Yakima, WA Short-Term Rentals: Occupancy Limits (2026)
Key Facts
- Room cap
- 5 lodging/guest rooms max
- Applies to
- home-occupation STRs only
- Governing code
- YMC Title 15 urban area zoning
- Cross-requirement
- 13 conditions, § 15.04.120(C)
Summary
Home-occupation short-term rentals in Yakima's urban area may offer no more than five lodging or guest rooms, capping how large a house-share or B&B-style rental can operate under the zoning code.
No more than five lodging or guest rooms shall be allowed for home occupations.
G. There shall be no exterior alteration to the building which would change its character from a dwelling.
H. The portion of the residence used for a short term rental shall be designed that it may be readily converted to serve residential uses.
I. 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
Yakima Municipal Code § 15.09.080(F) limits home-occupation short-term rentals to no more than five lodging or guest rooms. The section sits in the Yakima Urban Area Zoning Ordinance, the code jointly administered by the city and Yakima County, and applies wherever a short-term rental operates as a home occupation inside a residence rather than as a standalone commercial lodging use. Operators must also meet the thirteen home-occupation conditions in YMC § 15.04.120(C) and keep any reception hall or meeting room capped at the total number of tenants unless separately authorized.
Violations & Fines
Exceeding five guest rooms or ignoring the home-occupation conditions can void the short-term rental's permitted-use status, exposing the operator to code enforcement and permit revocation by the city's community development department.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Yakima short-term rental have more than five bedrooms?
Does this room cap apply everywhere in Yakima?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Yakima
Compare Yakima to another location·View the Washington short-term rentals overview
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