| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| Regulatory Status | Permitted with registration |
| Permit / License Required | Yes |
| Tax Rate | Washington State sales tax + lodging/transient taxes apply (administered by WA Dept of Revenue). Tacoma B&O tax also applies. Exact combined rate: ver |
| Permit Fee | Annual Business License required (TMC 6B.20). Conditional Use Permit (CUP) required for 3–9 guest rooms in applicable zones. Contact Planning and Deve |
| Penalties | Non-compliance with Tacoma STR laws may result in fines and other penalties (per TMC enforcement provisions). Code violations may be reported via 311 |
| Primary Residence Required | Yes |
| Occupancy Limit | Determined by Minimum Building and Structures Code (Title 2) for entire dwelling/ADU rentals. For guest-room rentals: 1–2 rooms by right; 3–9 rooms re |
Short-term rental operations in Tacoma, 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 Annual Business License required (TMC 6B.20). Conditional Use Permit (CUP) required for 3–9 guest ro.
Short-term rental operators in Tacoma should be aware of these tax obligations: Washington State sales tax + lodging/transient taxes apply (administered by WA Dept of Revenue). Tacoma B&O tax also applies. Exact combined rate: verify with WA DOR and City of Tacoma Finance (cityoftacoma.org)..
Key operational rules for vacation rental hosts in Tacoma include: Primary residence requirement: Yes. Occupancy limit: Determined by Minimum Building and Structures Code (Title 2) for entire dwelling/ADU rentals. For guest-room rentals: 1–.
Zoning considerations for short-term rentals in Tacoma: Entire dwelling or ADU may be rented in ALL Residential, Commercial, Mixed-Use, and Downtown Districts. 1–2 guest rooms within owner-occupied dwelling permitted by right in ALL Residential Districts. . Density rules: No citywide density cap found in sourced documents; individual zone and CUP requirements apply..
Hosts who fail to comply with Tacoma's short-term rental regulations may face enforcement action. Non-compliance with Tacoma STR laws may result in fines and other penalties (per TMC enforcement provisions). Code violations may be reported via 311 or cityoftacoma.org/rentalhousingcode..
Platform obligations for services like Airbnb, VRBO, and Booking.com operating in Tacoma: Hosts must provide guests with applicable local laws including fireworks prohibition. Safety signage (fire extinguisher locations, gas shut-off, fire exits, alarms) required in each room/unit. Operati.
Apply for your STR permit or registration directly through the official government portal.
Official Source ↗Yes, Airbnb and short-term rentals are legal in Tacoma with proper registration and permits. Governed by TMC 13.06.080.M (STRs) and TMC 13.06.080.A (STRs in ADUs), and TMC 6B.140 (Transient Accommodations). Washington State Chapter 64.37 RCW (enacted 2019) sets baseline consumer safety, liabi
Yes. Tacoma requires the following for short-term rental operation: Yes.
Short-term rental hosts in Tacoma are subject to the following tax obligations: Washington State sales tax + lodging/transient taxes apply (administered by WA Dept of Revenue). Tacoma B&O tax also applies. Exact combined rate: verify with WA DOR and City of Tacoma Finance (cityoftacoma.org)..
Hosts who operate without proper permits in Tacoma may face enforcement. Non-compliance with Tacoma STR laws may result in fines and other penalties (per TMC enforcement provisions). Code violations may be reported via 311 or cityoftacoma.org/rentalhousingcode..
Tacoma explicitly allows STRs in a broad range of zones with owner-occupancy conditions for guest-room configurations. The ADU-or-main-dwelling exclusivity rule (cannot rent both simultaneously) is a notable restriction. Washington State RCW 64.37 requires all STR operators to maintain liability insurance and make safety disclosures statewide.
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