Possibly, but not if you took the SDC waiver. As of October 2026, Portland lets an ADU be used as an accessory short-term rental with a permit, as long as a resident lives on the site as a primary residence at least 270 days a year. A waived-SDC property cannot be used for short-term rental for 10 years.
What permit does Portland require?
An accessory short-term rental (ASTR) permit. Type A covers up to two bedrooms rented to overnight guests, with up to five guests. Type B covers three to five bedrooms and is a conditional use with a separate review.
Who has to live on the property?
The site must be someone's primary residence for at least nine months, or 270 days, a year. On a lot with an ADU, either the resident lives in the main house and rents the ADU, or lives in the ADU and rents up to two rooms in the house.
How does the SDC waiver change this?
If the city waived SDCs for your ADU, you signed a covenant not to use the property as a short-term rental for 10 years, including rooms in the main house. Breaking or revoking it costs 150% of current SDCs. See the SDC waiver guide.
What about the suburbs?
- Gresham: its development code prohibits short-term rental of an accessory dwelling.
- Elsewhere: Oregon law lets cities regulate vacation occupancies, including requiring owner occupancy, even though they cannot require it for ADUs in general. We check the local rules for your address.
What can I do instead?
Rent long-term, month-to-month or longer, which qualifies for the SDC waiver. Or house a family member, use the unit as an office or studio, or live in it yourself and rent the main house.
Should I plan for short-term rental?
It depends on how certain you are. Paying full SDCs keeps the short-term option open, but the fees are significant, and Type A permits require a resident on site most of the year. If you lean toward long-term rental or family use, the waiver usually comes out ahead. Decide before the permit is issued.
Related
Sources, as of October 2026: City of Portland, accessory short-term rental (Type A) permit page and ADU zoning summary; City of Portland, ADU SDC waiver page; City of Gresham Development Code Section 10.0110; ORS 197A.425(2).
Updated October 2026