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  1. Home
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  3. Regulations
  4. ·
  5. Washington
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  7. Kirkland

Kirkland

Strict
WashingtonUpdated Apr 18, 2026
Gold-standard verification1% sourced

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

Verified Feb 10, 2026Sources 0

Summary

Plain-english overview

Kirkland requires short-term rental hosts of detached dwellings to occupy the property as their primary residence for at least 245 days per year and limits unhosted rentals to 120 nights annually.

Restriction level

Severity 89
Classification
Strict
89
Severity

Why this classification

  • Primary residence required
  • Owner-occupied required
  • Moderate night cap: 120 nights/year
  • Standard permit fee: $230
  • Limited to 2 properties per owner
  • Permit required
  • Reporting required
  • Tenants can host

In plain English

What this means for you

To host a short-term rental in Kirkland, you must live in the property as your primary residence for at least 8 months of the year. You are required to obtain a city business license, pay an annual fee (typically $230), and designate a local property manager who lives within 15 miles of the home. Unhosted rentals are capped at 120 nights per year, though there is no cap if you are present during the stay.

At a glance

Key numbers
Permit requiredYes
Night limit120/year
Primary residenceRequired
Total tax rate0.1%
Permit fee$230
Processing time2-4 weeks

4 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps
  1. 1You must live in the home for 245 days a year—investment properties where the owner never lives are prohibited.
  2. 2If you are not present during stays (unhosted), you cannot rent the unit for more than 120 days per year.
  3. 3A local property manager must live within 15 miles and be available 24/7 when the host is away.
  4. 4Multifamily units (condos) are subject to city licensing but also must clear specific HOA/building management restrictions.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code
Eligibility9 rules
  • Kirkland: If you are not present during stays (unhosted), you cannot rent the unit for more than 120 days per year.
  • Kirkland prohibits STRs in the following property types: Multi-family (Condos/Apartments are governed by individual complex rules, but still require a license).
  • Kirkland: You must live in the home for 245 days a year—investment properties where the owner never lives are prohibited.
Requirements12 rules
  • Kirkland requires liability insurance for STR hosts. Minimum coverage: $1,000,000. Per RCW 64.37.050, operators must maintain $1M liability insurance or ensure the platform provides such coverage.
  • Kirkland: Multifamily units (condos) are subject to city licensing but also must clear specific HOA/building management restrictions.
Application process7 rules
  • How to set up an STR in Kirkland: To host a short-term rental in Kirkland, you must live in the property as your primary residence for at least 8 months of the year. You are required to obtain a city business license, pay an annual fee (typically $230), and designate a local property manager who lives within 15 miles of the home. Unhosted rentals are capped at 120 nights per year, though there is no cap if you are present during the stay.
Fees & costs1 rule
  • Kirkland charges a registration fee of $230 (annual). Extended/additional fee: $50 (A reduced fee of $50 is available if gross annual receipts are less than $20,000).
Taxes2 rules
  • Kirkland charges a King County Convention and Trade Center Tax of 0.028%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and VRBO remit state and local sales/lodging taxes directly.
  • Washington has a state sales tax of 0.065% that applies to STR rentals.
Limits & restrictions4 rules
  • Kirkland limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.
  • Kirkland enforces quiet hours: 10pm-7am.
  • Kirkland limits STRs to 120 nights per year. This applies to unhosted rentals.
  • Kirkland occupancy calculation: Based on fire code and must be posted in the unit. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
Safety requirements1 rule
  • Kirkland requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Floor plan indicating fire exits and escape routes must be posted, Street address of the unit must be posted conspicuously, Property manager available 24/7.
Penalties2 rules
  • Kirkland enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Warning letter. Second offense: Civil infraction / fine. Third offense: Revocation of business license. Permit may be revoked for violations.
  • Kirkland: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
Exemptions3 rules
  • Kirkland: If you are present during the guest's stay (hosted rental), night caps may not apply to you.
  • Kirkland exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays, Bed and breakfasts, Hotels and motels.
  • Kirkland: 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 Kirkland

0/3
steps completed
Step 1

Register with Washington State Department of Revenue

Obtain a Unified Business Identifier (UBI) number by applying for a Washington State Business License through the Department of Revenue.

1 week$50
Documents needed
  • Ownership information
  • Social Security Number or FEIN
Official resource
Step 2

Apply for Kirkland City Business License

Apply for a Kirkland city endorsement on your state business license through the DOR portal or the City's licensing system.

2-4 weeks$230
Documents needed
  • UBI Number
  • Business address
Official resource
Step 3

Complete Short-Term Rental Declaration

Submit the specific STR declaration form required by the City of Kirkland verifying residency and property management compliance.

1 dayFree
Documents needed
  • Property Manager contact info
  • Verification of 245-day residency
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

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