Puyallup's Short-Term Rentals: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles short-term rentals a little differently. In Puyallup, Washington, there are 5 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Parking Rules

Puyallup has no stand-alone short-term rental ordinance, so STR parking is governed by the bed-and-breakfast standards in PMC Title 20 and the off-street parking standards in PMC Chapter 20.55. A B&B-style use with up to two lodging rooms within the primary residence requires no additional parking beyond the dwelling's two-space single-family minimum. A B&B with more than two lodging rooms or located in a detached accessory structure must provide one off-street space per guest bedroom over the initial two. Guests parking on the street must follow standard PMC Title 10 rules.

Key details: No Dedicated STR: No dedicated STR ordinance; parking governed by B&B rules in PMC Title. B&B with up: B&B with up to 2 lodging rooms in primary structure: no extra. B&B over 2: B&B over 2 rooms or detached: 1 off-street space per bedroom over. All Off-street Parking: All off-street parking must comply with PMC Chapter 20.55. On-street: 24-hour Move-on: On-street: 24-hour move-on rule under PMC 10.36.020.

Failure to provide required off-street parking can be cited under PMC Title 20 as a zoning violation; Puyallup's standard zoning enforcement uses warning notices followed by civil penalties up to $500 per day under PMC 1.02 (general penalty) and Title 20 abatement procedures. On-street violations under PMC Title 10, including 24-hour overtime, hydrant blockage, and parking against the flow of traffic, are infractions citable by the Puyallup Police Department; standard infraction penalties run roughly $30 to $75 with additional state assessments. Vehicles left more than 24 hours in violation may be impounded under PMC 10.36.020. Persistent guest-parking complaints can also support broader nuisance abatement action by the city's Code Compliance program.

Noise Rules

Short-term rental guests in Puyallup must comply with Puyallup Municipal Code (PMC) Chapter 6.16 (Noise Control), which adopts by reference Chapter 70.107 RCW and WAC 173-58, 173-60, and 173-62. The state limits incorporated into PMC 6.16 set a 55 dBA daytime maximum and a 45 dBA nighttime maximum at the property line of a residential receiving zone (Class A EDNA), with nighttime defined as 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. PMC 6.16 also restricts plainly audible portable and motor-vehicle audio at 50 feet in residential zones. A violation is a civil infraction with a penalty of up to $250.

Key details: Hours/Times: Quiet hours: 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. (WAC 173-60 incorporated by PMC. Hours/Times: Daytime limit: 55 dBA at residential receiving property line. Hours/Times: Nighttime limit: 45 dBA at residential receiving property line. Hours/Times: Plainly audible motor-vehicle/portable audio at 50 ft is unlawful (PMC 6.16). Penalties: Civil infraction with maximum $250 penalty per violation.

Under PMC 6.16, a noise violation is a civil infraction with a maximum monetary penalty of $250 per occurrence. Each day a violation continues may be treated as a separate infraction. Repeated, plainly audible motor-vehicle or portable-audio violations under PMC 6.16 are independently citable, and persistent nuisance patterns can support abatement action by the Code Compliance program. STR operators who fail to provide responsive 24-hour contact information as required by RCW 64.37.020 may receive a warning letter and are subject to a class 2 civil infraction under RCW 7.80 for subsequent violations.

Occupancy Limits

Puyallup has no stand-alone short-term rental ordinance and instead regulates STR-style uses under the bed-and-breakfast provisions of PMC Title 20. In residential zones, a B&B inside the primary structure is limited to two lodging rooms; a B&B with more than two lodging rooms or in a detached accessory structure is capped at eight lodging rooms total, must keep meals to registered guests only, and may not host banquets, weddings, or conferences. Operators must comply with state RCW 64.37 (24-hour contact, $1 million liability insurance, carbon-monoxide alarms) and pay the city lodging tax under RCW 67.28.

Key details: Dedicated STR Ordinance;: No dedicated STR. Lodging Rooms Allowed: Up to 2. Over Rooms Detached: Over 2 rooms. Banquets Weddings Conferences: Banquets, weddings, conferences. Meals Limited Registered: Meals limited to registered guests; no general public dining.

A first violation of state STR duties under RCW 64.37 results in a warning letter; a subsequent violation is a class 2 civil infraction under RCW 7.80 (currently up to $125 plus assessments). Failure to obtain a Puyallup business license or to remit lodging tax under PMC Title 5 and RCW 67.28 can result in license denial, monetary penalties, and back-tax assessments by the Washington Department of Revenue and the city. Zoning violations of the B&B standards in PMC Title 20, including operating with more than two lodging rooms inside the primary structure, exceeding the eight-room conditional cap, hosting prohibited banquets or weddings, or operating without the required 25 percent landscaping, can be cited under Title 20 abatement procedures with civil penalties of up to $500 per day under the city's general penalty provisions. Persistent violations can support cease-and-desist orders and revocation of the city business license.

Taxes & Fees

STR hosts in Puyallup must collect and remit Washington State lodging taxes under RCW 67.28. Combined sales tax rate includes WA State (6.5%) plus Pierce County and City of Puyallup sales taxes. Remittance is to the Washington Department of Revenue.

Key details: WA State Sales Tax: 6.5%. State Law: RCW 67.28 (lodging taxes). Remittance: WA Dept. of Revenue. Topic: Taxes Fees.

Failure to collect or remit occupancy taxes carries penalties of 10% of the unpaid amount per month, plus interest. Operating without tax registration may result in back-tax assessments plus fines.

Permit Requirements

Puyallup did not appear to have a specific standalone STR registration ordinance when last reviewed. Properties in Puyallup must comply with Washington State RCW 64.37 STR requirements. Operators should contact the City of Puyallup Planning Department to confirm any local licensing requirements.

Key details: State Law: RCW 64.37 (guest contact, CO alarms, posting). Local Ordinance: Not identified — verify with City. Contact: Puyallup Planning: Planning@puyallupwa.gov. Topic: Permit Requirements.

Operating without a permit carries fines of $500 per day. Failure to display the permit number on listings results in a $250 fine. Permits may be revoked after three substantiated complaints within 12 months.

The Bottom Line

Puyallup's short-term rentals rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Puyallup is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Puyallup can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.