Snohomish County, WA Short-Term Rentals: Taxes & Fees (2026)
Key Facts
- County lodging tax
- 4% total (2% + 2%)
- Codes
- SCC 4.40.010, SCC 4.41.010
- Applies when
- Stays under one month
- Also owed
- State + local sales tax
- Remitted to
- Washington Dept. of Revenue
Summary
Lodging rented for less than one month in Snohomish County is subject to two stacked 2% county lodging excise taxes (SCC 4.40.010 and 4.41.010), a combined 4% hotel-motel tax, in addition to state and local retail sales taxes collected through the Washington Department of Revenue.
There is hereby levied a special excise tax of two percent on the sale of or charge made for the furnishing of lodging... This tax shall be in addition to the two percent tax levied by SCC 4.40.010.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through legislation passed August 12, 2026).
Full Breakdown
SCC 4.40.010 levies "a special excise tax of two percent" on lodging furnished by a hotel, roominghouse, motel or similar license to use real property. SCC 4.41.010 levies an additional two percent "in addition to the two percent tax levied by SCC 4.40.010," totaling 4%. Both apply to short-term rentals such as Airbnb because occupancy of under one month is treated as a taxable license to use property, not a lease. Hosts remit lodging and sales tax through Washington DOR; marketplace facilitators (Airbnb, Vrbo) may collect some taxes automatically, but registration and reporting obligations remain with the operator.
Violations & Fines
Unpaid lodging or sales tax is collected and enforced by the Washington Department of Revenue, with interest and penalties for late or unfiled returns.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the Snohomish County lodging tax?
Does Airbnb collect these taxes for me?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Snohomish County
How Snohomish County compares: Cities with the Highest Short-Term Rental Taxes·Compare Snohomish County to another location·View the Washington short-term rentals overview
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