What are the key requirements for Kirkland hosts?

You must live in the home for 245 days a year—investment properties where the owner never lives are prohibited.

What should Kirkland hosts know about if you are not present?

If you are not present during stays (unhosted), you cannot rent the unit for more than 120 days per year.

What are the key requirements for Kirkland hosts?

A local property manager must live within 15 miles and be available 24/7 when the host is away.

What are the key requirements for Kirkland hosts?

Multifamily units (condos) are subject to city licensing but also must clear specific HOA/building management restrictions.

Kirkland, WA Short-Term Rental Regulations & Permit Guide

Baseline Verification

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Verified: Feb 10, 2026

Summary

Kirkland requires short-term rental hosts of detached dwellings to occupy the property as their primary residence for at least 245 days per year and limits unhosted rentals to 120 nights annually.

Restriction Level

⛔

Strict

Score: 89 (lenient)

Why this classification:

•Primary residence required
•Owner-occupied required
•Moderate night cap: 120 nights/year
•Standard permit fee: $230
•Limited to 2 properties per owner
•Permit required
•Reporting required
•Tenants can host

In Plain English

To host a short-term rental in Kirkland, you must live in the property as your primary residence for at least 8 months of the year. You are required to obtain a city business license, pay an annual fee (typically $230), and designate a local property manager who lives within 15 miles of the home. Unhosted rentals are capped at 120 nights per year, though there is no cap if you are present during the stay.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Yes

Night Limit

120/year

Primary Residence

Required

Total Tax Rate

0.1%

Permit Fee

$230

Processing Time

2-4 weeks

4 Things Hosts Often Miss

1.You must live in the home for 245 days a year—investment properties where the owner never lives are prohibited.
2.If you are not present during stays (unhosted), you cannot rent the unit for more than 120 days per year.
3.A local property manager must live within 15 miles and be available 24/7 when the host is away.
4.Multifamily units (condos) are subject to city licensing but also must clear specific HOA/building management restrictions.

Regulation Details

Eligibility(9)

•Kirkland: If you are not present during stays (unhosted), you cannot rent the unit for more than 120 days per year.
•Kirkland prohibits STRs in the following property types: Multi-family (Condos/Apartments are governed by individual complex rules, but still require a license).
•Kirkland: You must live in the home for 245 days a year—investment properties where the owner never lives are prohibited.

Requirements(12)

•Kirkland requires liability insurance for STR hosts. Minimum coverage: $1,000,000. Per RCW 64.37.050, operators must maintain $1M liability insurance or ensure the platform provides such coverage.
•Kirkland: Multifamily units (condos) are subject to city licensing but also must clear specific HOA/building management restrictions.

Application Process(7)

•How to set up an STR in Kirkland: To host a short-term rental in Kirkland, you must live in the property as your primary residence for at least 8 months of the year. You are required to obtain a city business license, pay an annual fee (typically $230), and designate a local property manager who lives within 15 miles of the home. Unhosted rentals are capped at 120 nights per year, though there is no cap if you are present during the stay.

Fees & Costs(1)

•Kirkland charges a registration fee of $230 (annual). Extended/additional fee: $50 (A reduced fee of $50 is available if gross annual receipts are less than $20,000).

Taxes(2)

•Kirkland charges a King County Convention and Trade Center Tax of 0.028%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and VRBO remit state and local sales/lodging taxes directly.
•Washington has a state sales tax of 0.065% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & Restrictions(4)

•Kirkland limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.
•Kirkland enforces quiet hours: 10pm-7am.
•Kirkland limits STRs to 120 nights per year. This applies to unhosted rentals.
•Kirkland occupancy calculation: Based on fire code and must be posted in the unit. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.

Safety Requirements(1)

•Kirkland requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Floor plan indicating fire exits and escape routes must be posted, Street address of the unit must be posted conspicuously, Property manager available 24/7.

Penalties(2)

•Kirkland enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Warning letter. Second offense: Civil infraction / fine. Third offense: Revocation of business license. Permit may be revoked for violations.
•Kirkland: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions(3)

•Kirkland: If you are present during the guest's stay (hosted rental), night caps may not apply to you.
•Kirkland exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays, Bed and breakfasts, Hotels and motels.
•Kirkland: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).

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Disclaimer

Regulatory information is AI-researched for educational purposes. Details may be outdated or incomplete. Always verify requirements directly with your city/county planning department before operating a short-term rental.

Other Washington Markets

Lake Chelan

Washington

Moderate

Short-term rentals are strictly regulated in the City of Lake Chelan under Chapter 5.56 of the Municipal Code. Hosts must obtain an annual permit, adhere to a occupancy limit of 2 per bedroom plus 2, and maintain a local representative available 24/7.

Permit required

0.1% total tax

Ocean Shores

Washington

Moderate

Ocean Shores requires all short-term rentals to obtain a specific STR license (Chapter 5.44) and a general city business license. Hosts are subject to a local 5% STR tax in addition to Washington state sales and lodging taxes.

Permit required

0.1% total tax

Anacortes

Washington

Strict

Short-term rentals are permitted in the City of Anacortes subject to a mandatory land-use permit and annual renewal. While owners do not have to reside on-site, there is a limit of one STR permit per person or entity.

Permit required

0.1% total tax

Walla Walla

Washington

Strict

Short-term rentals in the City of Walla Walla are regulated under Title 20.170, requiring a specific Land Use Permit and a safety inspection. The city distinguishes between owner-occupied (Type I) and non-owner occupied (Type II) rentals, with the latter subject to a strict one-per-block-face density limit.

Permit required

0.1% total tax

Kirkland

Baseline Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

4 Things Hosts Often Miss

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Regulation Details

Eligibility(9)

Requirements(12)

Application Process(7)

Fees & Costs(1)

Taxes(2)

Limits & Restrictions(4)

Safety Requirements(1)

Penalties(2)

Exemptions(3)

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Step-by-Step Application Guide

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Frequently Asked Questions

Related Content

Other Washington Markets

Lake Chelan

Ocean Shores

Anacortes

Walla Walla

Kirkland

Baseline Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

4 Things Hosts Often Miss

Step-by-Step Application Guide

Upgrade to Pro

Frequently Asked Questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Kirkland?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Kirkland?

3Are there rental night limits in Kirkland?

4What are the penalties for non-compliance in Kirkland?

Related Content

Other Washington Markets

Lake Chelan

Ocean Shores

Anacortes

Walla Walla