Short-term rental permit rules in Spokane, WA — also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration — list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.
Spokane requires short-term rental operators to obtain a city business registration and comply with SMC 17C.311 residential STR standards. Owner-occupancy is not required citywide but STRs must meet life-safety and zoning rules. Registration with WA DOR for lodging tax remittance is also required.
Spokane regulates short-term rentals (stays under 30 days) under SMC 17C.311 and general business license requirements. Operators must register the business with Spokane's Taxes and Licenses Division and obtain a state UBI through Washington Business Licensing Service. STRs must comply with life-safety standards including working smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors per RCW 19.27.530, and posted emergency information. The property must be zoned to permit residential use. Spokane does not currently impose a citywide owner-occupancy requirement or cap on STR count, but operators must provide a local contact available 24/7 to respond to complaints. Platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo collect and remit WA state sales tax and lodging tax on operators' behalf.
Operating an unregistered STR: civil penalty up to 500 dollars per SMC 17G.075. Life-safety violations: fire marshal enforcement with immediate abatement authority. Repeated nuisance complaints can lead to revocation of business registration.
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See how Spokane's permit requirements rules stack up against other locations.
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