Short-Term Rentals in Federal Way, WA (2026)
8 verified short-term rentals rules for Federal Way, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Permit Requirements
Federal Way STR operators must comply with RCW 64.37, which requires liability insurance, on-site safety info, and tax registration. A Federal Way business registration is also required.
Federal Way Short-Term Rental Permit Requirements
Heavy RestrictionsNoise Rules
STR guests in Federal Way follow the citywide noise ordinance in FWRC Chapter 7.10. Quiet hours are typically 10 PM to 7 AM and operators must maintain a 24-hour local contact under RCW 64.37.
Federal Way Short-Term Rental Noise Rules
Some RestrictionsTaxes & Fees
Federal Way STR operators collect Washington retail sales tax, King County lodging tax, and state and local lodging taxes. Combined rates typically run around 12 to 13 percent, remitted through WA DOR.
Federal Way Short-Term Rental Taxes and Fees
Some RestrictionsParking Rules
Federal Way STRs must provide off-street parking under FWRC Title 19. On-street overflow should not create congestion and unpaved parking of guest vehicles is not permitted.
Federal Way Short-Term Rental Parking Rules
Some RestrictionsOccupancy Limits
Federal Way STRs follow building code occupancy standards, generally two persons per bedroom plus two additional. RCW 64.37 requires operators to post maximum occupancy inside the unit.
Federal Way Short-Term Rental Occupancy Limits
Some RestrictionsInsurance Requirements
RCW 64.37.040 requires Federal Way STR operators to maintain at least 1 million dollars in liability insurance or rent only through a platform that provides equivalent coverage.
Federal Way Short-Term Rental Insurance Requirements
Heavy RestrictionsNight Caps
Federal Way does not currently impose an annual night cap on short-term rentals. Unlike Seattle, there is no local limit on how many nights per year a property may be rented for stays under 30 days.
Federal Way Short-Term Rental Night Caps
Few RestrictionsRegistration Rules
Federal Way STR operators must register with WA DOR through the Business Licensing Service, obtain a Federal Way business endorsement, and register local contact info under RCW 64.37.
Federal Way Short-Term Rental Registration Rules
Some RestrictionsWash. Rev. Code § 64.37.050 - Short-term rental liability insurance
A short-term rental operator must maintain primary liability insurance to cover the short-term rental dwelling unit in the aggregate of not less than one million dollars or conduct each short-term rental transaction through a platform that provides equal or greater primary liability insurance coverage. Nothing in this section prevents an operator or a platform from seeking contributions from an...
Looking for King County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Federal Way city rules.
Short-Term Rentals in King County →