Is Eugene, Oregon Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Eugene, Oregon, begin by researching local regulations through the City of Eugene's Planning Division, as Eugene requires short-term rental permits and limits rentals to owner-occupied properties or properties in specific zones. Contact the city at 541-682-5635 to understand current zoning restrictions and obtain the required Conditional Use Permit, which typically costs around $1,500-$3,000 and takes 60-90 days to process. Find a suitable property in residential zones that allow short-term rentals, ensuring it meets Eugene's safety requirements including smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and emergency exits. Register your business with Oregon's Secretary of State, obtain an Oregon business license, and secure appropriate insurance coverage that includes short-term rental liability. Furnish the property with quality furniture, linens, kitchen essentials, and amenities that appeal to visitors to the University of Oregon and outdoor enthusiasts visiting nearby attractions like Spencer Butte. Create compelling listings on Airbnb, VRBO, and other platforms with professional photos highlighting Eugene's proximity to campus, downtown, and recreational areas. Implement a management system for bookings, cleaning between guests, key exchange, and guest communication, or hire a local property management company like Vacasa or RedAwning that operates in the Eugene market. Ensure compliance with Oregon's transient lodging tax (typically 1-2% locally) and maintain detailed records for tax purposes while staying updated on Eugene's evolving short-term rental ordinances.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Eugene, Oregon, focus on locations within 2-3 miles of the University of Oregon campus, near Autzen Stadium, or in the Whiteaker and downtown areas where foot traffic and tourism are highest. Target 2-4 bedroom properties built after 1980 with parking, outdoor spaces, and modern amenities, as Eugene attracts families visiting students, football fans, and outdoor enthusiasts exploring the Cascade foothills. Analyze pricing by researching comparable Airbnb listings during peak seasons (football season September-November, graduation in June, and summer months) when rates can reach $150-300 per night versus $80-150 in off-peak periods. Study competition density using AirDNA or Mashvisor to identify neighborhoods with high demand but limited supply, particularly avoiding oversaturated areas near campus. Leverage local resources like the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce for event calendars, monitor University of Oregon's academic and athletic schedules for demand forecasting, and use STR-specific tools like Rabbu or PriceLabs for dynamic pricing while ensuring compliance with Eugene's short-term rental regulations which require permits and limit rentals in certain residential zones.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Eugene, Oregon, you must apply through the City of Eugene's Planning and Development Department by submitting a Short-Term Rental Registration application online via their permit portal or in person at 99 W 10th Avenue. Required documents include a completed application form, proof of property ownership or lease agreement with landlord consent, floor plan showing maximum occupancy, proof of liability insurance (minimum $1 million), contact information for a local responsible party available 24/7, and acknowledgment of compliance with fire safety requirements including smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. The registration fee is approximately $200-300 annually with additional inspection fees of around $150-200. Eugene requires STRs to be owner-occupied or have an owner living within 25 miles, limits occupancy to 2 guests per bedroom plus 2 additional guests (maximum 10 people), mandates parking for each bedroom, requires properties to be at least 660 feet apart in residential zones, and prohibits rentals for less than 2 consecutive nights. The approval timeline typically takes 4-6 weeks after submitting a complete application, though initial inspections may extend this to 8-10 weeks. Properties must also comply with neighborhood compatibility standards, noise ordinances, and undergo annual renewals with potential re-inspections.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are legal in Eugene, Oregon, but operate under strict regulations implemented in 2019 following community concerns about housing availability and neighborhood impacts. The city requires STR operators to obtain permits and comply with specific zoning restrictions, with Type 1 STRs (hosted rentals where the owner is present) allowed in most residential zones, while Type 2 STRs (unhosted whole-house rentals) are more limited and prohibited in certain residential areas including R-1 zones. Eugene caps the total number of Type 2 STR permits and requires operators to meet safety standards, obtain business licenses, collect transient occupancy taxes, and maintain good neighbor policies including noise restrictions and parking requirements. Recent changes in 2021-2022 included stricter enforcement mechanisms and updated permit renewal processes, with the city continuing to monitor the program's impact on housing stock and neighborhood livability while balancing tourism economic benefits.

The best Airbnb investment areas in Eugene, Oregon include the Whiteaker neighborhood, which attracts visitors with its vibrant arts scene, craft breweries like Ninkasi Brewing, and proximity to downtown events; the University area near the University of Oregon campus, which provides consistent demand from visiting families, prospective students, and football fans during Duck games at Autzen Stadium; downtown Eugene for business travelers and tourists attending events at the Hult Center for the Performing Arts and Matthew Knight Arena; the South Hills area offering scenic views and appeal to outdoor enthusiasts visiting for hiking and nature activities; and neighborhoods near Autzen Stadium which see high demand during University of Oregon football season and track and field events, including the annual NCAA Championships and Olympic Trials that Eugene hosts at Hayward Field, with properties in these areas commanding premium rates during major sporting events.

