Projects

This page refers to short-term rental properties (under 30 days). If you are looking for information on registering a long-term rental property (30+ days), please visit the Code Enforcement page.

Short-Term Rentals

Chapter 17C.316

Overview

A short-term rental is a rental of all or a portion (e.g. bedroom, basement) of your residential dwelling unit for periods of less than 30 nights. This law became effective on June 17, 2015, with amendments becoming effective on September 1, 2023, allowing eligible permanent residents (owners and tenants) to apply for a short-term rental permit.

Forms

• Ordinance (Updated 07/10/2023) (PDF 8.2 MB)
• Short Term Rental Application & Annual Life Safety Compliance Form (PDF 262 KB)

Application

Applications can be submitted through our Accela Citizen Access online permitting platform under the planning tab. You must have the following items prepared before applying:

• City of Spokane Business License – The City of Spokane and Washington State business license is a combined license. You can apply for the Business License at the Department of Revenue website.
• Completed Short-Term Rental Permit Application
• Completed and notarized Annual Life Safety Compliance Form
• Copy of Liability Insurance for the rental property
• Plan showing parking, floor plan with room labels, fire safety plan showing means of ingress and egress, and site plan
• Copy of the notification letter and a list with the names and addresses of all property owners and organizations that will receive notification of short-term rental use (for applications in the residential zones only)

Download instructions for how to apply for a short-term rental (PDF 407 KB).

Notification

(For applications in the residential zones only)

The owner must prepare a notification letter that:

• Describes the operation and the number of bedrooms that will be rented to overnight guests; and
• Includes information on how to contact the owner or operator by phone

The notification letter must be mailed or delivered to all recognized organizations and owners of property abutting and directly across the street from the short-term rental upon issuance of the short-term rental permit.

Fees & Renewal

The short-term rental application fee is due at the time of application. This fee does not include the Spokane Business License fee. If you wish to discontinue the operation of your short-term rental, you will not need to take any action as the permit will automatically close when a renewal fee isn’t paid.

• Short-Term Rental in Residential Zones - $200 Application fee, $100 Renewal
• Short-Term Rental in Other Zones - $300 Application fee, $150 Renewal

If there are multiple units being rented in one building, each unit will be charged an application fee and receive its own permit number.

Important Notes for Owners/Tenants:

The City of Spokane strongly recommends that you review your lease before submitting an application. receiving a short-term rental permit does not override any lease agreements, homeowners’ association bylaws, covenants, conditions and restrictions (CC&R’s), or any other agreement, law, or regulations that prohibit subletting or use of your residential structure as a short-term rental.

If you have any further questions regarding short term rentals please contact the City of Spokane Development Services Center at 509.625.6300.