| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| Regulatory Status | Proposed / pending |
| Permit / License Required | Yes — unchanged; DLCP short-term or vacation rental license endorsement required. |
| Night / Day Cap | Unchanged — 90 nights/year for unhosted vacation rentals; 30 consecutive nights max per stay. |
| Penalties | Current: standard DLCP enforcement applies. Proposed Illegal Occupancy Act: unlawful occupancy by overstaying guest is a misdemeanor (up to 180 days i |
Short-term rental regulations in Washington, District of Columbia are currently under development or pending approval as of 2026. Hosts operating on Airbnb, VRBO, or other vacation rental platforms must obtain proper licensing: Yes — unchanged; DLCP short-term or vacation rental license endorsement required..
Key operational rules for vacation rental hosts in Washington include: Rental day cap: Unchanged — 90 nights/year for unhosted vacation rentals; 30 consecutive nights max per stay..
Hosts who fail to comply with Washington's short-term rental regulations may face enforcement action. Current: standard DLCP enforcement applies. Proposed Illegal Occupancy Act: unlawful occupancy by overstaying guest is a misdemeanor (up to 180 days imprisonment plus fine)..
Apply for your STR permit or registration directly through the official government portal.
Official Source ↗Short-term rental regulations in Washington are currently under development. Rules may change as legislation is finalized. Two open bills now affect DC STR operators. The March 2026 STR Regulation Amendment Act would expand hosting to renters, create a special-event license, and allow a second-property license. The July 1
Yes. Washington requires the following for short-term rental operation: Yes — unchanged; DLCP short-term or vacation rental license endorsement required..
Hosts who operate without proper permits in Washington may face enforcement. Current: standard DLCP enforcement applies. Proposed Illegal Occupancy Act: unlawful occupancy by overstaying guest is a misdemeanor (up to 180 days imprisonment plus fine)..
Two simultaneous STR bills pending in DC Council. Current rules (90-night/year cap, primary residence, DLCP license display on listings) remain unchanged. The Illegal Occupancy bill, if passed, would give hosts a legal tool to remove guests who refuse to leave after their stay ends. The March Amendment Act, if passed, would open hosting to the city's ~185,000 renter households for the first time.
LawfulStay tracks STR regulations across 1,026+ cities & countries on 6 continents, updated daily.
View in Full Database →