Washington short-term rental regulations

Short-term rentals (stays of less than 30 days) are generally prohibited in all residential zoning districts in Bellevue.

0.1% tax

Leavenworth

Washington

Short-term rentals in the City of Leavenworth are heavily regulated and strictly prohibited in most residential zones (RL and MF), primarily allowed only in...

Bellingham

Washington

Short-term rentals are permitted in the City of Bellingham subject to a mandatory land-use permit and annual renewal.

Permit fee $1600.1% tax

Winthrop

Washington

Winthrop strictly regulates short-term 'Overnight Rentals' through a permit cap, specific zoning requirements, and mandatory business licensing.

Permit fee $600.1% tax

Strict

Heavy restrictions apply

10 markets

Heavy regulation: caps, primary-residence rules, lottery permits, or night limits.

Walla Walla

Washington

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.

Permit fee $4000.1% tax

Anacortes

Washington

Short-term rentals are permitted in the City of Anacortes subject to a mandatory land-use permit and annual renewal.

Permit fee $3750.1% tax

Spokane

Washington

Short-term rentals (STRs) in Spokane require a specific administrative permit, a city-endorsed state business license, and annual safety certification.

Permit fee $2000.1% tax

Ellensburg

Washington

Ellensburg distinguishes between hosted and unhosted short-term rentals, requiring a city business license for all and a Conditional Use Permit for...

Permit fee $300.1% tax

Everett

Washington

Everett allows short-term rentals (STRs) in most residential and commercial zones, provided operators obtain a city business license and comply with specific...

Permit fee $1250.1% tax

Kirkland

Washington

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...

Permit fee $2300.1% tax

Port Townsend

Washington

The City of Port Townsend strictly regulates short-term rentals via Chapter 17.

Permit fee $4500.1% tax

Redmond

Washington

Redmond requires short-term rental operators to obtain both a state and city business license, pass a safety inspection/checklist, and adhere to primary...

Permit fee $1600.2% tax

Manson

Washington

Manson follows Chelan County's tiered short-term rental regulations, which include a 9% density cap for non-owner occupied units and strict operational...

Permit fee $6000.1% tax

Friday Harbor

Washington

The Town of Friday Harbor strictly regulates short-term rentals through Municipal Code Chapter 5.40, requiring an annual permit and a fire safety inspection.

Permit fee $1500.1% tax

Moderate

Permit required · STRs broadly allowed

11 markets

Permit + tax registration required; otherwise STRs are broadly allowed.

Lake Chelan

Washington

Short-term rentals are strictly regulated in the City of Lake Chelan under Chapter 5.56 of the Municipal Code.

Ocean Shores

Washington

Ocean Shores requires all short-term rentals to obtain a specific STR license (Chapter 5.44) and a general city business license.

Permit fee $4500.1% tax

Sequim

Washington

The City of Sequim does not have a specific STR ordinance but regulates rentals under the 'Bed and Breakfast' and 'Transient Lodging' zoning definitions.

Permit fee $500.1% tax

San Juan County

WashingtonCounty

San Juan County (unincorporated) requires a Vacation Rental Permit and a fire safety inspection for all stays under 30 days.

Permit fee $1,0510.1% tax

Seattle

Washington

Seattle requires all short-term rental operators to obtain both a general business license and a specific STR regulatory license ($75/year).

Permit fee $750.2% tax

Tacoma

Washington

Short-term rentals in Tacoma require a city business license and must comply with specific safety standards and owner-occupancy rules for ADUs and room rentals.

Permit fee $1100.1% tax

Westport

Washington

Short-term rentals are regulated in the City of Westport under Municipal Code Chapter 5.16.

Permit fee $1500.1% tax

Long Beach

Washington

The City of Long Beach requires all short-term rental operators to obtain an annual license and pass a fire safety inspection.

Vancouver

Washington

Vancouver requires a one-time $250 short-term rental permit and a city business license for all stays under 30 days, with a city-wide cap of 870 units.

Permit fee $2500.1% tax

Port Angeles

Washington

The City of Port Angeles regulates short-term rentals under Chapter 17.100, requiring an annual permit and a fire safety inspection.

Permit fee $1500.1% tax

Cheney

Washington

Cheney regulates short-term rentals primarily through general business licensing and zoning for 'Bed and Breakfast' or 'Transient Lodging' uses rather than a...

Permit fee $500.1% tax

Permissive

Light-touch rules · STRs welcome

6 markets

Minimal restrictions: basic registration, no permit caps, no night limits.

Seabrook

Washington

Short-term rentals in Seabrook are regulated by Grays Harbor County and require an annual permit, safety inspections, and adherence to specific occupancy...

Island County

WashingtonCounty

Unincorporated Island County does not currently have a dedicated short-term rental permit system, though new regulations are actively being developed as of...

0.1% tax

Tukwila

Washington

Tukwila, WA requires all owners of residential rental property, including those used for short-term rentals, to obtain an annual Rental Business License and...

Olympia

Washington

Olympia regulates short-term rentals by distinguishing between 'homestays' and 'vacation rentals,' requiring a specific permit and a two-unit cap for unhosted...

Permit fee $1000.1% tax

Pullman

Washington

Short-term rentals in Pullman are permitted as 'Transient Rentals' in specific zones and require an Annual Business License along with a Conditional Use Permit...

Permit fee $600.1% tax

Renton

Washington

Short-term rentals in Renton require a city business license and must adhere to strict safety map requirements, off-street parking rules, and occupancy limits.