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Visiting and second-home owners in Sunriver
Most homes in Sunriver are not anyone's main residence. The Census counts homes "for seasonal, recreational or occasional use" separately from year-round homes. In the 2020-2024 estimates it counts 3,844 of them out of 4,827 housing units, which is 79.6 percent, or about four in five. Only 827 homes were occupied by a household that lives there year-round. This is a survey estimate for a small area, and the seasonal count has a margin of about 348 units either way.
Official sources to check before you travel
- Weather. The National Weather Service forecast office in Pendleton issues forecasts, watches and warnings for Central Oregon. The weather.gov point lookup for Sunriver returns Pendleton as its office.
- Roads. ODOT TripCheck shows current road conditions, cameras and incidents.
- Forest conditions. Deschutes National Forest posts fire danger, fire restrictions, alerts and closures.
- County information. Deschutes County posts county notices and meetings.
- Pathways and community rules. The Sunriver Owners Association maintains the community's paved pathways and posts owner news and notices.
Short-term rentals
Deschutes County's Transient Lodging Tax page says rentals of up to 30 consecutive days in unincorporated areas, meaning outside the city limits of Bend, Redmond, Sisters and La Pine, must be registered with the county. It says hosts must hold a Certificate of Authority that is renewed annually and collect an 8 percent tax from occupants. Sunriver is a Census-designated place, not a city, so owners and renters should confirm with Deschutes County and the Owners Association what applies to a specific property. We do not give legal advice.
For owners who live elsewhere
Check the weather, roads and any county or Owners Association notices before a trip, and keep your mailing address current with the county. If you would like news from Sunriver to reach you, use the be-listed and contact form.