Portland City Council Approves New Short-Term Rental Fees

The Portland City Council voted unanimously today in favor of a 2% fee on total revenues for short-term rentals in the city. The 2% fee not only includes AirBnB and HomeAway vacation rentals, but also hotels with fewer than 50 rooms. In addition, a majority of the City Council approved a $4 per night charge for short term rentals. Although Commissioners Eudaly and Fritz argued that the flat fee was too regressive, Mayor Wheeler believes the fee is more legally defensible than an alternative based on a percentage of revenue. Funds raised by the 2% fee will be directed to Travel Portland, while those generated by the $4 nightly fee will go Portland’s Housing Investment Fund. Read more.