Occupancy Limits: Puyallup vs Tacoma
How do occupancy limits rules compare between Puyallup, WA and Tacoma, WA?
Puyallup and Tacoma have similar restriction levels.
Puyallup, WA
Pierce County
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.
View full Puyallup rules →Tacoma, WA
Pierce County
Tacoma caps short-term rental occupancy under TMC 6B.130 to ensure neighborhood safety, manage parking, and prevent oversized party-house operations within otherwise residential blocks.
View full Tacoma rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Puyallup | Tacoma |
|---|---|---|
| - | - | |
| Code | - | TMC 6B.130 |
| Default cap | - | 2 per bedroom plus overflow |
| Listing must show | - | Max occupancy |
| Inspections | - | Complaint-driven |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Puyallup FAQ
How many guest rooms can I rent in a Puyallup STR?
Under the B&B provisions of PMC Title 20, up to two lodging rooms are allowed inside the primary residence by right. More than two rooms, or rooms located in a detached accessory structure, require conditional review and are capped at eight lodging rooms total.
Does Puyallup set a guest-per-bedroom limit?
No. PMC Title 20 does not include a guest-per-bedroom cap. Occupant load is governed by the State Building Code as adopted in PMC Title 17 and by Puyallup Fire Department life-safety and egress standards for the structure.
What state requirements apply on top of Puyallup's rules?
RCW 64.37 requires every STR operator to provide 24-hour contact information to guests, maintain at least $1 million in primary liability insurance (or use a platform that does), and comply with the state's carbon-monoxide alarm standards under RCW 19.27.530.
Do I need a business license and lodging tax registration in Puyallup?
Yes. STR operators must obtain a Puyallup business license under PMC Title 5 and register with the Washington Department of Revenue. Puyallup's lodging tax is adopted under RCW 67.28 and may not exceed 2 percent on the furnishing of lodging.
Tacoma FAQ
Do day guests count toward the cap?
Overnight occupants count; brief daytime visitors generally do not, but large gatherings can still trigger noise or party-house enforcement under separate code provisions.
Where do I post the cap?
Tacoma requires the maximum occupancy to be stated in the listing and posted inside the unit, typically near the entry along with emergency contacts.
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