What zoning rules apply to STRs in Ellensburg?

Whole-home (unhosted) rentals are effectively barred from traditional low-density residential zones (R-S, R-L) without a Conditional Use Permit.

What should Ellensburg hosts know about state law requires $1,000,000 liability?

State law requires $1,000,000 liability insurance coverage.

What are the key requirements for Ellensburg hosts?

A physical floor plan and emergency contact information must be posted conspicuously inside the unit.

Ellensburg

Strict

WashingtonUpdated Apr 11, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 0 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Feb 8, 2026Sources 0

Summary

Plain-english overview

Ellensburg distinguishes between hosted and unhosted short-term rentals, requiring a city business license for all and a Conditional Use Permit for non-owner-occupied units in residential zones.

Restriction level

Severity 63

Classification

Strict

Severity

Why this classification

Primary residence required
Owner-occupied required
Permit required
Reporting required
No night cap
Tenants can host

In plain English

What this means for you

If you rent out a room in your own home (hosted), you are generally allowed in most zones with a city business license. If you rent out an entire home where you don't live (unhosted), you are restricted to specific zones and will likely need a Conditional Use Permit from the city. All hosts must carry $1 million in liability insurance and post safety information as required by Washington state law.

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceRequired

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$30

Processing time1-2 weeks

3 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Whole-home (unhosted) rentals are effectively barred from traditional low-density residential zones (R-S, R-L) without a Conditional Use Permit.
2State law requires $1,000,000 liability insurance coverage.
3A physical floor plan and emergency contact information must be posted conspicuously inside the unit.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility6 rules

Ellensburg: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
Ellensburg: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
Ellensburg prohibits STRs in the following property types: RV, Travel Trailer, Tent, Temporary Shelters.

Requirements11 rules

Ellensburg requires liability insurance for STR hosts. Minimum coverage: $1,000,000. Must maintain primary liability insurance of at least $1 million per RCW 64.37.050.
Ellensburg STR warning: State law requires $1,000,000 liability insurance coverage.
Ellensburg: You must display your permit/registration number on your Airbnb listing.

Application process8 rules

Ellensburg STR permit - Step 1: Obtain Washington State Business License. Apply for a Unified Business Identifier (UBI) through the Washington State Department of Revenue. Required documents: Tax information, Entity details. Time: 1 week. Cost: 50.

Fees & costs2 rules

Ellensburg charges a registration fee of $30 (annual). Extended/additional fee: $65 (A $65 processing fee applies for Home Occupation Permit applications (hosted rentals).).
Ellensburg: State law requires $1,000,000 liability insurance coverage.

Taxes2 rules

Washington has a state sales tax of 0.065% that applies to STR rentals.
Ellensburg charges a Special Hotel/Motel Tax of 0.02%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Platforms like Airbnb and VRBO typically collect and remit both the sales tax and the local lodging tax in Washington.

Limits & restrictions4 rules

Ellensburg occupancy calculation: 2 persons per bedroom plus 2 additional persons. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Ellensburg limits STRs to a maximum of 10 guests. Formula: 2 persons per bedroom plus 2 additional persons
Ellensburg limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.
Ellensburg enforces quiet hours: 10pm-7am.

Safety requirements1 rule

Ellensburg requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Floor plan indicating fire exits, Street address clearly posted inside unit, Carbon monoxide alarms per RCW 19.27.530.

Penalties2 rules

Ellensburg: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
Ellensburg enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Warning Letter. Second offense: Class 2 Civil Infraction. Third offense: Varies by code enforcement. Permit may be revoked for violations.

Exemptions2 rules

Ellensburg: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
Ellensburg exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays, Hotels, Motels, Bed and Breakfasts.

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Ellensburg

0/4

steps completed

Step 1

Obtain Washington State Business License

Apply for a Unified Business Identifier (UBI) through the Washington State Department of Revenue.

1 week$50

Documents needed

Tax information
Entity details

Official resource

Step 2

Add Ellensburg City Endorsement

5 business days$30

Documents needed

UBI number

Official resource

Step 3

Apply for Home Occupation Permit

If the rental is in your primary residence, you must apply for a Home Occupation Permit with the City Planning Division.

2-3 weeks$65

Documents needed

Site plan
Description of activity
Owner authorization

Official resource

Step 4

Verify Zoning and Conditional Use

If operating an unhosted whole-home rental in a residential area, verify zoning and apply for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) if required.

