Yakima, WA Short-Term Rentals: Permit Requirements (2026)

Yakima regulates short-term rentals primarily through Title 15 of the Yakima Municipal Code (the Urban Area Zoning Ordinance), with business licensing handled separately by City Finance under YMC Title 5. STRs are defined as residential dwelling units, or portions of them, offered to overnight guests for fewer than 30 consecutive days, which aligns with the statewide definition in RCW 64.37.010. In residential zones (SR, R-1, R-2, R-3), an owner-occupied STR with no more than five lodging units or guest rooms is allowed as a home occupation provided all thirteen conditions of YMC 15.04.120(C) are met: minimal outward modification of the structure or grounds compatible with the neighborhood, no front-yard guest parking unless screened or waived, one non-illuminated or externally illuminated sign no larger than the zone's max, no infringement on neighbors' peaceful occupancy, and the other home-occupation stipulations. Non-owner-occupied STRs in residential zones, and STRs in commercial zones (CBD, B-1, SCC, LCC, GC), are processed as a Type 1, 2, or 3 land use review under YMC Chapter 15.04, with the level of review keyed to zoning district and intensity. All STR operators must satisfy YMC 15.09.080 special development standards: site plan showing parking and STR configuration, compliance with setbacks and zoning, property-ownership verification, and state/federal business registration documentation. A City of Yakima Business License is required for every rental property and must be renewed annually; applications run through City Finance. Applicants should contact the Yakima Planning Division at (509) 575-6183 to confirm the review type and submit a land use application. Statewide, RCW 64.37 imposes parallel operator duties that apply on top of Yakima's local code: every operator must provide 24/7 contact information to guests, confirm carbon monoxide alarms comply with RCW 19.27.530, maintain at least $1,000,000 primary liability insurance (or book through a platform providing equivalent coverage), and remit all applicable taxes unless the platform handles that on the operator's behalf.