Hi - I would love help on this too. I am hoping to buy my first Airbnb property which would be a whole house in Portland. I would not be living on the property, but I would stay there probably a total of 30-60 days (not consecutively) throughout the year.
I've read through the city's websites and just talked to someone on the phone in the property compliance department. That was helpful but still confusing.
Clearly, there are plenty of whole houses being rented out as short term rentals year round, as shown on a quick search of the Airbnb platform. This city person told me short term rentals flat out are not allowed, and if anyone who is doing that is found out, there are pretty big fines per person per day based on the number of people renting. That doesn't make sense either as it would only take them 2 seconds to see the many STR houses available.
They do allow "mid term rentals" - he called it long term - of someone staying at least 30 days. I asked if that meant consecutively or just throughout the year, and he didn't know. And for that you don't need a permit, but your rental would fall under regular landlord tenant laws.
So... I'm still quite confused. Can anyone help me understand this? I certainly don't want to do anything wrong, but there's got to be a way that hundreds of hosts are doing this.
Thanks!