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A. The applicant has the burden of proof to demonstrate compliance with each applicable criterion for approval or renewal of the operating license. The approval criteria also operate as continuing code compliance obligations of the owner. Staff may verify evidence submitted and the applicant shall cooperate fully in any investigation.

B. To receive approval, an applicant must demonstrate that all approval criteria listed below has been satisfied:

1. Zoning. The property is in compliance with requirements of HRMC Title 17 (Zoning).

2. Contact Information. The applicant or authorized agent has provided information sufficient to verify a qualified person will be available to be contacted about use of the short-term rental during and after business hours. The licensee or representative shall be available to be contacted by telephone to ensure a response to the short-term rental address at all hours (24 hours a day, seven days a week) while the dwelling unit is occupied for rent. Response must be within 30 minutes. The designated representative may be changed from time to time throughout the term of the license. To do so, the license information shall be revised with the City at least 14 days prior to the date the change takes effect, except when the failure to do so is beyond the licensee’s control. In an emergency or absence, contact forwarding information to a qualified person may be provided for the licensee or representative. In the case of Hosted Homeshares, the contact person shall be the permanent resident who will be hosting the transient accommodations.

3. Notice to Neighbors. For Vacation Home Rentals, the licensee or authorized agent shall either: (a) provide an annual mailing or otherwise distribute by hand, a flier to neighbors within a 250-foot radius of the short-term rental property address containing the operating license number and owner or representative contact information, or (b) post a small placard or sign as specified by the City on the property in proximity to the adjacent street advising neighbors and tenants of the same information where it can be seen from the public right-of-way.

The purpose of this notice is so that adjacent property owners and residents can contact a responsible person to report and request resolution of problems associated with the operation of the short-term rental. If the permanent contact information changes during the license period, the new information must be mailed or distributed again, or changed on the placard or sign.

4. Limit of One STR License per Owner and One License per Dwelling Unit. No owner, as defined herein, shall obtain or hold more than one City-issued short-term rental operating license at the same time. Each separate dwelling unit requires a separate operating license, and each operating license shall authorize the short-term rental use of only a single dwelling unit. This 2022 amendment to this chapter shall have prospective effect only and shall not affect owners or operating licenses existing on the date of its enactment.

C. Health and Safety.

1. Responsibility. It is the licensee’s responsibility to assure that the short-term rental is and remains in substantial compliance with all applicable codes regarding fire, building and safety, health and safety, and other relevant laws.

2. Fire and Emergency Safety. A completed checklist for fire safety (fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, etc.) shall be required with each annual operating license application and renewal. The licensee shall be responsible for completing the fire safety checklist and ensuring continued compliance. Verification by the City shall be required prior to issuance of a license and may be required for each renewal at the City Manager’s discretion.

3. Solid Waste Collection – minimum service requirements. During all months that the dwelling is available for transient accommodation, Vacation Home Rentals shall have weekly solid waste collection service with assisted pick-up provided by the solid waste provider, if available. For the purposes of this section, assisted pick-up means the collection driver retrieves the cart from the driveway, rolls it out for service, and then places it back in its original location.

D. Mandatory Postings. The short-term rental license issued by the City (or a copy thereof) shall be displayed in a prominent location within the interior of the dwelling adjacent to the front door. The license will contain the following information:

1. A number or other identifying mark unique to the short-term rental operating license which indicates the license is issued by the City of Hood River, with the date of expiration;

2. The name of the licensee or representative and a telephone number where the licensee or representative may be contacted;

3. The number of approved parking spaces;

4. The maximum occupancy permitted for the short-term rental;

5. Any required information and conditions specific to the operating license;

6. Day of week of trash pickup;

7. The property address; and

8. The City of Hood River official logo.

E. The licensee shall be in compliance with the Hotel Tax Code pursuant to HRMC Chapter 5.09, and subject to the Tax Administrator’s authority under that chapter.

F. Parking.

1. One (1) hard surfaced off-street parking space shall be provided for every two bedrooms. In calculating the number of spaces required, the total shall be rounded up. Parking areas shall not be located in the front yard. If the garage is to be utilized to meet the parking requirement, a photo of the interior of the garage shall be submitted to show the garage is available for parking. Required parking may be permitted on another lot within 250 feet of the subject property with a shared parking agreement or proof of legal parking access.

2. A parking diagram of the approved parking spaces shall be provided to tenants and be available in a prominent location within the short-term rental dwelling. (Ord. 2070 §2, 2022)