UNDERSTANDING STR RULES IN KITTITAS COUNTY

(Cle Elum, Roslyn, Ellensburg & Unincorporated Areas)

Thinking about running a short-term rental (STR) in Kittitas County? This region—home to Suncadia, Roslyn, Cle Elum, and some of Washington’s most popular outdoor attractions has become a hotspot for vacation rentals.

But rules vary a lot depending on whether your property sits in:

• Unincorporated Kittitas County

• City of Cle Elum

• City of Roslyn

• City of Ellensburg

This guide breaks down exactly what you need to know to stay compliant and avoid penalties.

FIRST THINGS FIRST: STATE-WIDE REQUIREMENTS

These rules apply to every short-term rental in Washington State:

Minimum Liability Insurance

✔ $1 million coverage requirement

Maximum Stay Definition

✔ Stays under 30 days qualify as short-term rentals

Business License (UBI)

✔ A Washington State Business License is required for all STR operators

QUICK LOOK: AREAS & THEIR STR APPROACH

DEEP DIVE: UNINCORPORATED KITTITAS COUNTY

(Suncadia, Teanaway, Ronald, Thorp, Snoqualmie Pass, Easton, etc.)

Kittitas County adopted a formal STR ordinance (KCC 5.06) that applies to all unincorporated areas.
Here’s what you must follow:

1. STR Permit Required

All STRs must register with the county and renew annually.

You must provide:

• Local contact person available 24/7 within 1 hour

• Proof of $1M liability insurance

• Floor plan, site plan & parking plan

• Septic system documentation (if applicable)

2. Three STR Types

Kittitas County defines STRs as:

Type 1 – Owner-Occupied (Hosted) - Rooms or part of home.

Type 2 – Whole-Home STR - Owner does not live on site.

Type 3 – Large STRs / Lodging-Style - Higher scrutiny & review.

3. Occupancy Limits

County uses the following rules:

Occupancy = 2 guests per bedroom + 2 additional guests

Must also comply with septic capacity limits.

Example: 3-bedroom home → 8 guests max

4. Parking Requirements

1 space per bedroom, plus
Parking must be onsite no street parking allowed unless approved.

5. Fire & Safety Requirements

All STRs must include:

• Smoke alarms

• CO detectors

• Fire extinguisher

• Emergency egress in bedrooms

• No blocked exits

• Visible address numbers

6. Neighbor Notification

Before operating an STR, you must notify:

✔ All neighbors within 300 feet
✔ Include YOUR 24/7 local contact phone number

7. Taxes

• County lodging tax applies

• State sales tax still applies

• No County B&O tax

DEEP DIVE: CITY OF CLE ELUM

Cle Elum is STR-friendly but requires compliance with zoning, permits, and annual registration.

What’s Required?

✔ City Business License
✔ STR Registration
✔ Safety inspection
✔ Adherence to zoning (many STRs allowed only in R-1, R-2, R-3 zones)

Taxes

• 2% lodging tax

• No city B&O

DEEP DIVE: CITY OF ROSLYN

(The Strictest Rules in Upper Kittitas County)

Roslyn enforces one of Washington’s tightest STR caps.

Key Rules

✔ Limit on total STR permits in city limits
✔ Permit waitlist may apply
✔ Annual STR license required
✔ Parking plan required
✔ Local contact required within 1 hour

Taxes

• 2% Lodging Tax

• No City B&O

If you're buying in Roslyn, check current cap availability before assuming STR use is allowed.

DEEP DIVE: CITY OF ELLENSBURG

Ellensburg allows STRs but enforces a hosted vs. unhosted distinction.

Hosted STR (Primary Residence)

✔ Allowed in most zones
✔ Registration required

Unhosted STR (Entire Home)

✔ Limited zones
✔ May require Conditional Use Permit

Taxes

• 2% Lodging Tax

• City B&O tax applies if revenue exceeds threshold

YOUR KITTITAS COUNTY COMPLIANCE CHECKLIST

1. WA State UBI

Get your Washington business license.

2. Local License or STR Permit

County or city—you must register depending on location.

3. Zoning Review

Check permitted zones (especially Cle Elum, Roslyn, and Ellensburg).

4. Health & Fire Safety

Complete safety inspection requirements.

5. Neighbor Notification

(County-only, not required in all cities.)

6. Pay Taxes

Sales tax + lodging tax + B&O (Ellensburg only).