Austin vs Portland

Texas Legal but Limited | Oregon Legal but Limited

Disclaimer: General information only — not legal advice. Verify with your local government.

Austin, Texas
Status Legal but Limited
Permit Fee $450/year (Type 2); $50/year (Type 1 homestead)
Tax Rate 15% Hotel Occupancy Tax (9% city + 6% state)
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Annual
Platform Tax No
Max Fine $500–$2,000/violation; license revocation possible
Portland, Oregon
Status Legal but Limited
Permit Fee $65 (Type A single dwelling); $105 (Type A multi-dwelling)
Tax Rate 11.5% Transient Lodging Tax (6% city + 5.5% county) + 3% TID + 1.5% state
Day Limit No limit
Renewal Every 2 years
Platform Tax Yes
Max Fine Up to $26,201 across five violation types; permit revocation with 2-year ban

Both cities have comparable STR regulatory environments.

Permits & Licensing

Austin charges $450/year (Type 2); $50/year (Type 1 homestead) for STR licensing, while Portland charges $65 (Type A single dwelling); $105 (Type A multi-dwelling). Austin renewal is annual, and Portland renewal is every 2 years. Both cities share a similar regulatory stance, classified as "Legal but Limited."

Tax Obligations

In Austin, hosts pay 15% Hotel Occupancy Tax (9% city + 6% state). In Portland, hosts pay 11.5% Transient Lodging Tax (6% city + 5.5% county) + 3% TID + 1.5% state. A key difference: platforms like Airbnb automatically collect taxes in Portland, but hosts in Austin must collect and remit taxes themselves — a significant operational burden.

Day Limits & Restrictions

Neither city imposes an annual day limit on short-term rentals, giving hosts year-round flexibility.

Fines & Enforcement

Hosts operating without a permit in Austin face penalties including $500–$2,000/violation; license revocation possible. In Portland, violations can result in Up to $26,201 across five violation types; permit revocation with 2-year ban. Both cities actively enforce their STR regulations, so securing proper licensing before listing is essential in either market.

Austin Overview

Type 1 (owner-occupied) is allowed citywide. Type 2 (non-owner-occupied) licenses are no longer issued in residential areas — existing Type 2 licenses expire April 2027.

Contact: Austin Code Department — 3-1-1 or (512) 974-2000

Full Austin guide →

Portland Overview

Only accessory (hosted) short-term rentals allowed; resident must occupy the dwelling at least 270 days/year. Type A permits allow up to 2 bedrooms and 5 guests. Whole-home unhosted rentals are prohibited.

Contact: Portland Permitting & Development — (503) 823-2633

Full Portland guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it easier to Airbnb in Austin or Portland?
Austin is classified as "Legal but Limited" while Portland is "Legal but Limited." Austin's permit fee is $450/year (Type 2); $50/year (Type 1 homestead) compared to $65 (Type A single dwelling); $105 (Type A multi-dwelling) in Portland. Both cities have comparable regulatory frameworks.
Which city has higher STR taxes — Austin or Portland?
Austin charges 15% Hotel Occupancy Tax (9% city + 6% state), while Portland charges 11.5% Transient Lodging Tax (6% city + 5.5% county) + 3% TID + 1.5% state. Notably, Portland benefits from automatic platform tax collection, while hosts in Austin must handle taxes themselves.
Which city has stricter fines for illegal short-term rentals?
Austin: $500–$2,000/violation; license revocation possible. Portland: Up to $26,201 across five violation types; permit revocation with 2-year ban. Both cities actively enforce STR regulations, so proper licensing is essential.
Do Austin and Portland have day limits for Airbnb?
Austin has no annual day limit. Portland has no annual day limit.
Which city is better for first-time Airbnb hosts — Austin or Portland?
For new hosts, consider the total cost of entry: Austin charges $450/year (Type 2); $50/year (Type 1 homestead) for permits with 15% Hotel Occupancy Tax (9% city + 6% state) in taxes. Portland charges $65 (Type A single dwelling); $105 (Type A multi-dwelling) with 11.5% Transient Lodging Tax (6% city + 5.5% county) + 3% TID + 1.5% state. Automatic tax collection in Portland makes compliance easier for beginners.