Short-Term Rentals in Lakewood, WA (2026)
5 verified short-term rentals rules for Lakewood, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Permit Requirements
Short-term rentals in Lakewood, WA appear to require that the listed property be a primary residence based on available information. Operators must also obtain a Washington State business license and comply with applicable Lakewood zoning and licensing requirements. Verify current requirements with the City of Lakewood.
Lakewood Short-Term Rental Permit Requirements
Some RestrictionsRCW 64.37
(v) The contact information for the operator or designated contact. (2) Short-term rental platforms must provide short-term rental operators with a summary of the consumer safety requirements in subsection (1) of this section. (3) For a first violation of this section, the city or county attorney must issue a warning letter to the owner or operator. An owner that violates this section after rec...
Noise Rules
Lakewood short-term rental guests must comply with Lakewood Municipal Code Chapter 8.36 (Noise Control), which incorporates Washington's Maximum Environmental Noise Levels (Chapter 173-60 WAC). For sound entering a residential receiving zone, daytime limits run to 55 dBA and drop 10 dBA between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. (effectively 45 dBA at night). LMC 18A.40.090 also requires every STR's posted Good Neighbor Policy to address noise restrictions and quiet hours, and LMC 8.36 separately caps frequent, repetitive, or continuous sounds at 75 dBA at the property line.
Lakewood STR Noise Rules
Some RestrictionsTaxes & Fees
STR hosts in Lakewood must collect and remit Washington State lodging taxes under RCW 67.28. Combined tax rate includes WA State sales tax (6.5%) plus Pierce County and Lakewood sales taxes. Remittance is to the Washington Department of Revenue.
Lakewood Short-Term Rental Taxes & Fees
Some RestrictionsParking Rules
Lakewood Municipal Code 18A.40.090 requires that all off-street parking required for the primary residential use of an STR site be made available to guests, and STR applicants must disclose the number of off-street guest parking spaces provided. There is no STR-specific minimum on top of the residential standard in LMC Title 18A. Guests must use designated off-street spaces; on-street guest parking must follow the standard Lakewood vehicle code and Lakewood Police Department posted limits.
Lakewood STR Parking Rules
Some RestrictionsOccupancy Limits
Lakewood Municipal Code 18A.40.090 defines a short-term rental as a dwelling rented for fewer than 30 consecutive calendar days and ties STR maximum occupancy to LMC Title 15 (Buildings and Construction), which incorporates the International Building, Residential, and Fire Codes. Each STR must be inspected by the City and Tacoma-Pierce County Fire District before licensing to confirm building and fire code compliance. STRs are prohibited in commercial zones (C1-C3), industrial zones (IBP, I1, I2), public/semi-public institutional zones, and Open Space Recreation zones (OSR1, OSR2). STR permits are non-transferable and tied to a single address.