What is the TOT tax rate in Port Townsend?

**11% TOT** is the current transient occupancy tax rate for short-term rentals in Port Townsend. Hosts are responsible for collecting this tax from guests and remitting it to the city. It's important to comply with these tax regulations to avoid penalties and ensure legal operation within the city. *(52 words)*

Do I need to live in my property to rent it on Airbnb in Port Townsend?

**Yes**, owner-occupancy impacts the type of short-term rental permit required in Port Townsend. The city distinguishes between owner-occupied (Type A) and investment (Type B) rentals. Type A permits are generally available to primary residents, while Type B permits are subject to a city-wide cap and may have a waitlist. *(55 words)*

Can renters host on Airbnb in Port Townsend?

**No**, tenants are not permitted to host on Airbnb or other short-term rental platforms in Port Townsend. The short-term rental regulations require the property owner to obtain the necessary permits and comply with all requirements. Renters are not authorized to sublet the property as a short-term rental. *(51 words)*

Port Townsend

Q: Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Port Townsend?

**Yes**, a Short-Term Rental Permit is required in Port Townsend. Chapter 17.54 of the Municipal Code regulates STRs, distinguishing between owner-occupied (Type A) and investment (Type B) rentals. Type A permits are generally available for primary residents, whereas Type B permits are subject to a city-wide cap and waitlist. *(54 words)*

Q: Are short-term rentals allowed in Port Townsend?

**Yes**, short-term rentals are allowed in Port Townsend, but they are strictly regulated. The city distinguishes between owner-occupied (Type A) and investment (Type B) rentals. Type B rentals are subject to a city-wide cap and may have a waitlist. Consult Chapter 17.54 of the Municipal Code for specific regulations and requirements. *(53 words)*

Strict

WashingtonUpdated Apr 11, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 3 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Jan 30, 2026Sources 3

Summary

Plain-english overview

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.

Restriction level

Severity 41

Classification

Strict

Severity

Why this classification

Moderate permit fee: $450
Limited to 1 property per owner
Tenants cannot host
Permit required
Reporting required
No night cap
No primary residence requirement

In plain English

What this means for you

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.

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$450

Processing time4-6 weeks

7 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Type B (non-owner occupied) permits are capped and often unavailable due to a waitlist.
2Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) can only be used as STRs if the owner lives in the primary house.
3A life safety inspection is mandatory before the permit is issued.
4Permit numbers must be displayed on every online listing.
5Only one STR permit is allowed per person/entity in the city.
6Quiet hours are strictly enforced between 10 PM and 7 AM.
7Proof of $1M liability insurance specifically for short-term renting is required.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility9 rules

Port Townsend does NOT allow tenants to host STRs. Only property owners may operate short-term rentals.
Port Townsend allows STRs in the following property types: Single-family dwelling, ADU, Duplex.
Port Townsend does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.

Requirements22 rules

Port Townsend requires liability insurance for STR hosts. Minimum coverage: 1,000,000. Evidence of insurance specifically covering STR use must be submitted with permit.
Port Townsend STR warning: Only one STR permit is allowed per person/entity in the city.
Port Townsend STR warning: Proof of $1M liability insurance specifically for short-term renting is required.

Application process11 rules

Port Townsend, WA: To apply for an STR permit, you'll need: Site Plan, Floor Plan, Proof of Liability Insurance, Washington State Business License (UBI), Proof of primary residence (for Type A).
Port Townsend, WA extended permit requirement: Annual renewal fee; $450 is the initial land use application fee.

Fees & costs2 rules

Port Townsend: Proof of $1M liability insurance specifically for short-term renting is required.
Port Townsend charges a registration fee of $450 (annual). Extended/additional fee: $150 (Annual renewal fee; $450 is the initial land use application fee.).

Taxes2 rules

Port Townsend charges a Sales and Lodging Tax of 11%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and VRBO collect and remit the 11% combined sales/lodging tax directly to WA Dept. of Revenue.
Washington has a state sales tax of 6.5% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & restrictions8 rules

Port Townsend limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.
Port Townsend enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM.
Port Townsend, WA: Each person can only register ONE property for short-term rental. You cannot legally operate multiple STRs.

