| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| Regulatory Status | Restricted — rules apply |
| Permit / License Required | Yes — San Juan County Vacation Rental Permit required. |
| Tax Rate | Combined state/local tax rate is approx. 10.1% to 10.5% (includes local hotel/motel excise tax). |
| Night / Day Cap | No nightly cap. |
| Minimum Stay | None (short-term defined as stays under 30 consecutive days). |
| Permit Fee | Permit application, public hearing, and annual renewal fees apply. |
| Penalties | Operating a vacation rental without a permit or violating permit conditions results in fines of up to $500 per day and permit revocation. |
| Primary Residence Required | No |
| Occupancy Limit | Strict occupancy caps specified on the individual permit (typically based on septic/bedroom limits). |
Short-term rentals in San Juan County, Washington are allowed but subject to significant restrictions under local regulations as of 2026. Hosts operating on Airbnb, VRBO, or other vacation rental platforms must obtain proper licensing: Yes — San Juan County Vacation Rental Permit required.. The associated permit fees are Permit application, public hearing, and annual renewal fees apply..
Short-term rental operators in San Juan County should be aware of these tax obligations: Combined state/local tax rate is approx. 10.1% to 10.5% (includes local hotel/motel excise tax).. Yes — must register for Washington state sales tax and local lodging tax..
Key operational rules for vacation rental hosts in San Juan County include: Primary residence requirement: No. Rental day cap: No nightly cap.. Occupancy limit: Strict occupancy caps specified on the individual permit (typically based on septic/bedroom limits).. Minimum stay: None (short-term defined as stays under 30 consecutive days)..
Zoning considerations for short-term rentals in San Juan County: Island-specific permit caps apply to balance tourism: San Juan Island (337 permits), Orcas Island (211 permits), Lopez Island (135 permits), Outer Islands (10 permits). Shaw and Waldron islands prohib. Density rules: Caps prevent new permit issuance once island limits are reached. Spacing or neighborhood quotas may apply.. Insurance: Yes — liability insurance coverage for commercial transient lodging is mandatory..
Hosts who fail to comply with San Juan County's short-term rental regulations may face enforcement action. Operating a vacation rental without a permit or violating permit conditions results in fines of up to $500 per day and permit revocation..
Platform obligations for services like Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com operating in San Juan County: None formally active; permit number must be displayed on all listings..
Apply for your STR permit or registration directly through the official government portal.
Official Source ↗Airbnb and short-term rentals are legal in San Juan County but subject to restrictions. Hosts must comply with local permit requirements and zoning rules. Requires public notice to neighbors upon application, trash management plans, and dedicated parking spaces. 24/7 local contact must respond within 60 minutes.
Yes. San Juan County requires the following for short-term rental operation: Yes — San Juan County Vacation Rental Permit required..
Short-term rental hosts in San Juan County are subject to the following tax obligations: Combined state/local tax rate is approx. 10.1% to 10.5% (includes local hotel/motel excise tax)..
Hosts who operate without proper permits in San Juan County may face enforcement. Operating a vacation rental without a permit or violating permit conditions results in fines of up to $500 per day and permit revocation..
A highly restricted island market. The island-specific caps have resulted in active waitlists, and new permits are only issued when existing permits are cancelled or expire.
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