What should Winthrop hosts know about hard cap on permits: 10%?

Hard cap on permits: 10% of total housing units (approx. 45 permits total).

What should Winthrop hosts know about permits are not transferable to?

Permits are NOT transferable to new owners upon property sale.

What should Winthrop hosts know about non-renewed permits are deemed abandoned?

Non-renewed permits are deemed abandoned after 30 days and the spot is given to the waitlist.

What are the key requirements for Winthrop hosts?

Owner-occupied rentals must have the owner living on-site during guest stays.

Winthrop

Prohibited

WashingtonUpdated Apr 6, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

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

Verified Feb 6, 2026Sources 0

Summary

Plain-english overview

Winthrop strictly regulates short-term 'Overnight Rentals' through a permit cap, specific zoning requirements, and mandatory business licensing.

Restriction level

Severity 100

Classification

Prohibited

100

Severity

Why this classification

Banned in all/most residential zones
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 operate a short-term rental in Winthrop, you must obtain an Overnight Rental Permit and a town business license endorsement. There is a cap on the total number of permits available (10% of housing units), and permits do not transfer to new owners if the property is sold. You must also provide at least one on-site parking space per bedroom and adhere to occupancy limits.

At a glance

Key numbers

Permit requiredYes

Night limitNone

Primary residenceNot required

Total tax rate0.1%

Permit fee$60

Processing time2-4 weeks

4 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Hard cap on permits: 10% of total housing units (approx. 45 permits total).
2Permits are NOT transferable to new owners upon property sale.
3Non-renewed permits are deemed abandoned after 30 days and the spot is given to the waitlist.
4Owner-occupied rentals must have the owner living on-site during guest stays.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility7 rules

Winthrop prohibits STRs in the following property types: RV, Travel Trailer, Tiny Homes (unless on permanent foundation), ADU (outside Overlay Zone).
Winthrop does NOT allow tenants to host STRs. Only property owners may operate short-term rentals.
Winthrop does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.

Requirements13 rules

Winthrop: You must display your permit/registration number on your Airbnb listing.
Winthrop requires liability insurance for STR hosts. Minimum coverage: $1,000,000. State law RCW 64.37.050 requires $1M aggregate liability insurance.
Winthrop STR warning: Owner-occupied rentals must have the owner living on-site during guest stays.

Application process8 rules

Winthrop: To apply for an STR permit, you'll need: Unified Business Identifier (UBI), Town Business License, Floor Plan showing fire exits, Site Plan showing parking, Proof of Insurance, Garbage Disposal Plan.

Fees & costs1 rule

Winthrop charges a registration fee of $60 (annual).

Taxes2 rules

Washington has a state sales tax of 0.065% that applies to STR rentals.
Winthrop charges a Lodging Tax (Basic and Special) of 0.05%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and VRBO remit state sales and local lodging taxes in Washington.

Limits & restrictions6 rules

Winthrop enforces quiet hours: 10pm-7am.
Winthrop limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.
Winthrop: Each person can only register ONE property for short-term rental. You cannot legally operate multiple STRs.
Winthrop: Hard cap on permits: 10% of total housing units (approx. 45 permits total).
Winthrop limits STRs to a maximum of 12 guests. Formula: 2 per bedroom plus 3 additional guests

Safety requirements1 rule

Winthrop 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, Visible street address, Sign listing max occupants and vehicles, Solid waste removal plan.

Penalties2 rules

Winthrop: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
Winthrop enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Up to $1000. Second offense: Up to $1000. Third offense: Up to $1000. Daily fine: Each day of continued use constitutes a separate violation. Permit may be revoked for violations.

Exemptions3 rules

Winthrop exempts the following from STR regulations: hosted rentals (where host is present), long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays, Bed and breakfasts, Hotels, Owner-occupied rentals (exempt from the cap only).
Winthrop: 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 Winthrop

0/4

steps completed

Step 1

Register for Washington State Business License

Obtain a Unified Business Identifier (UBI) through the Department of Revenue.

1 week$90

Official resource

Step 2

Apply for Town Business License Endorsement

Add the Winthrop city endorsement to your state business license.

1-2 weeks$60

Documents needed

UBI Number

Official resource

Step 3

Submit Overnight Rental Permit Application

Submit form to the Town Planning Department with site and floor plans.

4 weeksFree

Documents needed

Floor plan
Parking plan
Proof of insurance
Garbage plan

Official resource

Step 4

Complete Inspection

An annual inspection is required to ensure compliance with safety and capacity standards.

