Washington State Short-Term Rental (STR) Regulations
Local Rules, HOA Policies & Legal Requirements (2024 Edition)
Statewide Regulations
Definition
A short-term rental is any lodging provided for less than 30 consecutive days
🔗 RCW 64.37 – WA STR Law
Business Licensing
All STR operators must obtain a WA State business license
🔗 DOR Lodging Guide
Tax Obligations
Operators must collect and remit all required taxes (sales, occupancy, lodging, etc.)
Insurance
Primary liability insurance of at least $1 million is required, or must be covered by the platform
🔗 RCW 64.37 – Insurance Requirements
Major City Regulations
Overview: https://www.alltherooms.com/analytics/airbnb-regulations/
King County
Seattle
Business license tax certificate required
Secondary residence STRs must register with the RRIO (Rental Registration and Inspection Ordinance) program
🔗 King County Guide
Kirkland
Owner or “Authorized Agent” must occupy as primary residence at least 245 days/year
Property manager must live within 15 miles
State business license required
Kirkland business license + STR lodging taxes due to state
Bellevue
Airbnb-type lodging not allowed in single-family areas
Permits possible for B&B or boarding house operations
Carol Helland, city policy director: “The city regulates transient lodging.”
Skykomish (Town Only)
STR rules apply only within town limits
🔗 STR Ordinance PDF
Snohomish County
(No specific STR data listed)
Pierce County
(No specific STR data listed)
Whatcom County
Glacier Springs (near Mt. Baker):
No visible regulations — email HOA to confirm:
Carmella Bauman: [email protected]
Kevin Roosma: [email protected]
Snowline
No restrictions
Mt. Baker Ridge
1-year ownership required before renting
RV Parks
Black Mountain Ranch: https://blackmountainranch.us/
The Glen at Maple Falls:
STRs banned
CC&Rs prohibit rentals, subletting, and business activity
Access restricted to members and guests only
Kittitas County
Elk Meadows HOA (Cle Elum)
Rentals shorter than 6 months not allowed
Roslyn
Unoccupied STRs banned in residential zones
Occupied rentals (with owner present) allowed (max 2 rooms)
Urban Overlay zone allows unoccupied STRs with license
🔗 Roslyn STR Article
Island County
Langley
Coupeville
STR restrictions passed
Kitsap County
(No specific STR data listed)
Chelan County
As of Sep 27, 2021, STR regulations finalized
Liability insurance of $1M required
Zoning, occupancy, and operational rules in effect
Permit transfer allowed only once on grandfathered STRs
Resources:
https://leavenworthhomesandland.com/chelan-str-changes/
https://maps.co.chelan.wa.us/GIS/
https://cityofchelan.us/pdfdocs/2020/01/VacationRentalMap.pdf
http://www.realhomes.info/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/ChelanCounty.pdf
https://www.guyevansrealestate.com/blog/where-are-vacation-rentals-allowed-at-lake-chelan
Leavenworth
Rentals under 30 days banned within city limits
Enforcement based on complaints
“Residential Home-Stay” allowed with Special Use Permit
San Juan County
Moratorium on vacation rental permit applications (since Jan 2021, updated Mar 2021)
Applies to Eastsound UGA, Lopez Village UGA, hamlets, activity centers
Grays Harbor County
Lake Quinault
STRs not allowed on leased or tribal land
Jefferson County / Port Townsend
Ocean Grove HOA
STR potential, but review CC&Rs
Sky Meadow Ranch (Hwy 90)
STRs discouraged
Leaseholder notification required per HOA bylaws
Contact: Jeff Myers – [email protected]
Wilderness Rim (North Bend)
(No STR regulations listed)
Mason County
Hartstene Pointe HOA (Shelton)
STRs allowed
County business license required
Airdna estimates: ADR $200–220, 65% occupancy
Steilacoom
STRs completely banned within city limits
🔗 KOMO News
Note: This document includes updated laws, direct links, and unfiltered community notes. Always double-check with local authorities or city websites before operating an STR.
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