In Eugene, Oregon, Airbnb hosts must collect and remit a 9.5% transient lodging tax on all short-term rental stays under 30 days, which consists of the city's base transient lodging tax rate that applies to all temporary accommodations including hotels and vacation rentals. The tax is collected from guests at the time of booking and must be remitted to the City of Eugene monthly by the 15th of the following month using their online tax portal system, with hosts required to register for a transient lodging tax account before operating. Additionally, hosts must collect Oregon's statewide lodging tax of 1% and Lane County's transient room tax of 7%, bringing the total occupancy tax burden to approximately 17.5% on gross rental receipts. Airbnb automatically collects and remits these taxes for most properties through their platform since 2019, but hosts remain ultimately responsible for ensuring compliance and may need to file manually if their property isn't covered by Airbnb's automatic collection program. There are no exemptions for small operators or occasional rentals, and all short-term rentals regardless of size or frequency must collect these taxes, with penalties and interest applied to late payments or non-compliance.

Starting an Airbnb in Eugene, Oregon requires approximately $450,000-$550,000 in total initial investment. Property purchase costs average $425,000 based on Eugene's median home price as of 2023. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property typically costs $15,000-$25,000 including beds, linens, kitchen essentials, living room furniture, and decor. Initial setup expenses including professional photography, listing creation, and basic renovations run $3,000-$5,000. Permits and fees in Eugene include a business license ($75), transient lodging tax registration ($50), and potential neighborhood association fees totaling approximately $500-$1,000. Short-term rental insurance costs $1,200-$2,400 annually. Utility setup and deposits for electricity, water, gas, internet, and cable average $800-$1,200. First six months operating costs including utilities ($900/month), cleaning services ($100 per turnover), maintenance ($200/month), property management software ($50/month), and marketing expenses total approximately $8,000-$12,000, assuming 60-70% occupancy rates typical for Eugene's market.

Airbnb properties in Eugene, Oregon typically generate annual revenues of $15,000-$35,000 for single-family homes and $8,000-$18,000 for private rooms, with average daily rates ranging from $65-$120 depending on proximity to the University of Oregon campus and seasonal demand. Operating expenses generally consume 40-60% of gross revenue, including cleaning fees ($25-$40 per turnover), property management (10-20% of revenue), utilities ($150-$300 monthly), insurance ($800-$1,500 annually), and maintenance costs averaging $2,000-$4,000 yearly. Properties within walking distance of UO campus or downtown Eugene command premium rates during football season and graduation periods, with some hosts reporting 70-85% occupancy rates and net profit margins of 25-35%. Success factors include strategic location near campus or outdoor recreation areas, professional photography, responsive communication, and seasonal pricing adjustments that capitalize on university events and summer tourism to nearby Cascade Mountains attractions. A typical 3-bedroom home near campus purchased for $400,000 with a $150,000 down payment can generate $28,000 annual revenue with $16,000 in expenses, yielding approximately 7.5% cash-on-cash return after mortgage payments.

Airbnb investments in Eugene, Oregon typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10% based on current market conditions. Properties near the University of Oregon campus and downtown areas command premium rates of $80-150 per night, with occupancy rates averaging 65-75% annually due to consistent demand from university visitors, parents, and tourists exploring the Pacific Northwest. Initial investment costs for suitable properties range from $300,000-500,000, with investors typically reaching profitability within 18-24 months after accounting for furnishing, marketing, and operational expenses. The Eugene market benefits from year-round demand driven by University of Oregon events, outdoor recreation tourism, and business travelers, with peak seasons during football season (fall) and graduation periods (spring/summer) generating 20-30% higher nightly rates. Properties within 2-3 miles of campus or downtown Eugene consistently outperform suburban locations, with well-managed listings achieving gross rental yields of 10-14% annually before expenses, making Eugene a moderately attractive market for short-term rental investments compared to larger Oregon cities like Portland.

STRSearch is a national platform that helps investors identify profitable short-term rental properties across markets including Eugene, Oregon. In Eugene specifically, local real estate agents like those at Keller Williams Realty Eugene & Springfield, Coldwell Banker Bain, and RE/MAX Integrity have experience with investment properties suitable for Airbnb conversions. National services include Mashvisor, which provides rental property analytics, AirDNA for market data and revenue projections, and Awning for turnkey Airbnb investment properties. Local property management companies such as Vacasa, RedAwning, and Eugene-based boutique firms like Emerald City Property Management offer services to help investors manage their short-term rentals. Real estate investment groups in the Eugene area, including the Lane County Real Estate Investors Association, provide networking and deal-finding opportunities. Additional national platforms like Roofstock, BiggerPockets Marketplace, and LoopNet can help locate investment properties in the Eugene market, while local mortgage brokers and lenders familiar with investment property financing in Oregon include OnPoint Community Credit Union and First Tech Federal Credit Union.