Clark County, WA Short-Term Rentals: Host Presence Rule (2026)
Key Facts
- STR host presence
- Not required by county
- Unhosted rentals
- Not prohibited by county
- B&B operator
- Must live on site
- B&B basis
- Accessory to on-site household
- Local contact
- No county requirement
Summary
Unincorporated Clark County does not require a host to be present at a short-term rental. For a bed-and-breakfast, the operator must live on site, since a B&B must be accessory to a household residing at the property and be the operator's primary residence (CCC 40.260.050).
A bed and breakfast establishment must be accessory to a household living on the site, meaning that an individual or family who operates the establishment must own and occupy the house as their primary residence.
Full Breakdown
No county rule requires an on-site host or local contact for a vacation rental, because the county does not regulate short-term rentals. Unhosted whole-home rentals are therefore not prohibited by county STR code. Host presence is effectively built into the bed-and-breakfast use: a B&B must be accessory to a household living on the site, which means the operator lives in and occupies the home as their primary residence while renting up to six bedrooms and serving breakfast. Guests are the overnight patrons of that owner-occupied establishment. Ordinary vacation rentals have no equivalent host-presence obligation under Clark County code.
Violations & Fines
For a B&B, failing to maintain the required on-site household occupancy undermines the permit basis and is subject to permit revocation and code enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Clark County require a host or local contact for rentals?
Must a bed-and-breakfast operator live on site?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Clark County
Compare Clark County to another location·View the Washington short-term rentals overview
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