tax registration and filings are handled through the City’s online portal. https://www.bendoregon.gov/government/departments/finance/room-tax

This is one of the most common areas where owners fall out of compliance unintentionally.

Step 8: Don’t forget Oregon’s State Lodging Tax

Separate from Bend’s local tax, Oregon imposes a state lodging tax.

This is administered by the Oregon Department of Revenue and is typically filed on a different schedule. https://www.oregon.gov/dor/programs/businesses/Pages/lodging-taxes.aspx

Owners can be compliant with the City and still be missing state-level obligations if they’re not careful.

Step 9: Ongoing compliance and renewals

Operating a short-term rental in Bend is not “set it and forget it.”

Owners are responsible for:

  • Annual operating license renewals
  • Keeping room tax filings current
  • Maintaining a 24/7 emergency contact
  • Ensuring required postings and disclosures remain in place

The City may delay or deny renewals if taxes or filings are not current.

Common mistakes we see

  • Assuming all properties in Bend are eligible
  • Buying before checking the 500-foot spacing rule
  • Missing the 60-day license application window
  • Treating room tax as “handled by Airbnb”
  • Assuming a management company holds the license

Most of these are avoidable with upfront planning.

How Recreation Stays can help

We manage short-term rentals in regulation-heavy markets like Bend.

While the licensing process itself must be completed by the owner, we help make operating the property simpler and lower-risk once it’s live, especially around:

  • Room and lodging tax handling
    We manage setup, tracking, and remittance so owners don’t have to reconcile filings across platforms or worry about missed deadlines.
  • Compliance support
    We help ensure renewals, postings, and operating requirements stay current as rules evolve.
  • Day-to-day operations
    Pricing, guest communication, cleaning coordination, and issue resolution are handled with hotel-grade systems.

Bend’s rules reward operators who are organized and proactive. Our role is to support that structure so owners don’t need to become experts themselves.

Final thought

Bend allows short-term rentals, but only within a clearly defined framework. Owners who understand the rules before buying or converting a property tend to have far fewer surprises.

If you’re evaluating a Bend property or already own one and want a more professional operating setup, it’s worth understanding the process upfront.

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