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, WA Short-Term Rental... | Learn STR by GoStudioM

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Summary

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

⛔

Strict

Score: 41 (moderate)

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

At a Glance

Permit Required

Yes

Night Limit

None

Primary Residence

Not Required

Total Tax Rate

0.1%

Permit Fee

$375

Processing Time

4-6 weeks

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

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.

Regulation Details

Eligibility(10)

•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.

Requirements(21)

•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 Process(11)

•Anacortes extended permit requirement: Annual renewal fee

Fees & Costs(1)

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

Taxes(3)

•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 & Restrictions(9)

•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 Requirements(1)

•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.

Penalties(3)

•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.

Exemptions(3)

•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).

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

Sequim

Washington

Moderate

The City of Sequim does not have a specific STR ordinance but regulates rentals under the 'Bed and Breakfast' and 'Transient Lodging' zoning definitions. Hosts must obtain a standard City of Sequim Business License endorsement via the Washington Department of Revenue and collect a total lodging tax of 10.5%.

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

Anacortes

Gold Standard Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

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Regulation Details

Eligibility(10)

Requirements(21)

Application Process(11)

Fees & Costs(1)

Taxes(3)

Limits & Restrictions(9)

Safety Requirements(1)

Penalties(3)

Exemptions(3)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Related Content

Other Washington Markets

Lake Chelan

Ocean Shores

Sequim

Walla Walla

Anacortes

Gold Standard Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

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?

Related Content

Other Washington Markets

Lake Chelan

Ocean Shores

Sequim

Walla Walla