VOTE NO VACANT HOME TAX

YOUR PRINCIPAL RESIDENCE IS ASTORIA FOR OVER 183 DAYS.

YOU’RE EXEMPT FROM THE VACANCY TAX!? MAYBE.

Every property owner is required to fill out a declaration every year declaring that you’ve been in your home for more tan 183 days. 

If the ‘judge’ decides they don’t believe your answer, the burden of proof is on you. 

If you’ve been absent from your principle residence for more than 183 days, caring for a sick family member, for example, you will have to get a doctor or nurse to sign a document stating your needed to be out of Astoria. Can you imagine having to ask a medical professional to do that?  And having to ask an already burdened relative to work that issue?

FAQ from the Astoria Housing Alliance: “It’s a good idea to keep basic records for your own reference.  You self-report on your annual Tax declaration.  If there’s ever been a question about your occupancy document like utility bills, rental agreements, or rental listings can help clarify the situation.”  

Forces homeowners to document where there’re living and when.  

FAQ from the Astoria Housing Alliance: “If your Astoria home is still your principal residence—where you intend to return and live for at least six months of the year—being away for work doesn’t make it vacant.

But if you’ve effectively moved elsewhere and the Astoria home sits empty more than 182 days, it would be considered vacant. Military service members and firefighters/emergency responders have special protection—their days away don’t count as vacant.” 

FAQ from the Astoria Housing Alliance specifically state the following exemptions:  “Medical Care, Military Service, Disaster Recovery, Owner Death, Financial Hardship, Firefighter or other emergency service worker services.”  No mention of employment exemptions for workers including Maritime, Medical, Airline, Trades among others. 

YOU have to provide documentation of why you’ve been away and when. And now it creates a burden of having to track that information. One of our community pillars is our Maritime trade – some of our workers spent large amounts of time from their home. Now they get to track and document days away from Astoria.

Do you want to live in a town that monitors where you live? Do you want your neighbors to be required to report annually where they live and when?

NOT AN ASTORIA RESIDENT?

Think this does not affect you? 1000 Friends of Oregon has a different idea. If you not an Astoria resident, you may believe you’re not impacted. Right! You’re not impacted now. They’ve got plans. 

In a February 27, 2026 article published by 1000 Friends of Oregon titled “Astoria residents launch bold new initiative to fund community housing.” The article discusses the Astoria Housing Initiative, including the proposed Empty Homes Tax. 

Near the end of the article, 1000 Friends of Oregon states:

“If Astoria’s initiative passes, it may set a precedent for other cities in Oregon whose housing markets are heavily impacted by tourism and second home ownership.”

The article continues by saying that many cities are looking for creative ways to fund housing and infrastructure and that the Astoria measure “could be a promising tool in cities’ toolkits.”