Port Townsend, WA Hotels & Lodging: Transient Occupancy Tax (2026)
Key Facts
- Tax rate
- 4% of lodging charge
- Collected by
- WA Dept. of Revenue, as city agent
- Exempt
- Stays of one month or more
- Fund use
- Tourism promotion and facilities
- Max fine
- $500 per day, noncompliance
Summary
Port Townsend levies a 4% special excise tax on hotel, motel, and short-term rental lodging charges, on top of state sales tax.
There is hereby levied a special excise tax of four percent on the sale of or charge made for the furnishing of lodging that is subject to tax under Chapter 82.08 RCW, said tax including the "basic" two percent lodging tax as authorized by RCW 67.28.180 and the "special" two percent lodging tax as authorized by RCW 67.28.181... It shall be presumed that the occupancy of real property for a continuous period of one month or more constitutes a rental or lease of real property and not a mere license to use or enjoy the same.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 3364, passed May 18, 2026).
Full Breakdown
PTMC 3.20.010 levies a special excise tax of 4% on the sale of or charge for furnishing lodging subject to Chapter 82.08 RCW, combining the 2% "basic" lodging tax under RCW 67.28.180 and the 2% "special" lodging tax under RCW 67.28.181. The tax covers short-term rental lodging and similar licenses to use real property; stays of one month or more are presumed a rental or lease and not subject to it. The Washington Department of Revenue collects and administers the tax as the city's agent (PTMC 3.20.050), crediting the first 2% against what the seller would otherwise remit to the state under Chapter 82.08 RCW (PTMC 3.20.030). Revenue goes into a dedicated lodging tax fund used for tourism promotion and tourism-related facilities (PTMC 3.20.040).
Violations & Fines
Failing or refusing to collect or remit the tax is a civil penalty; conviction carries a fine up to $500, with each day of noncompliance a separate offense (PTMC 3.20.070).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the lodging tax apply to short-term rentals like Airbnbs?
Is a monthly rental subject to the lodging tax?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Port Townsend
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