Blaine, Washington Short-Term Rental Investment Guide

Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Blaine, WA?

YES, short-term rentals are allowed in Blaine, Washington, but with specific restrictions and requirements. The City of Blaine explicitly permits transient accommodations, including services like Airbnb and VRBO, in designated zoning districts under Blaine Municipal Code Title 17. However, operators must comply with zoning requirements, obtain proper licensing, collect applicable taxes, and meet health and safety standards.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Blaine?

Blaine hosts earn a median $24,798/year with $184 ADR and 56% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $35,515+ per year.

See the full Blaine market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Blaine

1. Verify Zoning Compliance

Before proceeding, confirm your property is located in an approved zoning district. STRs are permitted in:

Gateway Zoning District
Marine Planned Recreation Zoning District
Central Business Zoning District
Highway Commercial Zoning District
Planned Commercial Zoning District

Note: Properties in purely residential zones may face restrictions. Always verify with the City of Blaine Community Development Services Department before purchasing or converting property.

2. Secure Business Licensing

All STR properties must obtain a city business license through the Community Development Services Department. The application process includes:

Submission of home occupation forms
Payment of applicable application fees
Director approval for land use authorization
Administrative review as Type I-ADM decisions

3. Establish Tax Compliance

Operators must collect and remit the local lodging tax, currently set at 8.2% on all bookings. This falls under Blaine Municipal Code Chapter 3.22 (Transient Lodging Excise Tax).

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Essential Documents and Permits:

City Business License (mandatory before operation)
Home Occupation Application (available through Community Development Services)
Proof of Liability Insurance (primary coverage for the STR dwelling unit)
Fire/Life Safety Compliance (see requirements below)

Health and Safety Requirements:

Fire Safety Equipment: Approved egress window in each sleeping room, working smoke detector in each guest room, household-size fire extinguisher
Emergency Information Posting: Street address, floor plans indicating fire exits and escape routes, maximum occupancy limits
Emergency Contact Information: For police, fire, and emergency medical services
Carbon Monoxide Alarm Installation (if applicable)
Adequate Essential Public Facilities: Including streets, police/fire protection, refuse disposal, water and sewer (public sewer connection required)

Operational Requirements:

Maximum Occupancy Limits (must be posted conspicuously)
Fire Exit Floor Plans (posted within dwelling units)
Emergency Contact Information (readily accessible to guests)
Professional Property Management (if owner does not live on-site)

Specific Regulations by Jurisdiction

City of Blaine Regulations:

Zoning Restrictions:

STRs only permitted in commercial and planned recreation zoning districts
Residential zones may have additional restrictions
Bed and breakfast establishments have separate, more stringent requirements under Chapter 17.98

Business License Requirements:

Required before operation commences
Processed administratively by Community Development Services Director
May be appealed to hearing examiner

Enforcement Policy:

City operates complaint-driven code enforcement program
Proactive enforcement program authorized for unpermitted STRs in unauthorized zones
Minimum two-week compliance period for violations
Violation process: Notice → Voluntary Corrections Agreement → Notice of Civil Violation

Whatcom County Regulations:

Under current Whatcom County Code, vacation rentals are allowed wherever single-family dwellings are permitted
County Council has discussed STR regulations since 2014
No specific county-level STR licensing requirements currently in place
Public hearings have been held to gauge interest in county-wide STR regulations
Proposed amendments to Title 20 zoning are under review but not yet adopted

Washington State Regulations:

State legislature has implemented regulations regarding taxes, consumer safety, platforms, and liability insurance
State lodging tax requirements apply to all STR operations
Additional state requirements may apply for facilities with more than two bedrooms

Contact Information for Local Authorities

Primary Contact: City of Blaine Community Development Services

Address: 435 Martin St. Suite 3000, Blaine, WA 98230
Phone: (360) 543-9837 (Code Enforcement)
Email: CodeEnforcement@cityofblaine.com

Additional City Contacts:

