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Pierce County, WA Short-Term Rentals: Occupancy Limits (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified July 2026

Key Facts

Guest rooms
Maximum five rooms
Per-bedroom cap
Two guests per bedroom
Total guests
Ten guests maximum
Over the limit
Conditional Use Permit required
Posting
Post max occupancy (RCW 64.37.030)

Summary

Pierce County Code 18A.37.040(B) caps a vacation rental at five guest rooms and two guests per bedroom, not to exceed ten guests lodged at any time. A rental that needs more rooms or guests than these limits allow must obtain a Conditional Use Permit under subsection C.

City-specific rules exist: Tacoma, and Lakewood have their own occupancy limits rules that differ from Pierce County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

A total of five guest rooms may be provided. Two guests per bedroom, not to exceed a total of ten guests may be lodged at any time.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 2026-515, and legislation passed through May 26, 2026).

Full Breakdown

Occupancy in unincorporated Pierce County follows a fixed formula in PCC 18A.37.040(B): a vacation rental may provide a total of five guest rooms, limited to two guests per bedroom, not to exceed ten guests lodged at any time. The bed-and-breakfast standard in subsection A likewise allows not more than five guest rooms and ten travelers. These are hard limits: under subsection C, if the standards in A or B are exceeded or cannot be met, the use requires a Conditional Use Permit instead of the affidavit process. State law adds a posting duty: RCW 64.37.030 requires operators to post the maximum occupancy and a floor plan showing fire exits inside each unit. Cities may set different limits.

Violations & Fines

Lodging more than ten guests, or providing more than five guest rooms, exceeds PCC 18A.37.040(B) and makes the rental unlawful without a Conditional Use Permit. Failing to post the maximum occupancy under RCW 64.37.030 is a separate violation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many guests can a Pierce County vacation rental hold?
PCC 18A.37.040(B) allows two guests per bedroom, up to five guest rooms, and no more than ten guests lodged at any time. Exceeding that requires a Conditional Use Permit.
Do I have to post the occupancy limit inside?
Yes. RCW 64.37.030 requires operators to post the maximum occupancy, the street address, emergency contact numbers, and a floor plan showing fire exits inside each rental unit.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Pierce County

Short-Term Rental PermitsSome RestrictionsShort-Term Rental Parking RulesFew RestrictionsNoise RulesSome RestrictionsNight CapsFew RestrictionsPrimary-Residence-Only RuleFew RestrictionsHost Presence RuleFew RestrictionsInsurance RequirementsSome RestrictionsTaxes & FeesSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Retaining WallsSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Material RestrictionsSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: MicrochippingSignificant RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Mandatory Spay/NeuterSignificant RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Pet Store RulesHeavy RestrictionsLandscaping Rules: Rainwater HarvestingLight Restrictions

All Pierce County rules

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Occupancy Limits in Cities Across Pierce County

Tacoma, WALakewood, WA