The Clackamas County Board of Commissioners has announced an extension of the Short-Term Rental pilot program through June 30, 2026, and is now actively soliciting public feedback before determining the program’s future. For those of us who live in the Mount Hood corridor and have experienced the effects of STRs firsthand, this represents a critical opportunity to shape policy.
Background: The STR Pilot Program
Prior to late 2023, unincorporated Clackamas County had no regulations governing short-term rentals. The pilot program, codified in Clackamas County Code Chapter 8.10, established registration requirements, occupancy limits, parking standards, noise provisions, and an enforcement framework designed to balance property rights with neighborhood livability.
After more than two years of implementation, the Board is pausing to assess whether the program is achieving its stated purpose: “to regulate short-term rentals in order to enhance public safety and livability within the unincorporated areas of Clackamas County.”
That assessment depends on hearing from you.
Two Ways to Provide Feedback
Community Survey
The County has opened a survey to capture residents’ experiences with the pilot program, including thoughts on current regulations, fee structures, and unresolved issues. The survey takes only a few minutes to complete and provides a formal record of community input.
Survey link: https://surveymonkey.com/r/ClackCoSTR2026 Deadline: Wednesday, February 11, 2026 at 5:00 p.m.
Public Town Halls
The County has scheduled two town hall sessions specifically focused on STR policy. We strongly encourage attendance at both events, consistent community presence reinforces the importance of these issues to decision-makers.
Virtual Town Hall Wednesday, February 18, 2026 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Via Zoom (registration required through the County’s website)
In-Person Town Hall Wednesday, April 1, 2026 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Mt. Hood Oregon Resort 68010 East Fairway Avenue, Welches, Oregon 97067
It’s worth noting that the County chose to hold the in-person session in Welches specifically because Mount Hood area residents have been the most vocal about STR impacts on their neighborhoods. That recognition is meaningful—and it’s an opportunity we should not let pass.
Why Your Participation Matters
The Board of Commissioners has committed to evaluating “the cost and efficacy of the program” before deciding whether to continue, amend, or discontinue STR regulations. Public input gathered through these channels will directly inform that decision.
If the current enforcement mechanisms aren’t working, the Commissioners need to hear specific examples. If the registration requirements are too lenient, or too burdensome, they need data points. If certain provisions of the code are being routinely violated without consequence, that pattern needs documentation.
Policy decisions made in the absence of robust community feedback tend to favor those who do show up. Let’s make sure the voices of full-time residents and neighbors are well represented.
Prepare Before You Participate
Before completing the survey or attending a town hall, we recommend reviewing the current STR regulations at www.clackamas.us/str. Familiarity with the existing framework, including registration requirements under Section 8.10.040, the standards and conditions in Section 8.10.050, and the enforcement provisions in Section 8.10.080, will help you provide more targeted and effective feedback.
Get Involved
The Mount Hood Livability Coalition will continue tracking this issue and providing updates as the County moves toward a decision. If you have questions, specific experiences you’d like to share, or want to coordinate attendance at either town hall, reach out to us.
This is our community. These are our neighborhoods. And this is our chance to help shape what comes next.