What should Spokane hosts know about total guest tax is 13.1%?

Total guest tax is 13.1%, significantly higher than standard sales tax.

What should Spokane hosts know about only one str unit is?

Only one STR unit is allowed per single-family lot (cannot do both house and ADU simultaneously unless owner-occupied).

What zoning rules apply to STRs in Spokane?

Neighbor notification is strictly required for residential zone permits.

What should Spokane hosts know about multifamily buildings have a hard?

Multifamily buildings have a hard cap of 20% to 30% on the number of units that can be STRs.

What are the key requirements for Spokane hosts?

Permit number must be displayed in all online advertisements.

Spokane

Strict

WashingtonUpdated Mar 24, 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

Short-term rentals (STRs) in Spokane require a specific administrative permit, a city-endorsed state business license, and annual safety certification.

Restriction level

Severity 66

Classification

Strict

Severity

Why this classification

Primary residence required
Owner-occupied required
Standard permit fee: $200
Limited to 1 property per owner
Permit required
Reporting required
Safety standards required
No night cap
Tenants can host

In plain English

What this means for you

To host a short-term rental in Spokane, you must apply for a city permit and a state business license. You are generally limited to one rental per property (like a single house or ADU), and you must pass a fire safety inspection and notify your neighbors if you are in a residential zone. The combined tax rate for guests is 13.1%, which includes state and local sales and lodging taxes.

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceRequired

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$200

Processing time30 days

5 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Total guest tax is 13.1%, significantly higher than standard sales tax.
2Only one STR unit is allowed per single-family lot (cannot do both house and ADU simultaneously unless owner-occupied).
3Neighbor notification is strictly required for residential zone permits.
4Multifamily buildings have a hard cap of 20% to 30% on the number of units that can be STRs.
5Permit number must be displayed in all online advertisements.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility8 rules

Spokane: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
Spokane limits hosts to a maximum of 1 STR properties per owner.
Spokane: Only one STR unit is allowed per single-family lot (cannot do both house and ADU simultaneously unless owner-occupied).

Requirements14 rules

Common mistakes and gotchas for STR hosts in Spokane: 1. Total guest tax is 13.1%, significantly higher than standard sales tax. 2. Only one STR unit is allowed per single-family lot (cannot do both house and ADU simultaneously unless owner-occupied). 3. Neighbor notification is strictly required for residential zone permits. 4. Multifamily buildings have a hard cap of 20% to 30% on the number of units that can be STRs. 5. Permit number must be displayed in all online advertisements.

Application process9 rules

Spokane STR permit - Step 3: Complete Notarized Safety Form. Fill out the Annual Life Safety Compliance Form and have it notarized to certify smoke/CO detectors and extinguishers are present. Required documents: Life Safety Compliance Form. Time: 1-2 days. Cost: 15.

Fees & costs1 rule

Spokane charges a registration fee of $200 (annual). Extended/additional fee: $300 ($200 for residential zones ($100 renewal); $300 for other zones ($150 renewal)).

Taxes3 rules

Spokane charges a Combined Lodging and Sales Tax of 0.131%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and VRBO remit most taxes, but hosts must still register with WA DOR and file lodging tax returns.
Washington has a state sales tax of 0.065% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & restrictions6 rules

Spokane: Each person can only register ONE property for short-term rental. You cannot legally operate multiple STRs.
Spokane enforces quiet hours: 10pm-7am.
Spokane limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.
Spokane limits STRs to a maximum of 12 guests. Formula: 2 per bedroom + 2 additional guests

Safety requirements1 rule

Spokane requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Notarized Life Safety Compliance form, Fire safety plan showing ingress/egress, Property must have adequate on-site parking.

Penalties2 rules

Spokane enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Warning and 30-day grace period to comply. Second offense: Civil infraction fine. Third offense: Permit revocation. Permit may be revoked for violations.
Spokane: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions2 rules

Spokane exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays, Bed and Breakfast facilities established prior to current rules.
Spokane: 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 Spokane

0/5

steps completed

Step 1

Obtain Washington Business License

2-3 weeks$50

Documents needed

Unified Business Identifier (UBI)

Official resource

Step 2

Prepare Safety and Site Documents

Create a floor plan with room labels, a fire safety plan, and a site plan showing required on-site parking.

1 weekFree

Documents needed

Floor Plan
Site Plan
Fire Safety Plan

Step 3

Complete Notarized Safety Form

Fill out the Annual Life Safety Compliance Form and have it notarized to certify smoke/CO detectors and extinguishers are present.

1-2 days$15

Documents needed

Life Safety Compliance Form

Official resource

Step 4

Submit Permit Application via Accela

Apply through the Spokane Accela Citizen Access portal and pay the initial application fee ($200 or $300).

2-4 weeks$200

Documents needed

Business License
Liability Insurance
All site/floor plans

Official resource

Step 5

Mailing Neighbor Notifications

Upon permit issuance for residential zones, mail a notification letter to all abutting property owners and those directly across the street.

