Bend neighbors getting vacation rental notices

New city of Bend regulations say anyone who is maintaining a vacation or short-term rental must notify neighbors within a 250-foot radius. Many people are receiving those notifications now, and at least some are puzzled about that they can do.

Property managers can hand-deliver or mail notices, or post a large sign on the rental’s lawn to let neighbors know.

People living near one such rental at Northwest 16th Street and Hartford Avenue received one of those letters last week.

“Well, I wondered if they were asking my opinion. But actually, they’re not,” Rita Weicke said Tuesday

It is not a letter for consideration. It’s a notice that the short-term rental was approved and is either on its way or is already there.

Some worry of the changes they will bring to quiet, close-knit neighborhoods.

“There are kids playing in the street. We know each other pretty well. This feels intrusive,” Weicke said.

The intrusive nature of vacation rentals was part of the reason for the new codes. Many Bendites were up in arms after a large increase in the short-term housing options started popping up in their neighborhoods. Complaints range from noise and parking to more serious issues like vandalism.

The notification system is one of many new rules. Property managers must include a 24/7 emergency contact so that if there is a problem, neighbors have someone to talk to.

If residents lose the original notification, there is a way to look it up on the city of Bend’s website. The city says they hope neighbors will use this resource first. If a solution cannot be reached, residents are able to formally complain to the city That complaint will be investigated by the appropriate city agency.

Many in the west Bend neighborhood on Hartford say it’s not the addition of the short-term rental that is the problem. It’s what they could be losing in the process.

“It’s like a black hole in our neighborhood. There’s a neighbor that isn’t connected,” Weicke said.

You can find information on short-term rentals and the city’s “Good Neighbor Guidelines” on the city Website at http://bendoregon.gov/index.aspx?page=1281