Cross-referenced against 3 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.
The City of Port Townsend strictly regulates short-term rentals via Chapter 17.54 of the Municipal Code, distinguishing between owner-occupied (Type A) and investment (Type B) rentals. Type B rentals are subject to a city-wide cap and currently have a waitlist, while Type A permits are generally available to primary residents.
To host an Airbnb in Port Townsend, you must first determine if you are a 'Type A' host (living on-site) or 'Type B' (entire home/investment). You'll need to apply for a $450 land use permit from the Planning Department and pass a fire safety inspection. All hosts must have a Washington State business license and include their city permit number in their listing title or description. Taxes totaling 11% are usually collected automatically by platforms like Airbnb.
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 Details may be outdated or incomplete.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