1-2 days$20

Documents needed

Notification Letter template

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

Spokane

Strict

WashingtonUpdated Mar 24, 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

Short-term rentals (STRs) in Spokane require a specific administrative permit, a city-endorsed state business license, and annual safety certification.

Restriction level

Severity 66

Classification

Strict

Severity

Why this classification

Primary residence required
Owner-occupied required
Standard permit fee: $200
Limited to 1 property per owner
Permit required
Reporting required
Safety standards required
No night cap
Tenants can host

In plain English

What this means for you

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceRequired

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$200

Processing time30 days

5 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Total guest tax is 13.1%, significantly higher than standard sales tax.
2Only one STR unit is allowed per single-family lot (cannot do both house and ADU simultaneously unless owner-occupied).
3Neighbor notification is strictly required for residential zone permits.
4Multifamily buildings have a hard cap of 20% to 30% on the number of units that can be STRs.
5Permit number must be displayed in all online advertisements.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility8 rules

Spokane: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
Spokane limits hosts to a maximum of 1 STR properties per owner.
Spokane: Only one STR unit is allowed per single-family lot (cannot do both house and ADU simultaneously unless owner-occupied).

Requirements14 rules

Common mistakes and gotchas for STR hosts in Spokane: 1. Total guest tax is 13.1%, significantly higher than standard sales tax. 2. Only one STR unit is allowed per single-family lot (cannot do both house and ADU simultaneously unless owner-occupied). 3. Neighbor notification is strictly required for residential zone permits. 4. Multifamily buildings have a hard cap of 20% to 30% on the number of units that can be STRs. 5. Permit number must be displayed in all online advertisements.

Application process9 rules

Spokane STR permit - Step 3: Complete Notarized Safety Form. Fill out the Annual Life Safety Compliance Form and have it notarized to certify smoke/CO detectors and extinguishers are present. Required documents: Life Safety Compliance Form. Time: 1-2 days. Cost: 15.

Fees & costs1 rule

Spokane charges a registration fee of $200 (annual). Extended/additional fee: $300 ($200 for residential zones ($100 renewal); $300 for other zones ($150 renewal)).

Taxes3 rules

Spokane charges a Combined Lodging and Sales Tax of 0.131%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and VRBO remit most taxes, but hosts must still register with WA DOR and file lodging tax returns.
Washington has a state sales tax of 0.065% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & restrictions6 rules

Spokane: Each person can only register ONE property for short-term rental. You cannot legally operate multiple STRs.
Spokane enforces quiet hours: 10pm-7am.
Spokane limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.
Spokane limits STRs to a maximum of 12 guests. Formula: 2 per bedroom + 2 additional guests

Safety requirements1 rule

Spokane requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Notarized Life Safety Compliance form, Fire safety plan showing ingress/egress, Property must have adequate on-site parking.

Penalties2 rules

Spokane enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Warning and 30-day grace period to comply. Second offense: Civil infraction fine. Third offense: Permit revocation. Permit may be revoked for violations.
Spokane: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions2 rules

Spokane exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays, Bed and Breakfast facilities established prior to current rules.
Spokane: 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 Spokane

0/5

steps completed

Step 1

Obtain Washington Business License

2-3 weeks$50

Documents needed

Unified Business Identifier (UBI)

Official resource

Step 2

Prepare Safety and Site Documents

Create a floor plan with room labels, a fire safety plan, and a site plan showing required on-site parking.

1 weekFree

Documents needed

Floor Plan
Site Plan
Fire Safety Plan

Step 3

Complete Notarized Safety Form

Fill out the Annual Life Safety Compliance Form and have it notarized to certify smoke/CO detectors and extinguishers are present.

1-2 days$15

Documents needed

Life Safety Compliance Form

Official resource

Step 4

Submit Permit Application via Accela

Apply through the Spokane Accela Citizen Access portal and pay the initial application fee ($200 or $300).

2-4 weeks$200

Documents needed

Business License
Liability Insurance
All site/floor plans

Official resource

Step 5

Mailing Neighbor Notifications

Upon permit issuance for residential zones, mail a notification letter to all abutting property owners and those directly across the street.

1-2 days$20

Documents needed

Notification Letter template

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

5 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

Obtain Washington Business License

Prepare Safety and Site Documents

Complete Notarized Safety Form

Submit Permit Application via Accela

Mailing Neighbor Notifications

Frequently asked questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Spokane?

3Are there rental night limits in Spokane?

4What are the safety requirements for Spokane rentals?

Disclaimer

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

5 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

Obtain Washington Business License

Prepare Safety and Site Documents

Complete Notarized Safety Form

Submit Permit Application via Accela

Mailing Neighbor Notifications

Frequently asked questions

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

2What is the TOT tax rate in Spokane?

3Are there rental night limits in Spokane?

4What are the safety requirements for Spokane rentals?

Disclaimer