Short-Term Rentals in Kent, WA (2026)
8 verified short-term rentals rules for Kent, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Permit Requirements
Kent requires short-term rental operators to obtain a business license and comply with RCW 64.37, which mandates liability insurance, guest safety info, and contact registration.
Short Term Rentals: Permit Requirements
Heavy RestrictionsNoise Rules
STR guests in Kent must follow KCC Chapter 8.01 noise rules. Quiet hours are 10 PM to 7 AM weekdays and 10 PM to 9 AM weekends. Operators must respond to complaints.
Short Term Rentals: Noise Rules
Some RestrictionsTaxes & Fees
Kent short-term rental operators must collect Washington state sales tax, King County lodging tax, and city lodging tax totaling roughly 12 to 13 percent. Remittance is made through the Washington Department of Revenue.
Short Term Rentals: Taxes Fees
Some RestrictionsParking Rules
Kent short-term rentals must provide off-street parking for guests under KCC Title 15. On-street parking should not create congestion and unpaved surface parking is prohibited.
Short Term Rentals: Parking Rules
Some RestrictionsOccupancy Limits
Kent short-term rentals follow building code occupancy limits, generally two persons per bedroom plus two additional. RCW 64.37 requires operators to post maximum occupancy.
Short Term Rentals: Occupancy Limits
Some RestrictionsInsurance Requirements
Washington RCW 64.37 requires Kent short-term rental operators to maintain at least $1 million in liability insurance or list through a platform that provides equivalent coverage. Proof must be available upon request.
Short Term Rentals: Insurance Requirements
Heavy RestrictionsWash. Rev. Code § 64.37.050 (Short-Term Rentals — Liability Insurance)
64.37.050 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 fro...
Night Caps
Kent does not currently impose a citywide annual night cap on short-term rentals. Unlike Seattle and some Washington cities, there is no limit on how many nights per year a property may be rented for under 30 days.
Short Term Rentals: Night Caps
Few RestrictionsRegistration Rules
Kent STR operators must register with the City of Kent for a business license and the Washington Department of Revenue for tax purposes, plus RCW 64.37 contact info registration.
Short Term Rentals: Registration Rules
Some RestrictionsLooking for King County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Kent city rules.
Short-Term Rentals in King County →