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

Strict

WashingtonUpdated Mar 20, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

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

Verified Feb 12, 2026Sources 0

Summary

Plain-english overview

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

Severity 81

Classification

Strict

Severity

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

What this means for you

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

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceRequired

Total tax rate0.2%

Permit fee$160

Processing time2-4 weeks

4 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

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

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility6 rules

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.

Requirements11 rules

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 process7 rules

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 & costs1 rule

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

Taxes3 rules

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 & restrictions6 rules

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 requirements1 rule

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.

Penalties3 rules

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.

Exemptions2 rules

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.

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Redmond

0/3

steps completed

Step 1

Obtain Washington State Business License

1 week$50

Documents needed

Business Entity Information

Official resource

Step 2

Apply for Redmond City Endorsement

Add the City of Redmond business license endorsement to your state license via the BLS portal.

2 weeks$160

Documents needed

UBI Number

Official resource

Step 3

Submit Supplemental Materials

Provide the Redmond STR Safety Checklist and proof of Tenant Rights posting to the City Development Services Center.

1 weekFree

Documents needed

Signed Safety Checklist
Floor Plan
Proof of Insurance

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

Redmond

Strict

WashingtonUpdated Mar 20, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

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

Verified Feb 12, 2026Sources 0

Summary

Plain-english overview

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

Severity 81

Classification

Strict

Severity

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

What this means for you

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceRequired

Total tax rate0.2%

Permit fee$160

Processing time2-4 weeks

4 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

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

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility6 rules

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.

Requirements11 rules

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 process7 rules

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 & costs1 rule

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

Taxes3 rules

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 & restrictions6 rules

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 requirements1 rule

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.

Penalties3 rules

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.

Exemptions2 rules

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.

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Redmond

0/3

steps completed

Step 1

Obtain Washington State Business License

1 week$50

Documents needed

Business Entity Information

Official resource

Step 2

Apply for Redmond City Endorsement

Add the City of Redmond business license endorsement to your state license via the BLS portal.

2 weeks$160

Documents needed

UBI Number

Official resource

Step 3

Submit Supplemental Materials

Provide the Redmond STR Safety Checklist and proof of Tenant Rights posting to the City Development Services Center.

1 weekFree

Documents needed

Signed Safety Checklist
Floor Plan
Proof of Insurance

Official resource

Frequently asked questions

4 answered

Disclaimer

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

4 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

Obtain Washington State Business License

Apply for Redmond City Endorsement

Submit Supplemental Materials

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?

Disclaimer

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

4 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

Obtain Washington State Business License

Apply for Redmond City Endorsement

Submit Supplemental Materials

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?

Disclaimer