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

Every city handles short-term rentals a little differently. In Spokane, Washington, there are 13 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.

Occupancy Limits

Spokane does not set a specific STR occupancy cap but the WA State Building Code and SMC 17A limit residential occupancy to 2 persons per bedroom plus 2 additional under general standards. Fire code occupant load limits apply. Operators should cap bookings to avoid overcrowding.

Key details: City Cap: No specific number. Guideline: 2 per bedroom plus 2. Building Code: WA adopted IRC. Fire Code: Exit capacity limits. Enforcement: Via nuisance complaints.

Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.

Insurance Requirements

Spokane does not mandate a specific STR liability insurance amount but WA state law and standard practice strongly recommend 1 million dollars general liability. Airbnb Host Liability Insurance and AirCover provide up to 1 million per booking. Notify your homeowner insurer of STR use.

Key details: City Minimum: None specified. Recommended: 1 million liability. Airbnb AirCover: Up to 3 million. HO Policy: Usually excludes STR. Disclose: Notify insurer.

Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.

Noise Rules

Spokane STRs must comply with SMC 10.08D noise standards and general quiet hours of 10 PM to 7 AM. Operators are responsible for guest behavior. Repeated nuisance complaints can lead to business registration revocation. WAC 173-60 residential noise limits of 55 dBA day and 45 dBA night apply.

Key details: Quiet Hours: 10 PM to 7 AM. Day Limit: 55 dBA residential. Night Limit: 45 dBA residential. Contact: 24/7 response required. Code: SMC 10.08D.

First noise citation: 257 dollars infraction. Repeat violations within 12 months: 513 dollars. Three or more verified nuisance events can result in STR business registration revocation under SMC 10.08A chronic nuisance property provisions.

This is one of the stricter rules in Spokane's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Night Caps

Spokane does not cap the number of nights an STR may operate per year. Operators can rent year-round provided they maintain business registration and comply with SMC 17C.311. Some neighboring WA jurisdictions cap non-owner-occupied STRs at 90 or 180 nights annually.

Key details: Annual Cap: None. Owner-Occupied: Not required. Year-Round: Allowed. Condition: Active registration. Comparison: More permissive than Seattle.

Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.

Spokane is more permissive than most cities when it comes to night caps. That said, there are still limits.

Host Presence Rule

Spokane treats hosted STRs (operator present during stay) more permissively than unhosted whole-home rentals, with hosted operations allowed in more zones under SMC Ch. 17C.355.

Key details: Hosted definition: Operator onsite during stay. Hosted zones: Most residential by-right. Unhosted zones: More restricted. Permit posting: Required in listings.

Listing a whole-home unhosted STR in a zone limited to hosted operations can trigger registration denial, fines, and listing-takedown orders under SMC Ch. 17C.355.

Primary-Residence-Only Rule

Spokane allows short-term rentals at primary residences with fewer restrictions, while non-owner-occupied STRs face stricter zoning standards under SMC Ch. 17C.355 and state RCW 35.21.770 partial preemption.

Key details: Code chapter: SMC 17C.355. State law: RCW 35.21.770. Owner-occupied: Broader zoning allowance. Registration: Required for all STRs.

Operating a non-owner-occupied STR in a zone restricted to owner-occupied use can trigger code enforcement, registration revocation, and civil penalties under SMC Ch. 17C.355.

Extended Home Share

Spokane permits long-term boarders and home-share arrangements (stays of 30+ days) under standard residential zoning rather than STR registration, since extended stays fall outside transient-occupancy definitions.

Key details: Threshold: 30+ days = tenancy. Governing law: RCW 59.18 (RLTA). STR registration: Not required. Termination notice: Statutory periods apply.

Misclassifying a 30+ day boarder as a transient guest to avoid landlord-tenant obligations under RCW 59.18 can result in tenant claims, court-ordered restoration of tenancy, and damages.

The rules around extended home share in Spokane lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Host Platform Liability

Spokane requires STR listings to display the city registration number and platforms must collect lodging taxes per state law, though full platform liability for unregistered listings remains limited compared to coastal-city models.

Key details: Listing display: Registration number required. Tax collection: Platform remits to WA DOR. Lodging tax: ~14.5% combined. Takedown authority: City can demand removal.

Operating without displaying a valid Spokane registration number on listings can trigger fines and takedown orders, plus potential WA tax-collection enforcement against unremitted lodging taxes.

Repeat Violator Strikes

Spokane can revoke or deny renewal of STR registrations for repeat code violations under SMC Ch. 17C.355, with escalating penalties for noise, occupancy, or parking infractions documented over time.

Key details: Renewal: Annual, conditional. Tracking: Complaint records by property. Outcome: Suspension or revocation. Re-registration: Harder after revocation.

Accumulating multiple validated noise, occupancy, or nuisance complaints can trigger STR registration suspension, revocation, and denial of future renewals under SMC Ch. 17C.355.

Registration Rules

Spokane STR operators must obtain a city business registration via Taxes and Licenses Division and a WA state UBI through the Business Licensing Service. Registration is annual with a flat fee around 100 dollars. Operators must designate a 24/7 local contact and post contact info in the rental.

Key details: City Fee: About 100 dollars annually. State UBI: Required via BLS. Renewal: Annual. Post Info: Emergency contact, rules. Local Contact: 24/7 required.

Operating without registration: civil penalty up to 500 dollars per SMC 17G.075 plus back taxes and interest. Willful evasion: referral to WA DOR for audit and potential misdemeanor prosecution.

Parking Rules

Spokane STRs must provide off-street parking per SMC 17C.230 at a ratio typically matching residential requirements (1 to 2 spaces per dwelling). Guests may not block alleys, fire lanes, or neighbors' driveways. Street parking is subject to standard time limits and permit zones.

Key details: Requirement: 1 to 2 spaces per unit. Code: SMC 17C.230. RPP Zones: Browne's Addition, others. Fire Lane: Never block. Tow Risk: Alleys and driveways.

Blocking alley or fire lane: 50 to 100 dollar parking infraction plus tow. RPP violation: 40 dollar citation. Repeated guest parking complaints can contribute to chronic nuisance designation and STR registration revocation.

Taxes & Fees

Spokane STRs are subject to WA state sales tax (6.5 percent), Spokane local sales tax (2.4 percent), WA state lodging tax, and Spokane's 2 percent transient rental tax. Total occupancy tax burden is typically around 12 to 13 percent. Platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo collect and remit most taxes automatically.

Key details: State Sales: 6.5 percent. Local Sales: 2.4 percent. Lodging Tax: 2 percent Spokane. B and O: 0.471 percent retailing. Platforms: Collect automatically.

Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.

Permit Requirements

Spokane requires short-term rental operators to obtain a city business registration and comply with SMC 17C.311 residential STR standards. Owner-occupancy is not required citywide but STRs must meet life-safety and zoning rules. Registration with WA DOR for lodging tax remittance is also required.

Key details: Business Reg: Required. Owner-Occupied: Not required. Smoke/CO Alarms: Mandatory. Local Contact: 24/7 required. Code: SMC 17C.311.

Operating an unregistered STR: civil penalty up to 500 dollars per SMC 17G.075. Life-safety violations: fire marshal enforcement with immediate abatement authority. Repeated nuisance complaints can lead to revocation of business registration.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Spokane gives residents more room on short-term rentals. 2 of the 13 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

All of the above reflects Spokane's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.