| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| Regulatory Status | Permitted with registration |
| Permit / License Required | Yes |
| Tax Rate | Washington State sales tax + lodging taxes apply (WA DOR). Spokane does not have a separate city lodging tax for STRs based on sourced materials; veri |
| Permit Fee | STR Permit in Residential Zones: $200 application / $100 annual renewal. STR Permit in Other Zones: $300 application / $150 annual renewal. Each unit |
| Penalties | Non-payment of tax results in penalties and interest (WA DOR). STR permit violations subject to city code enforcement. Washington State RCW 64.37 non- |
| Primary Residence Required | Yes |
| Occupancy Limit | Not specified in sourced text beyond standard building code; 1 STR allowed per single-family home, ADU, or individually-owned condo/apartment unit. |
Short-term rental operations in Spokane, 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 STR Permit in Residential Zones: $200 application / $100 annual renewal. STR Permit in Other Zones: .
Short-term rental operators in Spokane should be aware of these tax obligations: Washington State sales tax + lodging taxes apply (WA DOR). Spokane does not have a separate city lodging tax for STRs based on sourced materials; verify with WA DOR (bls.dor.wa.gov) for current combined rate..
Key operational rules for vacation rental hosts in Spokane include: Primary residence requirement: Yes. Occupancy limit: Not specified in sourced text beyond standard building code; 1 STR allowed per single-family home, ADU, or individually-.
Zoning considerations for short-term rentals in Spokane: STRs are allowed in ALL zones that permit residential uses, as well as other zones under the updated 2023 ordinance. Only 1 STR permitted per single-family home, ADU, or individually-owned condo/apart. Density rules: 1 STR per single-family home / ADU / individually-owned unit (citywide per-property cap). No geographic density radius rule found in sourced documents.
Hosts who fail to comply with Spokane's short-term rental regulations may face enforcement action. Non-payment of tax results in penalties and interest (WA DOR). STR permit violations subject to city code enforcement. Washington State RCW 64.37 non-compliance also carries state-level penalties..
Platform obligations for services like Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com operating in Spokane: Adjacent property owner notification letter required for applications in residential zones. Life safety plan (parking, floor plan, fire safety/egress, site plan) must be submitted with application. An.
Apply for your STR permit or registration directly through the official government portal.
Official Source ↗Yes, Airbnb and short-term rentals are legal in Spokane with proper registration and permits. Original STR ordinance effective June 17, 2015 (SMC Chapter 17C.316). Significant amendments effective September 1, 2023 clarified rules and expanded eligibility to all residential zones. Eligible app
Yes. Spokane requires the following for short-term rental operation: Yes.
Short-term rental hosts in Spokane are subject to the following tax obligations: Washington State sales tax + lodging taxes apply (WA DOR). Spokane does not have a separate city lodging tax for STRs based on sourced materials; verify with WA DOR (bls.dor.wa.gov) for current combined rate..
Hosts who operate without proper permits in Spokane may face enforcement. Non-payment of tax results in penalties and interest (WA DOR). STR permit violations subject to city code enforcement. Washington State RCW 64.37 non-compliance also carries state-level penalties..
The 2023 amendments were a major expansion — STRs are now accessible in all residential zones citywide, reversing prior confusion from the 2015 rules. Proactive monitoring/enforcement began after September 1, 2023. Tenants (not just owners) are eligible to apply for STR permits under the amended rules. Each dwelling unit requires its own separate permit.
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