Snohomish County, WA Short-Term Rentals: Short-Term Rental Permits (2026)
Short-term rental permit rules in Snohomish County, WA, also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration, list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.
Key Facts
- Permit vehicle
- B&B (administrative) conditional use permit
- Governing code
- SCC 30.28.020
- Guesthouse rooms
- Up to 3 guest rooms
- Inn rooms
- Up to 6 guest rooms
- Applies to
- Unincorporated county only
Summary
In unincorporated Snohomish County there is no standalone "Airbnb" license. Guest lodging in a home is regulated as a bed-and-breakfast under the Unified Development Code (SCC 30.28.020), requiring an administrative conditional use permit or building permit plus a certificate of occupancy before guests arrive.
A certificate of occupancy, to ensure compliance with applicable codes, shall be obtained from the department prior to allowing guests at the establishment. The certificate of occupancy shall be subject to an annual inspection and renewal pursuant to SCC 30.53A.361.
(5) In the Forestry (F) zone, bed and breakfast establishments shall not be permitted if the comprehensive plan designates the property as "Commercial Forest." In the F zone, up to three outbuildings for guest use may be permitted, provided that the aggregate outbuilding square footage does not exceed 850 square feet. (Added by Amended Ord. 02-064, Dec. 9, 2002, Eff date Feb. 1, 2003; Amended by Amended Ord. 07-084, Sept. 5, 2007, Eff date Sept. 21, 2007; Amended by Amended Ord. 10-023, June 9, 2010, Eff date Sept. 30, 2010; Amended by Amended Ord. 16-029, May 11, 2016, Eff date May 23, 2016; Amended by Amended Ord. 20-088, Jan. 13, 2021, Eff date Jan. 30, 2021; Amended by Amended Ord. 21-018, June 9, 2021, Eff date June 19, 2021; Amended by Amended Ord. 22-062, Oct. 26, 2022, Eff date Jan. 1, 2023).
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 30.28.020 governs bed-and-breakfast guesthouses (up to 3 guest rooms) and inns (up to 6 guest rooms). An application requires a site plan showing off-street parking, screening and structure size; architectural drawings for new construction; and a floor plan showing guest bathrooms and rooms. A certificate of occupancy must be obtained from the department before allowing guests, and it is subject to annual inspection and renewal. Whether a permit is a conditional or administrative conditional use permit depends on the zone (SCC 30.70.025). Incorporated cities (Everett, Lynnwood, City of Snohomish, etc.) set their own STR rules separately.
Violations & Fines
Operating without the required permit or certificate of occupancy is a code-enforcement violation under SCC Title 30/Title 7, subject to notice of violation, abatement, and daily civil penalties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a dedicated short-term-rental license?
Do I need county approval before hosting?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Snohomish County
How Snohomish County compares: Most Airbnb-Friendly Cities in America·Compare Snohomish County to another location·View the Washington short-term rentals overview
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