Spokane County, WA Short-Term Rentals: Primary-Residence-Only Rule (2026)
Key Facts
- Blanket primary-residence STR rule
- None
- B&B home industry
- Tied to a primary residence
- Must retain
- Residential appearance and character
- Commercial-zone hotel/B&B
- No primary-residence tie
- Code basis
- SCC Title 14 definitions/standards
Summary
Unincorporated Spokane County has no blanket primary-residence-only STR mandate, but the bed-and-breakfast pathway is defined as a home industry 'in association with a primary residence.' A B&B home industry is thus tethered to an owner-occupied dwelling; whole-home lodging without that tie is the commercial hotel/motel use.
Home Industry: An occupation, profession, bed and breakfast facility, or craft ... in association with a primary residence ...
Full Breakdown
SCC Title 14 defines a home industry (which includes a bed-and-breakfast facility) as an occupation 'in association with a primary residence.' The home-industry standards further require the property to 'retain its residential appearance and character' and that the use be 'carried on in a primary residence' (or limited accessory structures). This effectively ties the residential-zone B&B to a primary residence. There is no separate ordinance banning non-owner-occupied STRs across the county; commercial-zone hotel/motel/B&B use has no primary-residence tie.
Violations & Fines
Running a residential-zone bed-and-breakfast that is not associated with a primary residence, or that loses its residential character, breaches the home-industry standards and the CUP, subjecting it to zoning enforcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I run a non-owner-occupied whole-home rental in the county?
Does the county require me to live in my rental?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Spokane County
Compare Spokane County to another location·View the Washington short-term rentals overview
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