Short-Term Rental Laws in Vancouver, WA (2026)
Short-term rentals (stays of fewer than 30 consecutive nights) are legal in nearly all Vancouver, WA zoning districts, but every STR must hold a city Short-Term Rental permit (one-time $250 fee) plus City of Vancouver and Washington State business licenses, under an ordinance adopted December 18, 2023 and effective January 17, 2024 as a 24-month pilot. There is no owner-occupancy requirement, per-owner limit, or night cap, but the city caps total active STR permits at 870 citywide (about 1% of housing stock, first-come first-served) and requires $1 million liability insurance. Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.
Vancouver STR rules at a glance
| Legal status | Allowed with permit |
|---|---|
| Permit required | Yes |
| Permit name | Short-Term Rental (STR) Permit |
| Permit fee | $250 |
| Renewal | No renewal required |
| Owner occupancy required | No |
| Primary residence only | No |
| Total occupancy taxes | ~10.9% of gross revenue |
| Insurance | Yes. VMC 20.835.040(D) requires current, valid liability insurance complying with RCW 64.37.050: primary liability coverage of not less than $1,000,000 in the aggregate, or conducting every transaction through a platform (e.g., Airbnb) that provides equal or greater primary liability coverage. Proof of liability insurance must be uploaded with the permit application. |
| Enforcement | Enforcement is largely complaint-driven through the city's Code Compliance hotline (360-487-7810) and online concern form. Applicants must sign an acknowledgment allowing the city to inspect the premises (per VMC 17.08). The city 'may use one or a combination of the enforcement mechanisms including correction notices, notice of violation and an order to revoke the permit,' and it is unlawful to rent, offer for rent, or advertise a unit as an STR without the permit and license. Existing operators were given until Feb. 15, 2024 to come into compliance when the program launched; the city mailed letters to roughly 425 known STRs. Staff monitor housing-market impacts and report to City Council quarterly during the pilot. |
| Current rules effective | 2024-01-17 |
What will guests pay in taxes on a Vancouver stay?
Itemized occupancy taxes for Vancouver, WA — enter your nightly rate to see the real cost breakdown.
Vancouver occupancy tax calculator
| Gross rent | $450.00 |
| Washington state + local retail sales tax (Vancouver combined rate) (8.9%)· collection varies | $40.05 |
| Special hotel/motel (lodging) tax — Vancouver/Clark County (2%)· collection varies | $9.00 |
| Total tax (10.9%) | $49.05 |
| Guest pays | $499.05 |
Estimate only. Platform collection varies by listing site and agreement; verify rates with the taxing authorities.
Permits & licensing
Vancouver requires Short-Term Rental (STR) Permit to operate a short-term rental — the fee is $250.
One-time $250 STR permit application fee added to VMC Table 20.180.060 (Planning Fees). A City of Vancouver business license (reported at $50 by local press) and a Washington State business license/Department of Revenue registration are also required. Permits are non-transferable, do not run with the land, and automatically expire when property ownership changes.
Zoning & location rules
STRs are a 'limited use' in all lower-density residential, higher-density residential, and commercial/mixed-use zoning districts, subject to VMC 20.835. In industrial districts they are allowed only in the OCI and ECX zones and prohibited in IL and IH zones. STRs are permitted only within a legally established dwelling unit — not outdoors, in accessory structures, RVs, or other non-residential structures — and are barred from any building receiving the city's Multi-Family Tax Exemption (MFTE) during the exemption period. Citywide, no more than 870 active STR permits may be issued at any time (about 1% of housing stock), approved first-come, first-served.
Taxes
| Tax | Rate | Who collects |
|---|---|---|
| Washington state + local retail sales tax (Vancouver combined rate)Combined 6.5% state + local sales tax for Vancouver (location code 0605) as of the WA DOR Q2 2026 lodging flyer (total lodging tax rate 10.9% minus the 2% special hotel/motel tax). Airbnb and other marketplace facilitators collect and remit sales and lodging taxes for bookings made through their platforms; hosts must register with DOR and remit on direct bookings, and B&O tax on gross receipts remains the host's own obligation either way. | 8.9% | varies |
| Special hotel/motel (lodging) tax — Vancouver/Clark CountyApplies to lodging stays under 30 consecutive days; brings Vancouver's total tax on STR lodging to 10.9% per the DOR Q2 2026 lodging rates flyer. Platforms collect on marketplace bookings; hosts remit on direct bookings. A separate $2.00/night Tourism Promotion Area fee applies only to lodging properties with 40 or more units, so it generally does not apply to STRs. | 2% | varies |
Enforcement & penalties
Enforcement is largely complaint-driven through the city's Code Compliance hotline (360-487-7810) and online concern form. Applicants must sign an acknowledgment allowing the city to inspect the premises (per VMC 17.08). The city 'may use one or a combination of the enforcement mechanisms including correction notices, notice of violation and an order to revoke the permit,' and it is unlawful to rent, offer for rent, or advertise a unit as an STR without the permit and license. Existing operators were given until Feb. 15, 2024 to come into compliance when the program launched; the city mailed letters to roughly 425 known STRs. Staff monitor housing-market impacts and report to City Council quarterly during the pilot.
