“Vacation Rental” is synonymous with “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.
Steps to license a premises as a vacation rental:
1. Zoning: Are you zoned correctly? Obtain verification from the City or County that the premises is zoned correctly to operate as a VR. If outside the city limits, then a compliance determination is required from the County Planning Department. This step must be completed first, before moving onto the next steps.
2. Water Source: Does the water come from a public water system, private well, private spring or is it surface water?
If the residence you would like to license as a vacation rental uses surface water “STOP NOW” to consult because Coos Health & Wellness will not consider a license application except where there is no surface water influencing or mixed with water serving the premises. The only exception is water coming from a public system [See OAR 333-029-0075(3)(b)]. Water from a lake, river, dug well or unprotected spring are a few source examples that are forbidden for use or suspect as surface water influenced.
- Public Water System (PWS) – if the premises draws water from an approved PWS regulated under OAR 333-061, then you can move to the next step. (Go to: https://yourwater.oregon.gov/countyinventory.php for a public water system list.)
- Spring or Private Well (SPW) – if the premises draws water from SPW (where no surface water is drawn), there is a formal plan review process to complete to determine the safety of the water. Call 541-266-6720 to consult.
3. Septic: Is the premises on a Municipal Sewer or On-Site Septic System? If the premises uses an on-site system, be prepared to provide a copy of the DEQ approval paperwork along with an as-built drawing of the system.
4. Tourist Accommodation Application (TAA) and Fees: Once you have zoning approval from the City or County, you can submit the TOURIST ACCOMMODATION APPLICATION and Fee to CHW with a copy of any applicable document(s) noted above.
5. Inspection: Once CHW receives the forms and fees from step 5, an inspection will be scheduled to make sure the premises complies with OAR 333-029
Note: For operating without a license:
- The county can apply a penalty that essentially doubles the annual license fee (446.323) and can charge an operator criminally with a Class C violation (Coos County Code SECTION 06.07.050(3).
- The state can apply up to $1,000 civil penalty for operating without a license (ORS 446.347).