What zoning rules apply to STRs in Everett?

Primary residence is strictly enforced in R-1 and R-2 zones.

What should Everett hosts know about off-street parking is required for?

Off-street parking is required for guests (usually 1 space per 2 bedrooms).

What should Everett hosts know about washington state law (rcw 64.37)?

Washington State law (RCW 64.37) requires all STRs to maintain at least $1M in liability insurance.

Everett

Strict

WashingtonUpdated Apr 7, 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

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

Restriction level

Severity 73

Classification

Strict

Severity

Why this classification

Primary residence required
Owner-occupied required
Tenants cannot host
Permit required
Reporting required
No night cap

In plain English

What this means for you

To run an Airbnb or VRBO in Everett, you must get a city business license and follow rules regarding parking and guest limits. In single-family residential neighborhoods (R-1 and R-2), the rental unit must typically be the owner's primary residence to be eligible.

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceRequired

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$125

Processing time2-3 weeks

Max fine$5,000

3 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Primary residence is strictly enforced in R-1 and R-2 zones.
2Off-street parking is required for guests (usually 1 space per 2 bedrooms).
3Washington State law (RCW 64.37) requires all STRs to maintain at least $1M in liability insurance.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility5 rules

Everett: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
Everett does NOT allow tenants to host STRs. Only property owners may operate short-term rentals.
Everett allows STRs in the following property types: Single Family Home, Condo, Townhouse, Multi-family unit, ADU.

Requirements10 rules

Everett requires liability insurance for STR hosts. Minimum coverage: $1,000,000. Commercial general liability insurance or specialized short-term rental insurance is required per WA state law (RCW 64.37).

Application process7 rules

Step-by-step guide to get an STR permit in Everett: Step 1: Verify Zoning and Residency - Confirm your property is in a zone that allows STRs and verify if you meet the primary residency requirement if located in R-1 or R-2 zones. Estimated time: 1 day. More info: https://www.everettwa.gov/646/Zoning-Maps Step 2: Apply for Washington State Business License - Apply through the WA Department of Revenue (DOR) and add the Everett City License endorsement. Documents needed: Unified Business Identifier (UBI) number, Property tax ID. Estimated time: 1-2 weeks. Cost: 125. More info: https://dor.wa.gov/manage-business/city-license-endorsements/everett Step 3: Register for Taxes - Ensure your state business license includes a registration for Sales and Use tax and Lodging tax. Estimated time: Concurrent. More info: https://dor.wa.gov Step 4: Create Guest Safety Folder - Post the required emergency contact info, quiet hours, and parking rules inside the unit. Documents needed: Emergency contact info, House rules. Estimated time: 1 day.

Fees & costs2 rules

Everett: Washington State law (RCW 64.37) requires all STRs to maintain at least $1M in liability insurance.
Everett charges a registration fee of $125 (annual).

Taxes2 rules

Everett 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: Airbnb and VRBO collect and remit WA state and local sales taxes plus the 2% lodging tax.
Washington has a state sales tax of 0.065% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & restrictions4 rules

Everett limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.
Everett occupancy calculation: 2 persons per bedroom, up to a maximum of 8 total guests. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Everett limits STRs to a maximum of 8 guests. Formula: 2 persons per bedroom, up to a maximum of 8 total guests
Everett enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM - 7:00 AM.

Safety requirements1 rule

Everett requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Interconnected smoke alarms, Egress windows in all sleeping areas, Posted evacuation map.

Penalties2 rules

Everett: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
Everett enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: $250 fine. Second offense: $500 fine. Third offense: Revocation of business license. Daily fine: $250 per day. Maximum fine: 5000. Permit may be revoked for violations.

Exemptions2 rules

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

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Everett

0/4

steps completed

Step 1

Verify Zoning and Residency

Confirm your property is in a zone that allows STRs and verify if you meet the primary residency requirement if located in R-1 or R-2 zones.

1 dayFree

Official resource

Step 2

Apply for Washington State Business License

Apply through the WA Department of Revenue (DOR) and add the Everett City License endorsement.

1-2 weeks$125

Documents needed

Unified Business Identifier (UBI) number
Property tax ID

Official resource

Step 3

Register for Taxes

Ensure your state business license includes a registration for Sales and Use tax and Lodging tax.

ConcurrentFree

Official resource

Step 4

Create Guest Safety Folder

Post the required emergency contact info, quiet hours, and parking rules inside the unit.

