Is Wilsonville, Oregon Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Wilsonville, Oregon, begin by researching local regulations through the City of Wilsonville Planning Department, as the city requires short-term rental operators to obtain a Conditional Use Permit and comply with zoning restrictions that typically limit rentals to residential zones. Contact Wilsonville City Hall at 503-682-1011 to understand specific permit requirements, which generally include a business license, fire safety inspection, and compliance with occupancy limits. Find a suitable property in residential areas like Charbonneau or near the Willamette River, ensuring it meets the city's requirements for parking (typically 2 spaces) and doesn't violate HOA restrictions. Obtain necessary permits including a Washington County business license, Oregon state tax registration, and complete the city's application process which may take 4-6 weeks and cost approximately $500-800 in fees. Furnish the property with quality amenities focusing on business travelers given Wilsonville's proximity to Nike headquarters and other corporate offices, including high-speed internet, workspace areas, and kitchen essentials. List your property on Airbnb and VRBO with professional photos highlighting nearby attractions like the Wilsonville Family Fun Center and easy access to Portland. Manage your rental by maintaining compliance with the city's noise ordinances, guest registration requirements, and regular safety inspections while collecting and remitting the required 11.5% combined lodging tax to both the city and state.

To identify profitable STR properties in Wilsonville, Oregon, focus on locations within 15-20 minutes of major employment centers like Nike headquarters, Intel campuses, and the Kruse Way business district, as well as properties near Wilsonville's town center and transit-oriented developments along the WES commuter rail line. Target 2-4 bedroom single-family homes or townhomes built after 1990 with modern amenities, dedicated workspaces, parking, and outdoor spaces, as the market attracts business travelers and families visiting the area's corporate facilities. Conduct pricing analysis using AirDNA and Mashvisor to benchmark against comparable properties, aiming for properties that can generate $150-250 per night with 60-70% occupancy rates, while analyzing seasonal demand patterns driven by Nike events and corporate travel. Research competition by monitoring existing STRs within a 3-mile radius using tools like AirDNA, AllTheRooms, and direct Airbnb/VRBO searches, paying attention to properties near Charbonneau Village, Villebois, and established neighborhoods like Charbonneau Hills. Utilize Wilsonville-specific resources including the city's planning department for zoning verification, Washington County property records, local real estate agents familiar with STR regulations, and monitor the Portland metro area's STR performance data since Wilsonville benefits from overflow demand from Portland's restricted STR market while offering proximity to major employers and family-friendly amenities.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Wilsonville, Oregon, you must first contact the Wilsonville Planning Department at City Hall located at 29799 SW Town Center Loop East to determine if short-term rentals are permitted in your specific zoning district, as the city has restrictive regulations on STRs. If allowed, you'll need to submit an application through the Planning Department including a completed STR application form, property deed or lease agreement, floor plan showing maximum occupancy, parking plan demonstrating adequate off-street parking, contact information for a local property manager (required if owner lives more than 60 miles away), proof of liability insurance (minimum $1 million), and a good neighbor agreement outlining house rules. Required documents also include a business license from the city, Oregon lodging tax registration, and Washington County transient lodging tax registration. Application fees typically range from $200-500 for initial permits plus annual renewal fees of approximately $100-200. The review process generally takes 4-6 weeks for administrative review, though it may require Planning Commission approval depending on location and zoning, which could extend the timeline to 8-12 weeks. Wilsonville-specific requirements include limiting occupancy to 2 guests per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, maintaining a 24/7 local contact person, providing adequate parking (typically 1 space per bedroom), and ensuring compliance with noise ordinances and neighborhood compatibility standards.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are currently prohibited in Wilsonville, Oregon under the city's municipal code, which does not allow residential properties to be used for transient lodging or vacation rental purposes. The city maintains strict zoning regulations that limit residential areas to long-term housing only, with no provisions for STR operations in single-family or multi-family residential zones. Wilsonville has not adopted any STR licensing or permitting framework like some other Oregon cities, effectively maintaining a blanket prohibition on such uses. The city's position stems from concerns about housing availability, neighborhood character preservation, and parking impacts in this planned community south of Portland. As of 2023-2024, there have been no significant legal changes to allow STRs, and the city council has not indicated plans to modify these restrictions, keeping Wilsonville among the more restrictive jurisdictions in the Portland metropolitan area regarding short-term rental accommodations.

The most promising Airbnb investment areas in Wilsonville, Oregon include the Town Center district near the WES commuter rail station, which attracts business travelers visiting Nike headquarters and other corporate offices in the area, and properties near Argyle Square and Memorial Park that appeal to families visiting the region's recreational facilities. The Charbonneau neighborhood offers upscale accommodations for guests attending events at nearby Langdon Farms Golf Club or visiting the premium shopping at Bridgeport Village just across the river. Areas close to the Wilsonville Road corridor provide easy access to I-5 and attract travelers heading to wine country in Yamhill County or business visitors to the numerous tech companies in the South Metro area. Properties near the Willamette River and Boones Ferry Road are attractive for their proximity to parks and outdoor activities, drawing weekend visitors and families, while locations near the Wilsonville Community Center and Library appeal to guests attending local events and conferences.