2-4 months$500

Documents needed

Environmental Checklist
Project description
Site plans

Official resource

Frequently asked questions

4 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

Ellensburg

Strict

WashingtonUpdated Apr 11, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 0 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Feb 8, 2026Sources 0

Summary

Plain-english overview

Ellensburg distinguishes between hosted and unhosted short-term rentals, requiring a city business license for all and a Conditional Use Permit for non-owner-occupied units in residential zones.

Restriction level

Severity 63

Classification

Strict

Severity

Why this classification

Primary residence required
Owner-occupied required
Permit required
Reporting required
No night cap
Tenants can host

In plain English

What this means for you

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceRequired

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$30

Processing time1-2 weeks

3 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Whole-home (unhosted) rentals are effectively barred from traditional low-density residential zones (R-S, R-L) without a Conditional Use Permit.
2State law requires $1,000,000 liability insurance coverage.
3A physical floor plan and emergency contact information must be posted conspicuously inside the unit.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility6 rules

Ellensburg: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
Ellensburg: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
Ellensburg prohibits STRs in the following property types: RV, Travel Trailer, Tent, Temporary Shelters.

Requirements11 rules

Ellensburg requires liability insurance for STR hosts. Minimum coverage: $1,000,000. Must maintain primary liability insurance of at least $1 million per RCW 64.37.050.
Ellensburg STR warning: State law requires $1,000,000 liability insurance coverage.
Ellensburg: You must display your permit/registration number on your Airbnb listing.

Application process8 rules

Ellensburg STR permit - Step 1: Obtain Washington State Business License. Apply for a Unified Business Identifier (UBI) through the Washington State Department of Revenue. Required documents: Tax information, Entity details. Time: 1 week. Cost: 50.

Fees & costs2 rules

Ellensburg charges a registration fee of $30 (annual). Extended/additional fee: $65 (A $65 processing fee applies for Home Occupation Permit applications (hosted rentals).).
Ellensburg: State law requires $1,000,000 liability insurance coverage.

Taxes2 rules

Washington has a state sales tax of 0.065% that applies to STR rentals.
Ellensburg charges a Special Hotel/Motel Tax of 0.02%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Platforms like Airbnb and VRBO typically collect and remit both the sales tax and the local lodging tax in Washington.

Limits & restrictions4 rules

Ellensburg occupancy calculation: 2 persons per bedroom plus 2 additional persons. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Ellensburg limits STRs to a maximum of 10 guests. Formula: 2 persons per bedroom plus 2 additional persons
Ellensburg limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.
Ellensburg enforces quiet hours: 10pm-7am.

Safety requirements1 rule

Ellensburg requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Floor plan indicating fire exits, Street address clearly posted inside unit, Carbon monoxide alarms per RCW 19.27.530.

Penalties2 rules

Ellensburg: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
Ellensburg enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Warning Letter. Second offense: Class 2 Civil Infraction. Third offense: Varies by code enforcement. Permit may be revoked for violations.

Exemptions2 rules

Ellensburg: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
Ellensburg exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays, Hotels, Motels, Bed and Breakfasts.

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Ellensburg

0/4

steps completed

Step 1

Obtain Washington State Business License

Apply for a Unified Business Identifier (UBI) through the Washington State Department of Revenue.

1 week$50

Documents needed

Tax information
Entity details

Official resource

Step 2

Add Ellensburg City Endorsement

5 business days$30

Documents needed

UBI number

Official resource

Step 3

Apply for Home Occupation Permit

If the rental is in your primary residence, you must apply for a Home Occupation Permit with the City Planning Division.

2-3 weeks$65

Documents needed

Site plan
Description of activity
Owner authorization

Official resource

Step 4

Verify Zoning and Conditional Use

If operating an unhosted whole-home rental in a residential area, verify zoning and apply for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) if required.

2-4 months$500

Documents needed

Environmental Checklist
Project description
Site plans

Official resource

Frequently asked questions

4 answered

Disclaimer

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

3 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

Obtain Washington State Business License

Add Ellensburg City Endorsement

Apply for Home Occupation Permit

Verify Zoning and Conditional Use

Frequently asked questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Ellensburg?

3Are there rental night limits in Ellensburg?

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

Disclaimer

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

3 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

Obtain Washington State Business License

Add Ellensburg City Endorsement

Apply for Home Occupation Permit

Verify Zoning and Conditional Use

Frequently asked questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Ellensburg?

3Are there rental night limits in Ellensburg?

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

Disclaimer