1 dayFree

Documents needed

Emergency contact info
House rules

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

Everett

Strict

WashingtonUpdated Apr 7, 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

Restriction level

Severity 73

Classification

Strict

Severity

Why this classification

Primary residence required
Owner-occupied required
Tenants cannot host
Permit required
Reporting required
No night cap

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$125

Processing time2-3 weeks

Max fine$5,000

3 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Primary residence is strictly enforced in R-1 and R-2 zones.
2Off-street parking is required for guests (usually 1 space per 2 bedrooms).
3Washington State law (RCW 64.37) requires all STRs to maintain at least $1M in liability insurance.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility5 rules

Everett: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
Everett does NOT allow tenants to host STRs. Only property owners may operate short-term rentals.
Everett allows STRs in the following property types: Single Family Home, Condo, Townhouse, Multi-family unit, ADU.

Requirements10 rules

Everett requires liability insurance for STR hosts. Minimum coverage: $1,000,000. Commercial general liability insurance or specialized short-term rental insurance is required per WA state law (RCW 64.37).

Application process7 rules

Step-by-step guide to get an STR permit in Everett: Step 1: Verify Zoning and Residency - Confirm your property is in a zone that allows STRs and verify if you meet the primary residency requirement if located in R-1 or R-2 zones. Estimated time: 1 day. More info: https://www.everettwa.gov/646/Zoning-Maps Step 2: Apply for Washington State Business License - Apply through the WA Department of Revenue (DOR) and add the Everett City License endorsement. Documents needed: Unified Business Identifier (UBI) number, Property tax ID. Estimated time: 1-2 weeks. Cost: 125. More info: https://dor.wa.gov/manage-business/city-license-endorsements/everett Step 3: Register for Taxes - Ensure your state business license includes a registration for Sales and Use tax and Lodging tax. Estimated time: Concurrent. More info: https://dor.wa.gov Step 4: Create Guest Safety Folder - Post the required emergency contact info, quiet hours, and parking rules inside the unit. Documents needed: Emergency contact info, House rules. Estimated time: 1 day.

Fees & costs2 rules

Everett: Washington State law (RCW 64.37) requires all STRs to maintain at least $1M in liability insurance.
Everett charges a registration fee of $125 (annual).

Taxes2 rules

Everett 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: Airbnb and VRBO collect and remit WA state and local sales taxes plus the 2% lodging tax.
Washington has a state sales tax of 0.065% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & restrictions4 rules

Everett limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.
Everett occupancy calculation: 2 persons per bedroom, up to a maximum of 8 total guests. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Everett limits STRs to a maximum of 8 guests. Formula: 2 persons per bedroom, up to a maximum of 8 total guests
Everett enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM - 7:00 AM.

Safety requirements1 rule

Everett requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Interconnected smoke alarms, Egress windows in all sleeping areas, Posted evacuation map.

Penalties2 rules

Everett: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
Everett enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: $250 fine. Second offense: $500 fine. Third offense: Revocation of business license. Daily fine: $250 per day. Maximum fine: 5000. Permit may be revoked for violations.

Exemptions2 rules

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

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Everett

0/4

steps completed

Step 1

Verify Zoning and Residency

Confirm your property is in a zone that allows STRs and verify if you meet the primary residency requirement if located in R-1 or R-2 zones.

1 dayFree

Official resource

Step 2

Apply for Washington State Business License

Apply through the WA Department of Revenue (DOR) and add the Everett City License endorsement.

1-2 weeks$125

Documents needed

Unified Business Identifier (UBI) number
Property tax ID

Official resource

Step 3

Register for Taxes

Ensure your state business license includes a registration for Sales and Use tax and Lodging tax.

ConcurrentFree

Official resource

Step 4

Create Guest Safety Folder

Post the required emergency contact info, quiet hours, and parking rules inside the unit.

1 dayFree

Documents needed

Emergency contact info
House rules

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

Verify Zoning and Residency

Apply for Washington State Business License

Register for Taxes

Create Guest Safety Folder

Frequently asked questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Everett?

3Are there residency requirements for STRs in Everett?

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

Disclaimer

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

3 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

Verify Zoning and Residency

Apply for Washington State Business License

Register for Taxes

Create Guest Safety Folder

Frequently asked questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Everett?

3Are there residency requirements for STRs in Everett?

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

Disclaimer