Safety requirements2 rules

Port Townsend: A life safety inspection is mandatory before the permit is issued.
Port Townsend requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Floor plan showing emergency exits must be posted.

Penalties3 rules

Port Townsend, WA: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
Port Townsend enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Warning and request for compliance. Second offense: Civil infraction / Fine. Third offense: Permit revocation. Daily fine: $100 - $500. Permit may be revoked for violations.

Exemptions3 rules

Port Townsend exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days).
Port Townsend: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).

Frequently asked questions

5 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

Port Townsend

Strict

WashingtonUpdated Apr 11, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 3 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Jan 30, 2026Sources 3

Summary

Plain-english overview

Restriction level

Severity 41

Classification

Strict

Severity

Why this classification

Moderate permit fee: $450
Limited to 1 property per owner
Tenants cannot host
Permit required
Reporting required
No night cap
No primary residence requirement

In plain English

What this means for you

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$450

Processing time4-6 weeks

7 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Type B (non-owner occupied) permits are capped and often unavailable due to a waitlist.
2Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) can only be used as STRs if the owner lives in the primary house.
3A life safety inspection is mandatory before the permit is issued.
4Permit numbers must be displayed on every online listing.
5Only one STR permit is allowed per person/entity in the city.
6Quiet hours are strictly enforced between 10 PM and 7 AM.
7Proof of $1M liability insurance specifically for short-term renting is required.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility9 rules

Port Townsend does NOT allow tenants to host STRs. Only property owners may operate short-term rentals.
Port Townsend allows STRs in the following property types: Single-family dwelling, ADU, Duplex.
Port Townsend does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.

Requirements22 rules

Port Townsend requires liability insurance for STR hosts. Minimum coverage: 1,000,000. Evidence of insurance specifically covering STR use must be submitted with permit.
Port Townsend STR warning: Only one STR permit is allowed per person/entity in the city.
Port Townsend STR warning: Proof of $1M liability insurance specifically for short-term renting is required.

Application process11 rules

Port Townsend, WA: To apply for an STR permit, you'll need: Site Plan, Floor Plan, Proof of Liability Insurance, Washington State Business License (UBI), Proof of primary residence (for Type A).
Port Townsend, WA extended permit requirement: Annual renewal fee; $450 is the initial land use application fee.

Fees & costs2 rules

Port Townsend: Proof of $1M liability insurance specifically for short-term renting is required.
Port Townsend charges a registration fee of $450 (annual). Extended/additional fee: $150 (Annual renewal fee; $450 is the initial land use application fee.).

Taxes2 rules

Port Townsend charges a Sales and Lodging Tax of 11%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and VRBO collect and remit the 11% combined sales/lodging tax directly to WA Dept. of Revenue.
Washington has a state sales tax of 6.5% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & restrictions8 rules

Port Townsend limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.
Port Townsend enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM.
Port Townsend, WA: Each person can only register ONE property for short-term rental. You cannot legally operate multiple STRs.

Safety requirements2 rules

Port Townsend: A life safety inspection is mandatory before the permit is issued.
Port Townsend requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Floor plan showing emergency exits must be posted.

Penalties3 rules

Port Townsend, WA: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
Port Townsend enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Warning and request for compliance. Second offense: Civil infraction / Fine. Third offense: Permit revocation. Daily fine: $100 - $500. Permit may be revoked for violations.

Exemptions3 rules

Port Townsend exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days).
Port Townsend: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).

Frequently asked questions

5 answered

Disclaimer

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

7 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

Frequently asked questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Port Townsend?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Port Townsend?

4Do I need to live in my property to rent it on Airbnb in Port Townsend?

5Can renters host on Airbnb in Port Townsend?

Disclaimer

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

7 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

Frequently asked questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Port Townsend?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Port Townsend?

4Do I need to live in my property to rent it on Airbnb in Port Townsend?

5Can renters host on Airbnb in Port Townsend?

Disclaimer