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

**Yes**, Walla Walla requires a Short-Term Rental Permit under Title 20.170. You need to apply for this permit, which costs $400, and also obtain a city business license. A safety inspection is also required before you can legally operate your short-term rental. (51 words)

What is the TOT tax rate in Walla Walla?

**4% TOT** is the transient occupancy tax rate for short-term rentals in Walla Walla. Hosts are responsible for collecting this tax from guests and remitting it to the city. Be sure to register your business and comply with all local tax regulations. Check with the city's finance department for details. (53 words)

Are short-term rentals allowed in Walla Walla?

**Yes**, short-term rentals are allowed in Walla Walla, but with restrictions. The city distinguishes between owner-occupied (Type I) and non-owner occupied (Type II) rentals. Only one non-owner occupied rental is allowed per block face. Ensure your property complies with these density limits before operating. (51 words)

How much does an STR permit cost in Walla Walla?

**The STR permit costs $400** in Walla Walla. You need to apply for this permit to legally operate your short-term rental. In addition to the permit fee, you must also obtain a city business license and pass a safety inspection. Make sure to factor these costs into your budget. (52 words)

Can renters host on Airbnb in Walla Walla?

**The regulations do not specify** whether renters can host on Airbnb in Walla Walla. The ordinance focuses on owner-occupied versus non-owner occupied rentals, but does not explicitly prohibit renters from hosting. You should contact the Walla Walla planning department to confirm whether renters are allowed to host. (53 words)

Walla Walla

Strict

STRs Allowed

WashingtonLast updated: February 10, 2026

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Summary

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.

Restriction Level

⛔

Strict

Score: 41 (moderate)

Why this classification:

•Moderate permit fee: $400
•Limited to 1 property per owner
•Tenants cannot host
•Permit required
•Reporting required
•No night cap
•No primary residence requirement

In Plain English

To host an Airbnb in the City of Walla Walla, you must first determine if your property is eligible based on local density caps, as only one non-owner occupied rental is allowed per block. You will need to apply for a $400 short-term rental permit, obtain a city business license, and pass a safety inspection. Once permitted, you are required to pay a 4% lodging tax and follow occupancy limits based on your number of bedrooms. Remember that ADUs (like basement apartments) built after 2018 cannot be used as short-term rentals.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Yes

Night Limit

None

Primary Residence

Not Required

Total Tax Rate

0.1%

Permit Fee

$400

Processing Time

30-45 days

6 Things Hosts Often Miss

1.Non-owner occupied units (Type II) are capped at 1 per block face; if your neighbor already has one, you will likely be denied.
2.ADUs created after the 2018 ordinance was adopted are generally prohibited from being used as STRs.
3.A safety inspection by the City is mandatory before the permit is issued.
4.A 2% Tourism Promotion Area (TPA) fee may apply in addition to the 4% Lodging Tax depending on location.
5.Owners are limited to only ONE short-term rental permit city-wide.
6.Verify you are within City Limits; Walla Walla County unincorporated areas have entirely different rules.

Regulation Details

Eligibility(9)

•Walla Walla: New non-owner occupied rentals (Type 2) are completely prohibited in city limits.
•Walla Walla: Your HOA can prohibit short-term rentals even if the city allows them. Check your CC&Rs before applying.
•Walla Walla does NOT allow tenants to host STRs. Only property owners may operate short-term rentals.

Requirements(15)

•Walla Walla requires STR registration. The permit is called "Short-Term Rental Permit and License". Apply through Development Services Department. Processing time: 28 days for completeness review. Renewal is required.
•Walla Walla: A fire inspection may be required before you can operate. Schedule early as this can delay your start date.

Application Process(8)

•Walla Walla STR permit - Step 2: Obtain State Business License. Apply for a Washington State Business License with the Department of Revenue. Time: 10-15 days. Cost: 90.
•Walla Walla STR permit - Step 4: Safety Inspection. Pass a fire and life safety inspection to ensure compliance with building codes. Time: 7-14 days.

Fees & Costs(1)

•Walla Walla charges a registration fee of $150 (annual).

Taxes(2)

•Walla Walla charges a Local Lodging Tax of 4%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and VRBO generally collect state and local lodging taxes in WA; however, owners are responsible for ensuring B&O taxes are remitted.
•Washington has a state sales tax of 6.5% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & Restrictions(7)

•Walla Walla: The 90-day annual cap applies to whole-home rentals even if it's your primary residence.
•Walla Walla: Each person can only register ONE property for short-term rental. You cannot legally operate multiple STRs.
•Walla Walla limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.

Safety Requirements(1)

•Walla Walla requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Floor plan indicating fire exits, Street address must be posted inside unit.

Penalties(4)

•Walla Walla: You must respond to nuisance complaints within a timeframe required by the police or face heavy fines ($750).
•Walla Walla enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: No charge (warning). Second offense: $750 fine. Third offense: $750 fine. Permit may be revoked for violations.
•Walla Walla: Permits are revoked after the fourth violation in a single year.

Exemptions(3)

•Walla Walla exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays.
•Walla Walla: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
•Walla Walla: If you are present during the guest's stay (hosted rental), night caps may not apply to you.

0.1% total tax

Walla Walla

Gold Standard Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

6 Things Hosts Often Miss

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Regulation Details

Eligibility(9)

Requirements(15)

Application Process(8)

Fees & Costs(1)

Taxes(2)

Limits & Restrictions(7)

Safety Requirements(1)

Penalties(4)

Exemptions(3)

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Walla Walla

Gold Standard Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

6 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 Walla Walla?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Walla Walla?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Walla Walla?

4How much does an STR permit cost in Walla Walla?

5Can renters host on Airbnb in Walla Walla?

Related Content

Other Washington Markets

Ocean Shores

Anacortes

Sequim

Lake Chelan