Failure to comply with any VMC 20.835.040 standard 'will result in the revocation of a Short-Term Rental permit,' and violations are subject to the city's general code enforcement provisions in VMC 22.02.020 (correction notices, notices of violation, permit revocation). Specific fine amounts for STR violations were not published on official STR pages.
⚠️ HOA/condo rules may prohibit STRs regardless of city law.
Recent rule changes in Vancouver
January 17, 2024material
STR ordinance takes effect; city begins accepting permit applications
Vancouver's STR ordinance became effective Jan. 17, 2024 (30 days after adoption) and the city began accepting Short-Term Rental permit applications online and in person. Existing operators (about 425 identified STRs were mailed notices) were given a grace period, extended to Feb. 15, 2024, to obtain a business license and STR permit.
Official source →December 18, 2023material
City Council unanimously adopts first STR ordinance (VMC Ch. 20.835) as 24-month pilot
Council adopted regulations authorizing STRs as a limited use in most zoning districts, requiring a $250 STR permit and city business license, $1M liability insurance per RCW 64.37.050, neighbor notification, an MFTE-building exclusion, and a citywide cap of 870 active permits (about 1% of housing stock). The program was framed as a 24-month pilot with quarterly staff reports to Council on housing-market impacts.
Official source →
Frequently asked questions
›Is Airbnb legal in Vancouver?
Yes — Airbnb and other short-term rentals are legal in Vancouver, WA, but you must obtain a Short-Term Rental (STR) Permit before operating. Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.
›Do I need a permit for a short-term rental in Vancouver?
Yes. Vancouver requires a Short-Term Rental (STR) Permit to operate a short-term rental, which costs $250. Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.
›How much does a Vancouver short-term rental permit cost?
The Short-Term Rental (STR) Permit costs $250. One-time $250 STR permit application fee added to VMC Table 20.180.060 (Planning Fees). A City of Vancouver business license (reported at $50 by local press) and a Washington State business license/Department of Revenue registration are also required. Permits are non-transferable, do not run with the land, and automatically expire when property ownership changes.
›Can I Airbnb a non-primary residence in Vancouver?
Yes — Vancouver does not limit short-term rentals to primary residences. Zoning and other restrictions may still apply. Always confirm current requirements with the city before operating.
›What taxes do short-term rental hosts pay in Vancouver?
Hosts in Vancouver are subject to: Washington state + local retail sales tax (Vancouver combined rate) (8.9%), Special hotel/motel (lodging) tax — Vancouver/Clark County (2%) — roughly 10.9% total on gross rental revenue. Platforms like Airbnb collect some of these automatically; check each line's collection method on this page.
›What happens if I operate a short-term rental illegally in Vancouver?
Failure to comply with any VMC 20.835.040 standard 'will result in the revocation of a Short-Term Rental permit,' and violations are subject to the city's general code enforcement provisions in VMC 22.02.020 (correction notices, notices of violation, permit revocation). Specific fine amounts for STR violations were not published on official STR pages. Enforcement is largely complaint-driven through the city's Code Compliance hotline (360-487-7810) and online concern form. Applicants must sign an acknowledgment allowing the city to inspect the premises (per VMC 17.08). The city 'may use one or a combination of the enforcement mechanisms including correction notices, notice of violation and an order to revoke the permit,' and it is unlawful to rent, offer for rent, or advertise a unit as an STR without the permit and license. Existing operators were given until Feb. 15, 2024 to come into compliance when the program launched; the city mailed letters to roughly 425 known STRs. Staff monitor housing-market impacts and report to City Council quarterly during the pilot.
STR rules change without warning.
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Related
Nearby covered cities
- Portland, ORPrimary residence only
- Camas, WAPermit required
- Seattle, WAPermit required
- San Francisco, CAPrimary residence only
- Los Angeles, CAPrimary residence only
Sources
- Short-Term Rentals (STR) — City of Vancouver, WA (Community Development)retrieved July 9, 2026
- Short-Term Rentals (STR) Permit Application — City of Vancouver, WAretrieved July 9, 2026
- City of Vancouver now accepting short-term rental permit applications (city news release, Jan. 2024)retrieved July 9, 2026
- Adopted STR Ordinance (creates VMC Ch. 20.835), Vancouver City Council, Dec. 18, 2023 (PDF)retrieved July 9, 2026
- VMC Chapter 20.835 Short-Term Rentals — Vancouver Municipal Coderetrieved July 9, 2026
- RCW 64.37.050 — Liability insurance for short-term rental operatorsretrieved July 9, 2026
- WA Department of Revenue — Lodging Rates and Changes, Q2 2026 (Apr 1–Jun 30, 2026)retrieved July 9, 2026
- WA Department of Revenue — Airbnb to collect and send taxes on behalf of hostsretrieved July 9, 2026
This page is informational only and is not legal, tax, or financial advice. Rules change and enforcement varies — verify current requirements with Vancouver and a qualified professional before operating.