Bellingham, WA Short-Term Rentals: Taxes & Fees (2026)
Key Facts
- License requirement
- Valid business license required at application
- Tax compliance
- Local, state and federal license/tax rules apply
- Liability insurance minimum
- $1,000,000 aggregate (D)(14)
- Renewal cycle
- By Jan. 1 of every even-numbered year
- Transferability
- Not transferable to new owner or site (D)(16)
- Enforcement
- Planning & Community Development Dept.
Summary
BMC 20.10.037(D)(13) requires every short-term rental operator to meet all local, state and federal license and tax requirements and to submit proof of a valid business license with the permit application. Bellingham layers that on top of a required $1,000,000 liability insurance minimum and a biennial renewal.
13. Licenses and Taxes. a. Short-term rental operators shall meet all local, state and federal requirements regarding licenses and taxes. b. Proof of a valid business license is required with the short-term rental permit application.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 2026-06-015, passed June 1, 2026).
Full Breakdown
10 BMC per the table in subsection (C). " Subsection (D)(3) additionally requires primary-residence operators to file a residency affidavit with the planning and community development department on or before January 1st of every even-numbered year. Permits are nontransferable to another operator or location under (D)(16), so a change of ownership requires a fresh license and permit application rather than an assignment.
Violations & Fines
Operating without a current business license or without meeting applicable tax obligations violates BMC 20.10.037(D)(13) and exposes the operator to the penalties in Chapter 20.52 BMC and to permit revocation under (D)(17), following the planning director's attempt at voluntary compliance. A revoked operator cannot obtain a new short-term rental permit for two years under (D)(17)(c). Failing to renew by the biennial January 1st deadline under (D)(15) or letting insurance lapse under (D)(14) similarly puts the permit at risk of revocation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Bellingham require a business license for a short-term rental?
How much liability insurance does a Bellingham STR operator need?
How often must a Bellingham short-term rental permit be renewed?
Can I transfer my short-term rental permit if I sell the property?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Bellingham
How Bellingham compares: Cities with the Highest Short-Term Rental Taxes·Compare Bellingham to another location·View the Washington short-term rentals overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.