King County imposes a 4 percent lodging tax on hotel and short-term rental stays under chapter 67.28 RCW, layered on the 6.5 percent state sales tax and local rates, totaling about 10.5 percent or more.
Washington authorizes counties to impose lodging taxes under chapters 67.28 and 67.40 RCW, used to fund tourism, arts, and convention facilities. King County collects a 4 percent special excise tax on lodging in unincorporated areas and many cities. The state sales tax of 6.5 percent under RCW 82.08 applies on top, plus local sales tax components, producing combined hotel taxes near 10.5 to 16 percent depending on city. Seattle, Bellevue, and SeaTac add convention center, tourism, and stadium taxes. Short-term rentals are subject to the same lodging taxes.
Hosts and operators that fail to register, collect, or remit lodging taxes can owe back taxes plus penalties up to 29 percent and interest under chapter 82.32 RCW, with criminal exposure for willful evasion.
King County, WA
In unincorporated King County, fences 6 feet or less in height may be built on or within property lines without a building permit. Fences over 6 feet require...
King County, WA
Unincorporated King County's marine shoreline along Puget Sound and Vashon-Maury Island is regulated under the Shoreline Management Act (RCW 90.58), the King...
King County, WA
In unincorporated King County, an above-ground pool that can hold water more than 24 inches deep is regulated as a swimming pool under the Washington State R...
King County, WA
In unincorporated King County, a one-story detached storage shed of 200 square feet or less, accessory to a residential or agricultural use, is exempt from a...
King County, WA
Unincorporated King County requires private swimming pools to be enclosed by a barrier at least five feet high under K.C.C. 16.70.020, with self-closing/self...
King County, WA
King County Ordinance 18467 (2017) limits county cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, and Washington's Keep Washington Working Act (RCW 10.93.16...
See how King County's transient occupancy tax rules stack up against other locations.
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