Snohomish County, WA Short-Term Rentals: Occupancy Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Guesthouse max
- 3 guest rooms
- Inn max
- 6 guest rooms
- 3+ rooms
- State transient-accommodation rules apply
- 6 rooms
- Full hotel building code
- Outbuildings
- Min 130 sq ft; 850 sq ft aggregate
Summary
Occupancy in unincorporated Snohomish County is limited by guest rooms, not headcount. A bed-and-breakfast guesthouse may offer up to 3 guest rooms; a bed-and-breakfast inn up to 6. At 3+ rooms state transient-accommodation rules apply; at 6 rooms full hotel building-code standards apply.
"Bed and breakfast inn" means a facility in which one kitchen, a shared dining area, and not more than a total of six guest rooms are available within a single family residence and as many as three outbuildings providing lodging for paying guests. (Added by Amended Ord. 02-064, Dec. 9, 2002, Eff date Feb. 1, 2003; Amended by Amended Ord. 20-088, Jan. 13, 2021, Eff date Jan. 30, 2021).
30.91B.060 Bedrock. "Bedrock" means in-place solid rock. (Added by Amended Ord. 02-064, Dec. 9, 2002, Eff date Feb. 1, 2003).
30.91B.065 Bedroom. "Bedroom" means any room or space used or intended to be used for sleeping purposes in a dwelling that contains a closet and method of egress. Rooms that are intended to provide support to occupants of a dwelling such as studies, nooks, dens, home offices, walk-in closets, and spaces providing similar functions should not be classified as bedrooms. This definition applies only to "Park and recreation impact mitigation" regulations in chapter 30.66A SCC and "School impact mitigation" regulations in chapter 30.66C SCC. (Added by Amended Ord. 25-029, July 2, 2025, Eff date July 13, 2025).
30.91B.070 Bench. "Bench" means a relatively level step excavated into earth material on which fill is to be placed. (Added by Amended Ord. 02-064, Dec. 9, 2002, Eff date Feb. 1, 2003).
30.91B.080 Best management practices or BMPs.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through legislation passed August 12, 2026).
Full Breakdown
SCC 30.91B.040 defines a guesthouse as up to three guest rooms within a single-family residence plus as many as three outbuildings; SCC 30.91B.050 sets six guest rooms for an inn. SCC 30.28.020(3) provides that at three or more guest rooms the applicant must meet state regulations pertaining to transient accommodation, and at six guest rooms must meet all requirements for a hotel occupancy under the building code (chapter 30.52A SCC). Outbuildings used for guest rooms must each be at least 130 square feet, with aggregate guest-use outbuilding area not exceeding 850 square feet. If an ADU or temporary dwelling exists, the maximum guest rooms drop by one.
Violations & Fines
Exceeding the permitted number of guest rooms or operating a larger facility than approved is a land-use violation enforceable under SCC Title 30 and Title 7 code enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a maximum number of guests?
What changes at three or six rooms?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Snohomish County
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