General Customer Service: (360) 332-7124
Email: customerservice@cityofblaine.com
Police Department: (360) 332-6769
Email: police@cityofblaine.com

Whatcom County Contacts:

Planning and Development Services Department: (Contact county for current information)
County Council: Contact through Whatcom County government

Whatcom County Humane Society (Animal Control):

Phone: (360) 733-2080

Important Notes for STR Investors

Market Considerations:

Blaine experiences strong seasonal demand fluctuations
Average daily rates range from $90-$239 per night
High-demand neighborhoods include Birch Bay, Semiahmoo, Blaine Waterfront, Drayton Harbor, and East Blaine
Dynamic pricing strategies recommended to maximize revenue

Compliance Risks:

Violations can result in significant fines
Unpermitted STRs in unauthorized zones face proactive enforcement
City maintains complaint-driven enforcement but has authority for proactive measures
Tax compliance is mandatory and actively enforced

Best Practices for Compliance:

Maintain high standards of cleanliness and upkeep
Implement clear guest communication regarding quiet hours and house rules
Provide comprehensive house manual with operational instructions
Establish reliable emergency response procedures
Consider professional property management for non-local owners

Source Links

Disclaimer: This guide is based on available information and regulations that may change. Investors should verify current requirements with the City of Blaine Community Development Services Department before making investment decisions. The City assumes no liability for errors or outdated information in this summary.

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Ask the AI Advisor about Blaine

Blaine is a small coastal city in Whatcom County, Washington, situated on the northeastern shore of the Salish Sea at the US-Canada border. With a population of roughly 5,000 to 6,000 residents, Blaine carries the laid-back character of a Pacific Northwest waterfront town, surrounded by water on three sides and framed by the distant silhouette of Mount Baker to the east. The city is best known as the home of the Peace Arch, the iconic monument and border crossing that has earned Blaine the nickname "The Gateway to the Pacific Northwest." It sits about 20 miles south of the Canadian border community of Surrey, British Columbia, and roughly 25 miles northwest of Bellingham, the nearest major city in Washington State.

The most prominent landmark in the area is the Peace Arch, a fifty-five-foot-tall white concrete monument standing in Peace Arch State Park on the Washington side of the international boundary. The arch, which was completed in 1921, commemorates the long-standing peace between the United States and Canada, and visitors can literally walk underneath it and cross from one country to the other without passing through a gate. The surrounding state park includes manicured gardens, picnic areas, and walking paths, and it is located within the city of Blaine itself, making it a natural anchor for visitors exploring the border region.

Just a few miles south of downtown Blaine lies Birch Bay, a shallow, crescent-shaped bay known for its unusually warm water, soft tidal flats, and dramatic views across the Salish Sea toward the San Juan Islands and the Canadian Coast Mountains. The bay is a favorite for kayaking, clamming, crabbing, and family beach days, and the small surrounding community offers casual restaurants, vacation rentals, and small inns. A short drive south of Blaine, visitors can also reach the larger city of Bellingham, which adds museums, the historic Fairhaven district, Western Washington University, and a lively waterfront with breweries, galleries, and restaurants to any itinerary.

For travelers interested in outdoor recreation, Blaine and its immediate surroundings offer easy access to the Chuckanut Mountain area to the south and the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest to the east, where hiking trails, alpine scenery, and snow sports await depending on the season. The city also operates a small marina and waterfront along Drayton Harbor, where boating, fishing, and bird-watching are popular activities, particularly during seasonal migrations of waterfowl and shorebirds.

Blaine makes a compelling base for short-term rentals because it combines a genuinely unique selling point, the Peace Arch border crossing, with the natural beauty of the Salish Sea, the recreational appeal of Birch Bay, and the cultural amenities of nearby Bellingham. Its position at the edge of two countries gives it a sense of place that few small American cities can match, and travelers looking for a quieter alternative to busier Pacific Northwest destinations often find exactly that here.