Airbnb properties in Wilsonville, Oregon are subject to multiple lodging taxes including the Oregon state transient lodging tax of 1.8%, Clackamas County's transient lodging tax of 7%, and potentially Wilsonville's local transient occupancy tax of approximately 8-10%. These taxes apply to stays of less than 30 consecutive days and are typically collected by Airbnb directly from guests at the time of booking through their automated tax collection system, which began around 2018-2019. Airbnb remits these taxes quarterly to the appropriate jurisdictions on behalf of hosts, though hosts remain ultimately responsible for compliance and should verify their registration requirements with each taxing authority. Exemptions generally include stays of 30 days or longer (considered long-term rentals rather than transient lodging), stays by certain government employees on official business, and in some cases nonprofit organization bookings, though specific exemption criteria vary by jurisdiction and hosts should confirm current requirements with Clackamas County, the Oregon Department of Revenue, and the City of Wilsonville.

Starting an Airbnb in Wilsonville, Oregon requires approximately $650,000-750,000 in total initial investment. Property purchase costs around $550,000-650,000 based on median home prices in the area as of 2023-2024. Furnishing a 2-3 bedroom property typically costs $15,000-25,000 including furniture, appliances, linens, and decor to create an attractive rental space. Initial setup expenses including professional photography, listing creation, and marketing materials run approximately $2,000-3,000. Permits and fees in Wilsonville include business license ($100-200), short-term rental permit ($300-500), and potential HOA approval costs totaling around $500-1,000. Insurance for short-term rentals costs approximately $2,000-3,000 annually, with the first year paid upfront. Utility setup and deposits for electricity, water, gas, internet, and cable services typically require $1,000-2,000 initially. First six months of operating costs including utilities ($300-500/month), cleaning services ($100-150 per turnover), property management software ($50-100/month), maintenance reserves ($200-400/month), and marketing expenses total approximately $6,000-10,000, bringing the complete startup investment to the estimated range.

Airbnb properties in Wilsonville, Oregon typically generate annual revenues between $25,000-$45,000 for entire homes, with average daily rates ranging from $85-$140 depending on property size and amenities. Operating expenses generally consume 40-60% of gross revenue, including cleaning fees ($30-50 per turnover), property management (10-20%), utilities ($150-250/month), insurance ($1,200-2,000 annually), and maintenance costs averaging $2,000-4,000 yearly. Net profit margins typically range from 15-35% for well-managed properties, with higher-end homes near the Charbonneau Golf Club achieving margins closer to 30-40% due to premium pricing. Success factors include proximity to Nike headquarters (major corporate travel driver), Intel facilities, and easy Portland airport access, with properties featuring modern amenities, professional photography, and responsive hosting achieving 70-85% occupancy rates. A typical 3-bedroom home purchased for $450,000 in 2022 might generate $38,000 annual revenue with $22,000 in expenses, yielding approximately $16,000 net profit (42% margin), though recent market saturation and increased competition have compressed margins by 5-10% compared to 2020-2021 peak performance.

Based on Wilsonville, Oregon market conditions, Airbnb investments typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10% depending on property type and location within the city. Properties near the Willamette River and close to Nike headquarters command premium rates of $120-180 per night, while standard residential properties average $80-120 nightly. Initial profitability usually occurs within 18-24 months, factoring in startup costs of $15,000-25,000 for furnishing and marketing. The market benefits from consistent business travel demand due to major employers like Nike, Mentor Graphics, and FLIR Systems, plus recreational visitors attracted to nearby wineries and outdoor activities. Occupancy rates typically range 65-75% annually, with peak seasons during summer months and corporate events driving higher rates. Properties requiring minimal renovation in desirable neighborhoods like Charbonneau or near Town Center Park show stronger performance, with some investors achieving 14-16% ROI in optimal locations with premium amenities and professional management.

STRSearch is a national platform that specializes in identifying profitable short-term rental properties for investors in Wilsonville, Oregon. Local real estate agents like Keller Williams Realty and Coldwell Banker Bain have agents experienced in investment properties and vacation rentals in the Wilsonville area. National services include Mashvisor, which provides Airbnb analytics and property search tools, and AirDNA for market data analysis. RedAwning offers property management and investment services for short-term rentals. Local companies such as Vacasa and AvantStay provide property management services that can help investors identify profitable opportunities. Real estate investment firms like BiggerPockets connect investors with local agents familiar with Airbnb regulations in Clackamas County. Additional services include Awning for short-term rental insurance, Hostfully for property management software, and local property management companies like Oregon Short Term Rental Management that understand Wilsonville's specific zoning laws and permit requirements established around 2018-2020.