Everett allows long-term rental of ADUs without restriction. Short-term rentals (under 30 days) are regulated separately under Ordinance 4102-25 (effective July 8, 2025), which requires a city business license and STR registration. Both the primary dwelling and the ADU may be rented under long-term leases at the same time, with standard landlord-tenant duties under RCW 59.18.
Long-term ADU rentals (30 days or longer) are unrestricted under EMC Title 19 as amended by Ordinance 3963-23. The owner-occupancy requirement that previously limited rental flexibility was repealed. Short-term rentals (under 30 days) are governed separately. Ordinance 4102-25, effective July 8, 2025, repealed the older EMC 19.08.150 STR provisions and replaced them with a registration and business-license framework administered by the City Clerk. STR operators must obtain a city business license, register each STR unit, document liability insurance, and meet the safety standards in RCW 64.37 (smoke/CO alarms, posted emergency information, escape-route floor plan, minimum $1 million liability coverage). Both the primary house and the ADU may operate as separate long-term rentals simultaneously. Maximum occupancy is set by the WA State Building Code (WAC 51-51 / IRC) and by household-definition rules in EMC Title 19. Washington law (RCW 35.21.830) preempts municipal rent control, so Everett does not cap rents.
Operating an unregistered short-term rental triggers civil penalties under Ordinance 4102-25 and back-tax assessment by the Washington Department of Revenue. Long-term rental violations (habitability, illegal eviction) are enforced under RCW 59.18. Renting an ADU that lacks a final occupancy sign-off is a separate EMC Title 1.20 violation with daily fines up to $500.
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