Short-Term Rentals in Pierce County, WA (2026)

10 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 3 cities in Pierce County, Washington.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Pierce County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply — see the city list below.

Permit Requirements

Unincorporated Pierce County allows short-term vacation rentals under Pierce County Code 18A.37.040 without a discretionary permit, as long as the owner files a Vacation Rental Affidavit and meets the guest-room, guest, parking, and neighbor-notice standards. Exceeding those standards triggers a Conditional Use Permit.

Pierce County Vacation Rental Permit (PCC 18A.37.040)

Some Restrictions

Pierce County Code 18A.37.040(B)

A Vacation Rental (VR) is a short-term rental accommodation within a legally established single-family or accessory dwelling. Longer term rentals exceeding 30 days are not regulated under this Chapter.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Noise Rules

Pierce County Code 18A.37.040 sets no rental-specific quiet hours; vacation-rental guests must follow the countywide public-disturbance noise rules in PCC Chapter 8.72 and the Good Neighbor brochure the host must supply. Residential noise exemptions apply only 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., so louder activity overnight is restricted.

Pierce County Vacation Rental Noise Rules

Some Restrictions

Pierce County Code 18A.37.040(B)(7)

A Good Neighbor brochure for short-term rentals is provided to each renter describing the appropriate etiquette of residing in a Vacation Rental.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Taxes & Fees

Short-term rentals in Pierce County owe the county lodging (hotel-motel) excise tax, set by the Department of Revenue at 2 percent for facilities of 25 or fewer units and 5 percent for 26 or more, plus state and local sales tax. RCW 64.37.020 makes the operator responsible.

Pierce County Lodging Tax on Short-Term Rentals

Some Restrictions

RCW 64.37.020

Short-term rental operators must remit all applicable local, state, and federal taxes unless the platform does this on the operator's behalf.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Parking Rules

Pierce County Code 18A.37.040(B)(4) sets no numeric parking-space count for vacation rentals. It requires only that the owner or representative give guests information indicating the location of guest parking spaces, relying on the parking already provided for the dwelling. Cities may impose their own off-street minimums.

Pierce County Vacation Rental Parking Rules

Few Restrictions

Pierce County Code 18A.37.040(B)(4)

The VR owner or representative shall provide guests with information indicating the location of guest parking spaces.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Occupancy Limits

Pierce County Code 18A.37.040(B) caps a vacation rental at five guest rooms and two guests per bedroom, not to exceed ten guests lodged at any time. A rental that needs more rooms or guests than these limits allow must obtain a Conditional Use Permit under subsection C.

Pierce County Vacation Rental Occupancy Limits

Some Restrictions

Pierce County Code 18A.37.040(B)(1)-(2)

A total of five guest rooms may be provided. Two guests per bedroom, not to exceed a total of ten guests may be lodged at any time.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Insurance Requirements

Pierce County Code 18A.37.040 sets no local insurance mandate, but Washington's statewide Short-Term Rental Act controls. RCW 64.37.050 requires every operator to carry primary liability insurance of at least one million dollars, or to book only through a platform providing equal or greater coverage.

Pierce County Rentals Follow State $1M Insurance Rule

Some Restrictions

RCW 64.37.050

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.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Night Caps

Pierce County Code 18A.37.040 sets no limit on how many nights per year a vacation rental may operate. A rental meeting the five-room, ten-guest, affidavit, parking, and neighbor-notice standards may operate year-round. The only length limit is per stay: rentals over 30 consecutive days are not regulated as vacation rentals.

No Annual Night Cap in Pierce County

Few Restrictions

Pierce County Code 18A.37.040(B)

A Vacation Rental (VR) is a short-term rental accommodation within a legally established single-family or accessory dwelling. Longer term rentals exceeding 30 days are not regulated under this Chapter.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Registration Rules

Instead of a license, Pierce County Code 18A.37.040(B)(6) requires the owner to file a Vacation Rental Affidavit with Planning and Public Works. It states the owner's intent to operate the residence as a vacation rental, gives contact details, lists the advertising websites, and confirms neighbor notification was provided.

Pierce County Vacation Rental Affidavit Registration

Some Restrictions

Pierce County Code 18A.37.040(B)(6)

The property owner shall file a Vacation Rental Affidavit with the Pierce County Planning and Public Works Department which indicates the following: a. The property owner's intent to use their residence as a Vacation Rental. b. Contact information... c. Listing of the internet site(s)... d. The required neighborhood notification has been provided.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Host Presence Rule

Pierce County Code 18A.37.040 does not require a host or manager on-site during a vacation-rental stay. It requires only that the owner or representative supply contact and parking information and file the affidavit. State law RCW 64.37.030 requires a responsive contact, not physical presence.

No Host-Presence Rule for Pierce County Rentals

Few Restrictions

RCW 64.37.030

Provide contact information to all short-term rental guests during a guest's stay. The contact must be available to respond to inquiries at the short-term rental during the length of stay.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Primary-Residence-Only Rule

Pierce County Code 18A.37.040 does not limit vacation rentals to a host's primary residence. It permits rentals in any legally established single-family or accessory dwelling, so whole-home and non-owner-occupied vacation rentals are allowed once the owner files the affidavit and meets the guest-room, guest, and neighbor-notice standards.

No Primary-Residence Requirement in Pierce County

Few Restrictions

Pierce County Code 18A.37.040(B)

A Vacation Rental (VR) is a short-term rental accommodation within a legally established single-family or accessory dwelling. Longer term rentals exceeding 30 days are not regulated under this Chapter. Vacation rentals shall be allowed when the following criteria are met.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Short-Term Rentals by City in Pierce County

3 cities in Pierce County have their own short-term rentals rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.

TacomaPop. 219,346

10 verified rules • Host Platform Liability, Host Presence Rule

LakewoodPop. 65,064

5 verified rules • Noise Rules, Occupancy Limits

PuyallupPop. 43,938

5 verified rules • Noise Rules, Occupancy Limits

All Pierce County ordinances

See every category we cover for Pierce County — parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.

Pierce County Ordinance Hub →