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

**Yes**, Friday Harbor requires a Short-Term Rental Permit for stays under 30 days. You need to apply annually, and the property must pass a fire safety inspection. Note that the town has a city-wide cap on non-owner-occupied units in certain residential zones per Municipal Code Chapter 5.40. (55 words)

What is the TOT tax rate in Friday Harbor?

**7% TOT** is the current transient occupancy tax rate for short-term rentals in Friday Harbor. Hosts are responsible for collecting this tax from guests and remitting it to the town. Check with the local finance department for specific filing deadlines and procedures, since Airbnb and VRBO may automatically collect a portion of this tax. (57 words)

Are short-term rentals allowed in Friday Harbor?

**Yes**, short-term rentals are allowed in Friday Harbor, but they are strictly regulated. Stays are limited to fewer than 30 days, and you will need a permit. Be aware that there is a city-wide cap on the number of non-owner-occupied short-term rentals allowed in certain residential zones, per Municipal Code Chapter 5.40. (52 words)

How much does an STR permit cost in Friday Harbor?

**$150** is the annual fee for a Short-Term Rental Permit in Friday Harbor. You must renew this permit each year to legally operate a short-term rental within the town limits. In addition to the permit fee, your property will need to pass a fire safety inspection to ensure compliance per Municipal Code Chapter 5.40. (52 words)

Can renters host on Airbnb in Friday Harbor?

**No**, tenants are generally not permitted to host on Airbnb in Friday Harbor without the property owner's explicit consent. Since the Town of Friday Harbor requires a permit and regulates short-term rentals, you need to ensure you have the legal right to sublet the property. Consult your lease agreement carefully, per Municipal Code Chapter 5.40. (53 words)

Friday Harbor

Strict

STRs Allowed

WashingtonLast updated: February 13, 2026

Gold Standard Verification

100%

Forensically verified with 3+ official sources

Verified: Jan 30, 2026

3 Official Sources

Summary

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. Stays are limited to fewer than 30 days, and properties are subject to a city-wide cap on non-owner-occupied units in certain residential zones.

Restriction Level

⛔

Strict

Score: 36 (restrictive)

Why this classification:

•Standard permit fee: $150
•Limited to 1 property per owner
•Tenants cannot host
•Permit required
•Reporting required
•No night cap
•No primary residence requirement

In Plain English

To host an Airbnb in Friday Harbor, you must first get a Town-specific permit, which is different from the San Juan County permit. You'll need to provide a floor plan, show you have $500k in liability insurance, and pass a fire inspection. Be aware that the town has a limit on how many rental permits it issues, so check for availability before buying property. Once approved, you must pay a 7% local lodging tax on all bookings in addition to state taxes.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Yes

Night Limit

None

Primary Residence

Not Required

Total Tax Rate

0.1%

Permit Fee

$150

Processing Time

30-45 days

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

1.The Town of Friday Harbor has its own rules separate from San Juan County; county permits are NOT valid within town limits.
2.Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) built after 2018 generally cannot be used as short-term rentals.
3.There is a strict limit (cap) on the total number of non-owner-occupied STR permits allowed in the Town.
4.You must designate a local contact person available 24/7 to respond to complaints within 60 minutes.
5.A fire inspection is mandatory before the permit is issued and may be required annually.
6.Short-term rentals are strictly defined as stays under 30 consecutive days.
7.The 7% local tax is often not fully collected by platforms and may require manual quarterly reporting to the Town.

Regulation Details

Eligibility(10)

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

Requirements(19)

•Friday Harbor: You must display your permit/registration number on your listing. Platforms may remove non-compliant listings.
•Friday Harbor, WA: Hosts must report their rental activity quarterly to the city, even if platforms collect taxes.
•Friday Harbor, WA: A fire inspection may be required before you can operate. Schedule early as this can delay your start date.

Application Process(11)

•Friday Harbor extended permit requirement: A $250 initial application fee may apply for new permits in certain zones.
•Friday Harbor: To apply for an STR permit, you'll need: Floor plan showing exits, Proof of liability insurance, State Business License (UBI), Local property manager contact info, Parking plan.

Fees & Costs(1)

•Friday Harbor charges a registration fee of $150 (annual).

Taxes(3)

•Friday Harbor: The 7% local tax is often not fully collected by platforms and may require manual quarterly reporting to the Town.
•Washington has a state sales tax of 6.5% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & Restrictions(9)

•Friday Harbor enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM - 7:00 AM.
•Friday Harbor: Each person can only register ONE property for short-term rental. You cannot legally operate multiple STRs.
•Friday Harbor: The Town of Friday Harbor has its own rules separate from San Juan County; county permits are NOT valid within town limits.

Safety Requirements(2)

•Friday Harbor: A fire inspection is mandatory before the permit is issued and may be required annually.
•Friday Harbor requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Posted escape route on back of bedroom doors, First aid kit.

Penalties(4)

•Friday Harbor: Short-term rentals are strictly defined as stays under 30 consecutive days.
•Friday Harbor enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: $250 fine. Second offense: $500 fine. Third offense: Permit revocation and $1,000 fine. Daily fine: $250. Maximum fine: Varies by court ruling. Permit may be revoked for violations.

Exemptions(3)

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

Anacortes

Washington

Strict

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.

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

Friday Harbor

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(19)

Application Process(11)

Fees & Costs(1)

Taxes(3)

Limits & Restrictions(9)

Safety Requirements(2)

Penalties(4)

Exemptions(3)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Related Content

Other Washington Markets

Lake Chelan

Ocean Shores

Anacortes

Walla Walla

Friday Harbor

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 Friday Harbor?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Friday Harbor?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Friday Harbor?

4How much does an STR permit cost in Friday Harbor?

5Can renters host on Airbnb in Friday Harbor?

Related Content

Other Washington Markets

Lake Chelan

Ocean Shores

Anacortes

Walla Walla