Yakima, WA Short-Term Rentals: Noise Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Standard
- no altered residential character
- Covers
- noise, vibration, dust, glare, odor
- Enforcement
- administrative official may revoke permit
- Applies to
- home-occupation short-term rentals
Summary
Yakima requires short-term rentals to operate without disturbing the neighborhood's residential character: no excess noise, vibration, dust, glare, heat, smoke or odor is allowed under the zoning code.
The short term rental shall be conducted in a manner that will not alter the normal residential character of the premises by the use of color, materials, lighting and signs, or the emission of noise, vibration, dust, glare, heat, smoke or odors.
J. The short term rental shall not generate materially greater traffic volumes than would normally be expected in the residential neighborhood.
K. The short term rental shall not require the use of electrical or mechanical equipment that would change the fire rating of the residence or exceed FCC standards for residential use.
L. A business license shall be required. (Ord. 93-81 § 44, 1993. Formerly 15.09.100; Ord. 2008-46 § 1 (part), 2008; Ord. 2009-09 § 1 (part), 2009; Ord. 2010-16 § 13 (part), 2010; Ord. 2016-029 § 1 (Exh. A) (part), 2016; Ord. 2019-044 § 1 (Exh. A) (part), 2019; Ord. 2020-001 § 1 (Exh. A) (part), 2020)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4980636; v1 updated 2026-08-03; through 08-03-2026).
Full Breakdown
YMC § 15.09.080(I) requires every short-term rental in the Yakima Urban Area Zoning Ordinance to be conducted so it will not alter the normal residential character of the premises through color, materials, lighting, signs, or the emission of noise, vibration, dust, glare, heat, smoke or odors. The rule functions as a general nuisance standard rather than a decibel limit, and it sits alongside the section's traffic and equipment standards, giving the city's administrative official grounds to condition or revoke a short-term rental's permitted-use status if a listed nuisance impact escalates.
Violations & Fines
A short-term rental that generates recurring noise, vibration, odor or other nuisance impacts can lose its permitted status; the administrative official may condition approval or refer the property for code enforcement action.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a decibel limit for Yakima short-term rental noise?
Who enforces the noise standard?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Yakima
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