How to get a short-term rental permit in Washington, DC (2026)
Washington requires Basic Business License with 'Short-Term Rental' endorsement (host present) or 'Short-Term Rental: Vacation Rental' endorsement (host absent) — the fee is $99, renewed biennial. Here's how to get and keep it.
Permit at a glance
| Permit required | Yes |
|---|---|
| Permit name | Basic Business License with 'Short-Term Rental' endorsement (host present) or 'Short-Term Rental: Vacation Rental' endorsement (host absent) |
| Permit fee | $99 |
| Renewal | Biennial |
Step by step
- 1
Confirm your property is eligible
Washington restricts short-term rentals to your primary residence, so confirm the property qualifies before applying. No zone-based restrictions: DLCP states short-term rentals may operate in any neighborhood or zone in the District as long as the host holds a valid Short-Term or Vacation Rental license. The binding restriction is tenure-based (primary residence, owned by a natural person; investment and corporate-owned properties are ineligible), not zoning-based. Stays are limited to 30 or fewer continuous nights and occupancy to a maximum of 8 transient guests or 2 guests per bedroom, whichever is greater.
- 2
Apply for the Basic Business License with 'Short-Term Rental' endorsement (host present) or 'Short-Term Rental: Vacation Rental' endorsement (host absent)
Submit the Basic Business License with 'Short-Term Rental' endorsement (host present) or 'Short-Term Rental: Vacation Rental' endorsement (host absent) application to Washington and pay the $99 fee. DLCP states 'The total cost for either license is $99.00 for a two-year license.' Older sources (including Airbnb's help center) cite $104.50 ($70 processing + $25 endorsement + 10% technology fee); the current official DLCP figure of $99.00 is used here. Application also requires a Certificate of Clean Hands (issued within 30 days), proof of liability insurance, self-certification of housing-code compliance, and HOA/condo/co-op approval if applicable.
- 3
Register for occupancy taxes
Register to collect and remit the applicable lodging/occupancy taxes for Washington. Some are collected automatically by the booking platform and some you may need to remit yourself.
- 4
Renew on schedule
The permit renews biennial — set a reminder so it never lapses, since operating on an expired permit typically triggers fines.
STR rules change without warning.
Get an email the moment Washington changes its short-term rental rules — plus renewal reminders before your permit expires.
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Verified July 12, 2026. Informational only — not legal, tax, or financial advice. Permit requirements and fees change; confirm current requirements with Washington before applying.