Spokane Municipal Code

Title 17C Land Use Standards

Chapter 17C.316 Short Term Rentals

Section 17C.316.040 Short-Term Rentals in Residential Zones

1. Allowed Structure Types.

A short-term rental is allowed only in a conforming residential structure or a residential dwelling unit within a mixed-use building. A short-term rental is an administrative permit.

2. Maximum number of short-term rental units.

3. Maximum short-term rental units are calculated by structure rather than per lot. The maximum number of short-term rental units within residential zones shall not exceed those listed below.

1. 1. One short-term rental is allowed in a detached single-family structure, accessory dwelling unit, or an attached single-family structure. One short-term rental is allowed in one of the units of a duplex.

1. 1. 1. One short-term rental is allowed in both a detached or attached single-family structure and an accessory dwelling unit, subject to the owner occupancy requirements in Section 17C.300.110(B) SMC.

1. 2. All other multifamily or mixed-use buildings are limited to a maximum percentage of short-term rental units dependent on the below requirements:

1. 1. 1. Buildings that are fire sprinklered may have no more than twenty percent (20%) of the total number of residential units as short-term rentals within the building. All calculations will be rounded up to the nearest full unit.

1. 1. 2. Buildings that are not fire sprinklered must comply with current building and fire code regulations.

1. 1. 3. When calculating the maximum number of units results in a fraction, the units allowed are rounded up to the next whole number.

4. Standards.

A variance to the following standards is prohibited.

1. 1. All short-term rentals must comply with the consumer safety and liability insurance requirements as listed in Chapter 64.37 RCW.

1. 2. Bedroom requirements. The City’s Building Official must verify that each bedroom to be rented to overnight guests:

1. 1. 1. Meets the current building code requirements for a sleeping room;

1. 1. 2. Meets current fire code requirements;

1. 1. 3. Common areas, such as but not limited to living rooms, lofts, or closets shall not qualify as sleeping accommodations for the purposes of determining maximum occupancy.

1. 3. Number of residents and guests. The total number of residents and guests occupying a dwelling unit that includes a short-term rental may not exceed any lawful limits on occupant load per square foot or generally applicable health and safety provisions as established by applicable building or fire code, as provided in RCW 35.21.682.

1. 4. Parking. See Spokane Municipal Code Chapter 17C.230 Parking and Loading

1. 5. Advertising. All advertisements for the short-term rental must list short-term rental permit number and is subject to sign requirements of Chapter 17C.240 Signs.

5. Permit Required.

The owner of a short-term rental must obtain a permit. The permit requires the owner to agree to abide by the requirements of this section and to comply with the requirements outlined in Chapter 64.37 RCW.

1. 1. Notification.

1. 1. 1. The owner or operator must prepare a notification letter that:

1. 1. 1. 1. Describes the operation and the number of bedrooms that will be rented to overnight guests; and
             
         2. Includes information on how to contact the owner or operator by phone.

1. 1. 2. Mail or deliver the notification letter to all recognized organizations and owners of property abutting and directly across the street from the short-term rental upon issuance of short-term rental permit.

1. 2. Required information for permit.

1. 1. 1. Completed application form bearing the address of the property, the name, signature, address, and telephone number of the owner and operator if operator is not also an owner and emergency contact.

1. 1. 2. A short-term rental application and permit fee established by SMC 08.02.066.

1. 1. 3. A copy of the owner’s current City of Spokane business license.

1. 1. 4. A copy of the notification letter and a list with the names and addresses of all property owners and organizations that received the letter.

1. 1. 5. A site plan and floor plan.

1. 1. 6. A completed and notarized Life Safety Compliance form.

6. Renewal of and Revoking a Short-Term Rental Permit.

A short-term rental permit must be renewed per the procedures in 08.01 SMC and can be revoked according to the outlined procedures for failure to comply with the regulations of this chapter.

1. 1. A permit may be revoked for activities on site such as nuisances, littering, or public disturbance as listed under Title 10 SMC

1. 2. For revocation of permit the owner or operator receives one warning of violation. Non-compliance or a repeat of non-compliance in a 12 month period shall result in revocation of permit and a civil infraction.

1. 3. When a short-term rental permit has been revoked, a new short-term rental permit will not be issued to the owner at that site for 2 years.

7. Existing Approved Permits and Unit Caps.

Existing approved short-term rental permits, which were active and approved prior to July 1, 2023, shall be allowed to grandfather the short-term rental use subject to the below requirements.

1. 1. The short-term rental permit must be active and approved prior to July 1, 2023.

1. 2. If the permit is not renewed a new short-term rental permit will be required and the unit cap stated in 17C.316.040(B) will be applicable.

1. 3. A grandfathered short-term rental permit may not further expand their short-term rental use beyond what is existing in the approved permit, nor may it expand beyond what would be permitted under 17C.316.040.

Date Passed: Monday, July 14, 2025

Effective Date: Sunday, August 24, 2025

ORD C36702 Section 48