Tacoma distinguishes operator-occupied (primary residence) STRs from non-operator-occupied units, with stricter zoning and registration treatment for whole-home investor rentals under TMC 6B.130.
Tacoma Municipal Code 6B.130 categorizes short-term rentals as operator-occupied, where the host lives on-site for most of the year, or non-operator-occupied, which are typically whole homes rented while the owner is elsewhere. Registration requirements, fees, and zoning treatment differ between the two categories, and some residential zones limit non-operator-occupied STRs more tightly. Hosts must declare which category applies and update the city if their living situation changes during the registration period.
Misrepresenting occupancy status can result in registration revocation and civil penalties under TMC 6B.130.
Tacoma, WA
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Tacoma, WA
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See how Tacoma's primary-residence-only rule rules stack up against other locations.
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