What are the key requirements for Redmond hosts?

Primary residence requirement: You must live in the unit for 245 days per year.

What should Redmond hosts know about new regulations effective jan 1?

New regulations effective Jan 1, 2026, explicitly define business licensing per unit for single-family homes.

What should Redmond hosts know about total tax rate (including king?

Total tax rate (including King County Convention Tax) is very high, roughly 17.4%.

Are there rental limits in Redmond?

Max 3 guests per bedroom limit is stricter than the common 2-per-bedroom standard.

Redmond, WA Short-Term Rental Rules...

Baseline Verification

100%

Basic verification complete

Verified: Feb 12, 2026

Summary

Redmond requires short-term rental operators to obtain both a state and city business license, pass a safety inspection/checklist, and adhere to primary residence requirements.

Restriction Level

⛔

Strict

Score: 81 (lenient)

Why this classification:

•Primary residence required
•Owner-occupied required
•Standard permit fee: $160
•Limited to 1 property per owner
•Tenants cannot host
•Permit required
•Reporting required
•Safety standards required
•No night cap

In Plain English

To host an STR in Redmond, the property must be your primary residence where you live for at least 245 days a year. You must apply for a City of Redmond business license endorsement through the State's licensing portal and submit a signed safety checklist. Hosts must also provide local emergency contact info and post a 'Good Neighbor' guide and tenant rights flyer inside the home.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Yes

Night Limit

None

Primary Residence

Required

Total Tax Rate

0.2%

Permit Fee

$160

Processing Time

2-4 weeks

4 Things Hosts Often Miss

Regulation Details

Eligibility(6)

•Redmond does NOT allow tenants to host STRs. Only property owners may operate short-term rentals.
•Redmond: You can have a co-host or property manager help manage your listing.
•Redmond: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.

Requirements(11)

•Common mistakes and gotchas for STR hosts in Redmond: 1. Primary residence requirement: You must live in the unit for 245 days per year. 2. New regulations effective Jan 1, 2026, explicitly define business licensing per unit for single-family homes. 3. Total tax rate (including King County Convention Tax) is very high, roughly 17.4%. 4. Max 3 guests per bedroom limit is stricter than the common 2-per-bedroom standard.

Application Process(7)

•Step-by-step guide to get an STR permit in Redmond: Step 1: Obtain Washington State Business License - Register for a Unified Business Identifier (UBI) through the WA Dept of Revenue. Documents needed: Business Entity Information. Estimated time: 1 week. Cost: 50. More info: https://dor.wa.gov/open-business/apply-business-license Step 2: Apply for Redmond City Endorsement - Add the City of Redmond business license endorsement to your state license via the BLS portal. Documents needed: UBI Number. Estimated time: 2 weeks. Cost: 160. More info: https://dor.wa.gov Step 3: Submit Supplemental Materials - Provide the Redmond STR Safety Checklist and proof of Tenant Rights posting to the City Development Services Center. Documents needed: Signed Safety Checklist, Floor Plan, Proof of Insurance. Estimated time: 1 week. More info: https://www.redmond.gov/2034/Short-Term-Rentals

Fees & Costs(1)

•Redmond charges a registration fee of $160 (annual).

Taxes(3)

•Redmond charges a Local Retail Sales Tax of 0.039%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and VRBO collect and remit state and local sales tax in Washington.
•Redmond: Total tax rate (including King County Convention Tax) is very high, roughly 17.4%.
•Washington has a state sales tax of 0.065% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & Restrictions(6)

•Redmond: Each person can only register ONE property for short-term rental. You cannot legally operate multiple STRs.
•Redmond occupancy calculation: Maximum of 3 guests per bedroom (above age 3).. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
•Redmond limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.
•Redmond: Max 3 guests per bedroom limit is stricter than the common 2-per-bedroom standard.

Safety Requirements(1)

•Redmond requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Short-Term Rental Safety Checklist (Self-Certification), Emergency lighting (battery backup) in corridors, Egress windows must meet minimum size requirements (5.7 sq ft), Gas detectors required in rooms with gas appliances, Floor plan indicating fire exits must be posted.

Penalties(3)

•Redmond: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
•Redmond: New regulations effective Jan 1, 2026, explicitly define business licensing per unit for single-family homes.

Exemptions(2)

•Redmond exempts the following from STR regulations: hosted rentals (where host is present), long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays, Owner-occupied units where fewer than 3 rooms are rented are exempt from the STR definition per RCW 64.37., Hotels/Motels, Bed and Breakfasts.

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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

Redmond

Baseline Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

4 Things Hosts Often Miss

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Regulation Details

Eligibility(6)

Requirements(11)

Application Process(7)

Fees & Costs(1)

Taxes(3)

Limits & Restrictions(6)

Safety Requirements(1)

Penalties(3)

Exemptions(2)

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Step-by-Step Application Guide

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Frequently Asked Questions

Related Content

Other Washington Markets

Lake Chelan

Ocean Shores

Anacortes

Walla Walla

Redmond

Baseline Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

4 Things Hosts Often Miss

Step-by-Step Application Guide

Upgrade to Pro

Frequently Asked Questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Redmond?

3Are there residency requirements for hosts in Redmond?

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

Related Content

Other Washington Markets

Lake Chelan

Ocean Shores

Anacortes

Walla Walla