Lewis County, WA Short-Term Rentals: Occupancy Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Base cap
- 2 guests per bedroom plus 3
- Alternate cap
- Approved septic system design capacity
- Rule used
- Whichever number is greater
- Guest defined as
- Person over 2 years of age
- Governing section
- LCC § 17.105.040(2)
Summary
In unincorporated Lewis County, short-term rental occupancy under LCC § 17.105.040(2) tops out at two guests per bedroom plus three, or the design capacity of the approved on-site septic system if that number is higher. Guests over age two count toward the cap.
§ 17.105.040. Standards. ... (2) The maximum occupancy shall be no more than two guests per bedroom plus three additional guests, or maximum occupancy shall be based on the design capacity of the approved on-site septic system, whichever is greater. A guest is a person over two years of age.
Full Breakdown
105 LCC, adopted by Ord. 1367 in 2025, regulates short-term rentals of dwelling units, accessory dwelling units, duplexes, tiny homes, detached bedrooms, RVs, trailers, and yurts outside city limits. 040 sets the standards an operator must meet, and subsection (2) fixes the occupancy formula: no more than two guests per bedroom plus three additional guests, or the design capacity of the approved on-site septic system, whichever produces the higher number. The code defines a guest for this purpose as anyone over two years of age, so infants under two are excluded from the count. 040(5)). 42 land use table. 20 LCC.
Violations & Fines
Exceeding the occupancy cap in § 17.105.040(2) is a standards violation under the short-term rental permit and, from July 1, 2026, is processed as a code violation under Chapter 1.20 LCC by Community Development. A permit found out of compliance can be revoked; renewal is denied if standards under § 17.105.040 are not met.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many guests can stay at a Lewis County short-term rental?
Do young children count toward the occupancy limit?
What happens if a septic system supports fewer guests than the bedroom formula?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lewis County
Compare Lewis County to another location·View the Washington short-term rentals overview
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