Spokane, WA Short-Term Rentals: Short-Term Rental Permits (2026)
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.
Key Facts
- City Fee
- About 100 dollars annually
- State UBI
- Required via BLS
- Renewal
- Annual
- Post Info
- Emergency contact, rules
- Local Contact
- 24/7 required
Summary
Spokane STR operators must obtain a city business registration via Taxes and Licenses Division and a WA state UBI through the Business Licensing Service. Registration is annual with a flat fee around 100 dollars. Operators must designate a 24/7 local contact and post contact info in the rental.
A short-term rental operator must maintain primary liability insurance to cover the short-term rental dwelling unit in the aggregate of not less than one million dollars or conduct each short-term rental transaction through a platform that provides equal or greater primary liability insurance coverage. Nothing in this section prevents an operator or a platform from seeking contributions from any other insurer also providing primary liability insurance coverage for the short-term rental transaction to the extent of that insurer's primary liability coverage limits.
Full Breakdown
Every short-term rental in Spokane must operate under a current city business registration. Registration is completed online through Spokane's Taxes and Licenses Division or combined with WA state licensing through the Business Licensing Service (BLS), which issues a UBI number. Annual city registration fees are based on gross receipts, with a minimum around 100 dollars. STR registrations require disclosure of property address, number of bedrooms, maximum occupancy, and 24/7 local contact name and phone number. Operators must post emergency contact information, fire evacuation route, and house rules inside the rental. Registration renewal is annual. Failure to register or renew is a civil violation and can lead to enforcement under SMC 17G.075.
Violations & Fines
Operating without registration: civil penalty up to 500 dollars per SMC 17G.075 plus back taxes and interest. Willful evasion: referral to WA DOR for audit and potential misdemeanor prosecution.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I register my STR in Spokane?
What if I do not register?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Spokane
How Spokane compares: Most Airbnb-Friendly Cities in America·Compare Spokane to another location·View the Washington short-term rentals overview
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