Vacation Rentals

“Vacation Rental,” sometimes referred to as Short-Term Rental is in the licensing category of “Travelers’ Accommodation.”  A Vacation Rental (VR) is a type of Travelers’ Accommodation.  Essentially ORS 446.310(12) defines a “Travelers’ Accommodation” as an establishment having rooms or sleeping facilities rented on a daily or weekly basis for a charge.

A license issued by Coos Health & Wellness is required to operate a Travelers’ Accommodation (as per Coos County Code SECTION 07.06.050 and ORS 446.320).

The following information outlines the application process with Coos Health & Wellness (CHW) to license a place as a Vacation Rental. Except as allowed for a small Business Water System (see 3.b below) submit all materials in a single package.

1. Zoning: Obtain written documentation from the government entity with zoning jurisdiction for your property that zoning is appropriate for the intended use. If purchasing a property believed to be zoned correctly, be advised to ask if the zoning transfers to new ownership.
   1. If the property is in an unincorporated part of Coos County contact Coos Community Development (541-396-7770) about obtaining documentation of appropriate zoning.
   2. If the property is in a city then contact the city about obtaining documentation of appropriate zoning.

2. Legal Sewer:
   1. Obtain documentation showing that the property’s residence is connected to municipal sewer; or
   2. If there is no public sewer connection for the residence obtain a current document titled “Authorization Notice” from the onsite program at Coos County Community Development (541-396-7770). Ideally, the Authorization Notice means the onsite system is legally installed and believed to be satisfactory in capacity to serve the proposed vacation rental.

3. Potable Water:
   1. Obtain documentation that the property’s residence has connection to a municipal public water system such as a letter from the municipal water company; or
   2. A drilled well may be an option for potable use, if the well and associated system components are approved as a small Business Water System (BWS). See the BWS details here. Application for use of a drilled well as part of a BWS to serve a vacation rental may be submitted separately from zoning and sewage documents.

Note: use of surface water from a source independent from a public water system is not an option for a licensed vacation rental. As per OAR 333-029-0075(3)(b), CHW will not license a facility drawing water for potable use from a pond, ditch, creek, lake, or other surface water source.

4. Application & Inspection Fee: Submit the following materials as a package and in the order listed:
   1. A check payable to CHW, made in the amount of the current inspection fee (call 541-266-6720 to determine the correct amount).
   2. A completed license application found here.
   3. Documentation of appropriate zoning.
   4. Documentation of legal sewer.
   5. Documentation of approved potable water.

5. Inspection: Receipt of material listed above by CHW will allow for inspection of the premises intended to be licensed as a vacation rental. The premises is expected to be in condition reflecting “guests ready.” Safe conditions and complete compliance with OAR 333-029-0000 will allow for a license to be issued at the conclusion of the inspection.

Penalties – Operating Without a License:

• ORS 446.347 provides for the licensing fee to be doubled when there is delinquency in obtaining a license.
• Coos County Code SECTION 07.06.050, (1) indicates Class A Violations, (2) indicates Class B Violations and (3) indicates Class C Violations related to Travelers’ Accommodations.
• ORS 446.990 provides for additional penalties.

The Vacation Rental application process described above is separate from requirements to license other facilities under the CHW licensing jurisdiction, such as: Other Travelers’ Accommodation, an RV facility, swimming pool, hot tub, Bed & Breakfast or any food service facility.

The Vacation Rental licensing application process requires an applicant to work with multiple agencies. Each agency establishes application processes and fees that may be independent of other agencies.