| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| Regulatory Status | Permitted with registration |
| Permit / License Required | Yes |
| Tax Rate | Washington State sales/lodging tax applies; Chelan County and City of Chelan local lodging tax also applies. Airbnb and Vrbo collect and remit WA stat |
| Night / Day Cap | Tier 1 (Chelan County unincorporated): maximum 15 days per calendar year for owner-occupied rentals. City of Chelan: no hard annual day cap codified i |
| Minimum Stay | Less than 30 days constitutes an STR (no minimum stay imposed; rentals ≥30 days are long-term and exempt). |
| Permit Fee | City of Chelan: STR license fee set per Ordinance 2019-1570 (consult city for current fee schedule). Chelan County (unincorporated): Tiered permit sys |
| Penalties | Chelan County: failure to comply with noise, garbage, parking, and occupancy standards can result in complaints, permit revocation, and fines. Specifi |
| Occupancy Limit | Tiered by occupancy capacity under Chelan County Code 11.88.290; specific occupant limits set per tier. City of Chelan Ordinance 2019-1570 sets occupa |
Short-term rental operations in Chelan, Washington are permitted under an active regulatory framework as of 2026. Hosts operating on Airbnb, VRBO, or other vacation rental platforms must obtain proper licensing: Yes. The associated permit fees are City of Chelan: STR license fee set per Ordinance 2019-1570 (consult city for current fee schedule)..
Short-term rental operators in Chelan should be aware of these tax obligations: Washington State sales/lodging tax applies; Chelan County and City of Chelan local lodging tax also applies. Airbnb and Vrbo collect and remit WA state and local lodging taxes on behalf of hosts, but hosts must still register with WA Department of Re.
Key operational rules for vacation rental hosts in Chelan include: Rental day cap: Tier 1 (Chelan County unincorporated): maximum 15 days per calendar year for owner-occupied rentals. City of Chelan: no . Occupancy limit: Tiered by occupancy capacity under Chelan County Code 11.88.290; specific occupant limits set per tier. City of Chelan O. Minimum stay: Less than 30 days constitutes an STR (no minimum stay imposed; rentals ≥30 days are long-term and exempt)..
Zoning considerations for short-term rentals in Chelan: City of Chelan: STRs regulated as a use under Ordinance 2019-1570; permitted in applicable residential zones with license. Chelan County (unincorporated): STRs are treated as a commercial use even in . Density rules: Chelan County: STR permits capped at 6% of total housing units in each unincorporated ZIP code / urban growth area (9% in Manson). Director determines. Insurance: Yes — liability insurance meeting Washington State transient lodging requirements is required..
Hosts who fail to comply with Chelan's short-term rental regulations may face enforcement action. Chelan County: failure to comply with noise, garbage, parking, and occupancy standards can result in complaints, permit revocation, and fines. Specific fine amounts not published in publicly available.
Platform obligations for services like Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com operating in Chelan: Platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo collect and remit WA state and local lodging taxes on behalf of hosts. Hosts remain responsible for registering with WA Dept. of Revenue and filing lodging tax return.
Apply for your STR permit or registration directly through the official government portal.
Official Source ↗Yes, Airbnb and short-term rentals are legal in Chelan with proper registration and permits. City of Chelan requires STR Self-Certification Checklist. Chelan County requires a designated local contact/qualified person who can respond on-site within 60 minutes of a complaint. An exterior sign
Yes. Chelan requires the following for short-term rental operation: Yes.
Short-term rental hosts in Chelan are subject to the following tax obligations: Washington State sales/lodging tax applies; Chelan County and City of Chelan local lodging tax also applies. Airbnb and Vrbo collect and remit WA state and local lodging taxes on behalf of hosts, but hosts must still register with WA Department of Revenue and file returns..
Hosts who operate without proper permits in Chelan may face enforcement. Chelan County: failure to comply with noise, garbage, parking, and occupancy standards can result in complaints, permit revocation, and fines. Specific fine amounts not published in publicly available summary; consult CCC 11.88.290 for enforcement pr.
City of Chelan and Chelan County (unincorporated) are governed by separate but related frameworks. Investors must distinguish between city limits (Ordinance 2019-1570) and unincorporated county (CCC 11.88.290). The county tier system divides STRs by occupancy and owner-occupancy status. Stehekin Valley STR code is still in development. A 2025 updated version of CCC 11.88.290 is available from the
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