Tacoma, WA Short-Term Rentals: Primary-Residence-Only Rule (2026)
Key Facts
- Occupancy required
- Main house or ADU
- Applies to
- ADU short-term rentals
- Cross-references
- TMC § 13.06.080M standards
- Absentee-owner rentals
- Not allowed
Summary
Tacoma requires the property owner to live in either the main house or the ADU before either one can be used as a short-term rental.
Short-term rental. The use of an ADU as a short-term rental shall be allowed, subject to compliance with Sections 13.06.080A and 13.06.080M. The property owner is required to occupy one of the dwellings for approval of a short-term rental of either the main dwelling or the ADU.
h. Density calculations. ADUs are counted as dwelling units in the Urban Residential zones. In all other zones, ADUs shall be exempt from density calculations.
i. Conversion of existing accessory structures to residential use. Permitted or legally nonconforming accessory structures, existing as of February 1, 2025, in a UR or an R district may be converted to a dwelling unit regardless of conformance to setback, location, maximum height, or other development regulation. The building must be brought into compliance with current Building Code requirements and required pedestrian access shall be provided.
5. Use Standards, subject to variance:
a. Minimum lot size. Attached and Detached ADUs are permitted on any legally established lot, irrespective of lot size or width, provided that applicable size, location, setback, amenity space, and other standards are met.
b. ADU size.
(1) The habitable area of ADUs, excluding any garage area and other non-living areas, shall be limited to a maximum of 1,000 square feet.
c.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4946110; v22 updated 2026-07-28).
Full Breakdown
TMC § 13.06.080A.4.g ties short-term rental use of an accessory dwelling unit to owner occupancy: the property owner must occupy one of the two dwellings, the main house or the ADU, for either unit to be approved as a short-term rental, and the use must also comply with the general short-term rental standards in § 13.06.080M. A separate owner-occupancy rule in § 13.06.080M applies when an owner instead rents individual guest rooms within a single dwelling. Either way, an absentee-owned property cannot be run as a short-term rental in Tacoma.
Violations & Fines
Operating a short-term rental at a property where the owner does not occupy one of the dwellings violates TMC § 13.06.080A.4.g and can result in denial or revocation of short-term rental approval.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I rent my ADU short-term if I don't live on the property?
Does the same rule apply to renting a guest room?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Tacoma
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