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

**Yes**, Anacortes requires a Short-Term Rental Permit. You need to apply for a land-use permit through the city, which costs $375 annually. This permit is subject to annual renewal, and there is a limit of one STR permit per person or entity in Anacortes.

What is the TOT tax rate in Anacortes?

**4% TOT** is the current transient occupancy tax rate for short-term rentals in Anacortes. Hosts are responsible for collecting this tax from guests and remitting it to the city. Always confirm with the city of Anacortes about tax requirements and due dates to ensure full compliance.

Are short-term rentals allowed in Anacortes?

**Yes**, short-term rentals are permitted in the City of Anacortes, subject to specific regulations. You need to obtain a Short-Term Rental Permit and comply with all applicable local laws. Note that there is a limit of one STR permit per person or entity. Always check local zoning laws.

Do I need to live in my property to rent it on Airbnb in Anacortes?

**No**, you are not required to live in your property to rent it out on Airbnb in Anacortes. The city allows non-owner-occupied short-term rentals, but you must still obtain a Short-Term Rental Permit. Ensure you comply with all other regulations and tax requirements.

Can renters host on Airbnb in Anacortes?

**No**, renters are not allowed to host on Airbnb in Anacortes. The short-term rental permit is only available to property owners or entities. Renters should review their lease agreements and local regulations before listing a property on Airbnb or similar platforms.

Anacortes

Strict

WashingtonUpdated Feb 13, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 3 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Jan 30, 2026Sources 3

Summary

Plain-english overview

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.

Restriction level

Severity 41

Classification

Strict

Severity

Why this classification

Moderate permit fee: $375
Limited to 1 property per owner
Tenants cannot host
Permit required
Reporting required
No night cap
No primary residence requirement

In plain English

What this means for you

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$375

Processing time4-6 weeks

7 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1You cannot use an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) as an STR if it was permitted after 2018.
2Only one STR permit is allowed per person or legal entity city-wide.
3A local contact person must be available 24/7 to respond to complaints within 45 minutes.
4The total tax rate is 12.8%, which includes a specific 4% Anacortes Lodging Tax.
5Maximum occupancy is strictly capped at 10 guests regardless of home size.
6Off-street parking must be provided for all guests (1 space per bedroom).
7If you are outside city limits in Unincorporated Skagit County, different rules and a different permit process apply.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility10 rules

Anacortes, WA: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
Anacortes: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
Anacortes does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.
Anacortes limits hosts to a maximum of 1 STR properties per owner.

Requirements21 rules

Common mistakes and gotchas for STR hosts in Anacortes: 1. You cannot use an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) as an STR if it was permitted after 2018. 2. Only one STR permit is allowed per person or legal entity city-wide. 3. A local contact person must be available 24/7 to respond to complaints within 45 minutes. 4. The total tax rate is 12.8%, which includes a specific 4% Anacortes Lodging Tax. 5. Maximum occupancy is strictly capped at 10 guests regardless of home size. 6. Off-street parking must be provided for all guests (1 space per bedroom). 7. If you are outside city limits in Unincorporated Skagit County, different rules and a different permit process apply.

Application process11 rules

Anacortes extended permit requirement: Annual renewal fee

Fees & costs1 rule

Anacortes charges a registration fee of $375 (one_time). Extended/additional fee: $125 (Annual renewal fee).

Taxes3 rules

Washington has a state sales tax of 6.5% that applies to STR rentals.
Anacortes charges a Lodging Tax of 4%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and VRBO collect WA state sales tax and local lodging tax automatically.
Anacortes: The total tax rate is 12.8%, which includes a specific 4% Anacortes Lodging Tax.

Limits & restrictions9 rules

Anacortes enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM.
Anacortes limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.
Anacortes limits STRs to a maximum of 10 guests. Formula: 2 persons per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, not to exceed 10 total.
Anacortes occupancy calculation: 2 persons per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, not to exceed 10 total.. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.

Safety requirements1 rule

Anacortes requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Egress windows in all sleeping rooms, Interconnected smoke alarms, Posted house rules and evacuation map.

Penalties3 rules

Anacortes: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
Anacortes, WA: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions3 rules

Anacortes, WA: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
Anacortes: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).

Frequently asked questions

5 answered

Disclaimer

Regulatory information is AI-researched from public city/county codes 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.

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

Anacortes

Strict

WashingtonUpdated Feb 13, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 3 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Jan 30, 2026Sources 3

Summary

Plain-english overview

Restriction level

Severity 41

Classification

Strict

Severity

Why this classification

Moderate permit fee: $375
Limited to 1 property per owner
Tenants cannot host
Permit required
Reporting required
No night cap
No primary residence requirement

In plain English

What this means for you

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$375

Processing time4-6 weeks

7 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1You cannot use an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) as an STR if it was permitted after 2018.
2Only one STR permit is allowed per person or legal entity city-wide.
3A local contact person must be available 24/7 to respond to complaints within 45 minutes.
4The total tax rate is 12.8%, which includes a specific 4% Anacortes Lodging Tax.
5Maximum occupancy is strictly capped at 10 guests regardless of home size.
6Off-street parking must be provided for all guests (1 space per bedroom).
7If you are outside city limits in Unincorporated Skagit County, different rules and a different permit process apply.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility10 rules

Anacortes, WA: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
Anacortes: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
Anacortes does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.
Anacortes limits hosts to a maximum of 1 STR properties per owner.

Requirements21 rules

Common mistakes and gotchas for STR hosts in Anacortes: 1. You cannot use an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) as an STR if it was permitted after 2018. 2. Only one STR permit is allowed per person or legal entity city-wide. 3. A local contact person must be available 24/7 to respond to complaints within 45 minutes. 4. The total tax rate is 12.8%, which includes a specific 4% Anacortes Lodging Tax. 5. Maximum occupancy is strictly capped at 10 guests regardless of home size. 6. Off-street parking must be provided for all guests (1 space per bedroom). 7. If you are outside city limits in Unincorporated Skagit County, different rules and a different permit process apply.

Application process11 rules

Anacortes extended permit requirement: Annual renewal fee

Fees & costs1 rule

Anacortes charges a registration fee of $375 (one_time). Extended/additional fee: $125 (Annual renewal fee).

Taxes3 rules

Washington has a state sales tax of 6.5% that applies to STR rentals.
Anacortes charges a Lodging Tax of 4%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and VRBO collect WA state sales tax and local lodging tax automatically.
Anacortes: The total tax rate is 12.8%, which includes a specific 4% Anacortes Lodging Tax.

Limits & restrictions9 rules

Anacortes enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM.
Anacortes limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.
Anacortes limits STRs to a maximum of 10 guests. Formula: 2 persons per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, not to exceed 10 total.
Anacortes occupancy calculation: 2 persons per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, not to exceed 10 total.. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.

Safety requirements1 rule

Anacortes requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Egress windows in all sleeping rooms, Interconnected smoke alarms, Posted house rules and evacuation map.

Penalties3 rules

Anacortes: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
Anacortes, WA: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions3 rules

Anacortes, WA: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
Anacortes: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).

Frequently asked questions

5 answered

Disclaimer

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

7 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

Frequently asked questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Anacortes?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Anacortes?

4Do I need to live in my property to rent it on Airbnb in Anacortes?

5Can renters host on Airbnb in Anacortes?

Disclaimer

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

7 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

Frequently asked questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Anacortes?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Anacortes?

4Do I need to live in my property to rent it on Airbnb in Anacortes?

5Can renters host on Airbnb in Anacortes?

Disclaimer