1 weekFree

Frequently asked questions

1 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

Winthrop

Prohibited

WashingtonUpdated Apr 6, 2026

Gold-standard verification1% sourced

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

Verified Feb 6, 2026Sources 0

Summary

Plain-english overview

Winthrop strictly regulates short-term 'Overnight Rentals' through a permit cap, specific zoning requirements, and mandatory business licensing.

Restriction level

Severity 100

Classification

Prohibited

100

Severity

Why this classification

Banned in all/most residential zones
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$60

Processing time2-4 weeks

4 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps

1Hard cap on permits: 10% of total housing units (approx. 45 permits total).
2Permits are NOT transferable to new owners upon property sale.
3Non-renewed permits are deemed abandoned after 30 days and the spot is given to the waitlist.
4Owner-occupied rentals must have the owner living on-site during guest stays.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code

Eligibility7 rules

Winthrop prohibits STRs in the following property types: RV, Travel Trailer, Tiny Homes (unless on permanent foundation), ADU (outside Overlay Zone).
Winthrop does NOT allow tenants to host STRs. Only property owners may operate short-term rentals.
Winthrop does NOT require the property to be a primary residence. Investment properties are allowed.

Requirements13 rules

Winthrop: You must display your permit/registration number on your Airbnb listing.
Winthrop requires liability insurance for STR hosts. Minimum coverage: $1,000,000. State law RCW 64.37.050 requires $1M aggregate liability insurance.
Winthrop STR warning: Owner-occupied rentals must have the owner living on-site during guest stays.

Application process8 rules

Winthrop: To apply for an STR permit, you'll need: Unified Business Identifier (UBI), Town Business License, Floor Plan showing fire exits, Site Plan showing parking, Proof of Insurance, Garbage Disposal Plan.

Fees & costs1 rule

Winthrop charges a registration fee of $60 (annual).

Taxes2 rules

Washington has a state sales tax of 0.065% that applies to STR rentals.
Winthrop charges a Lodging Tax (Basic and Special) of 0.05%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and VRBO remit state sales and local lodging taxes in Washington.

Limits & restrictions6 rules

Winthrop enforces quiet hours: 10pm-7am.
Winthrop limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.
Winthrop: Each person can only register ONE property for short-term rental. You cannot legally operate multiple STRs.
Winthrop: Hard cap on permits: 10% of total housing units (approx. 45 permits total).
Winthrop limits STRs to a maximum of 12 guests. Formula: 2 per bedroom plus 3 additional guests

Safety requirements1 rule

Winthrop 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, Visible street address, Sign listing max occupants and vehicles, Solid waste removal plan.

Penalties2 rules

Winthrop: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
Winthrop enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Up to $1000. Second offense: Up to $1000. Third offense: Up to $1000. Daily fine: Each day of continued use constitutes a separate violation. Permit may be revoked for violations.

Exemptions3 rules

Winthrop exempts the following from STR regulations: hosted rentals (where host is present), long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays, Bed and breakfasts, Hotels, Owner-occupied rentals (exempt from the cap only).
Winthrop: 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 Winthrop

0/4

steps completed

Step 1

Register for Washington State Business License

Obtain a Unified Business Identifier (UBI) through the Department of Revenue.

1 week$90

Official resource

Step 2

Apply for Town Business License Endorsement

Add the Winthrop city endorsement to your state business license.

1-2 weeks$60

Documents needed

UBI Number

Official resource

Step 3

Submit Overnight Rental Permit Application

Submit form to the Town Planning Department with site and floor plans.

4 weeksFree

Documents needed

Floor plan
Parking plan
Proof of insurance
Garbage plan

Official resource

Step 4

Complete Inspection

An annual inspection is required to ensure compliance with safety and capacity standards.

1 weekFree

Frequently asked questions

1 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

Register for Washington State Business License

Apply for Town Business License Endorsement

Submit Overnight Rental Permit Application

Complete Inspection

Frequently asked questions

1Do I need a permit in Winthrop?

Disclaimer

Summary

Restriction level

Why this classification

In plain English

At a glance

4 things hosts often miss

Regulation details

How to get permitted

Register for Washington State Business License

Apply for Town Business License Endorsement

Submit Overnight Rental Permit Application

Complete Inspection

Frequently asked questions

1Do I need a permit in Winthrop?

Disclaimer