Short-Term Rental Investment Guide: Camas, Washington

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

Yes, short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in Camas, Washington. The city permits STR operations within its jurisdiction, subject to specific regulatory requirements. Camas has established a framework that allows investors to operate short-term rentals while maintaining oversight through business licensing, compliance inspections, and tax collection mechanisms. The city treats short-term rentals as legitimate business activities, requiring operators to obtain proper licensing and adhere to both municipal and state-level regulations.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Camas, WA

Starting a short-term rental business in Camas involves several critical steps that align with both city and state requirements:

Step 1: Business Licensing Foundation

Begin by registering your business with the Washington State Department of Revenue and adding the Camas city endorsement. This process is integrated with state licensing requirements and can be completed online through the DOR portal. The city endorsement ensures you're authorized to conduct business within Camas city limits.

Step 2: Property Zoning Verification

Before proceeding, verify that your property is zoned appropriately for short-term rental operations. While Camas allows STRs, certain residential zones may have specific restrictions or requirements. Contact the Planning Department at (360) 817-1568 to confirm your property's zoning compatibility with STR operations.

Step 3: Home Business Permit Acquisition

If operating from a residential property, you'll need a home occupation permit per Camas Municipal Code 18.39. This permit ensures your STR activities comply with residential use standards and neighborhood compatibility requirements.

Step 4: Insurance Procurement

Secure primary liability insurance coverage of at least $1 million to cover your short-term rental dwelling unit. This requirement aligns with Washington State RCW 64.37.050 and protects both you and your guests in case of incidents.

Step 5: Safety Compliance Preparation

Prepare your property to meet state consumer safety requirements, including carbon monoxide alarm installation per RCW 19.27.530, emergency contact posting, and fire exit route documentation.

Step 6: Tax Registration Setup

Register with the appropriate tax authorities to collect and remit the 2% Camas lodging tax, along with any applicable state and federal taxes.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

City of Camas Requirements

Business License ($50)

• General business license for non-residential properties
• Home business license for residential operations
• License obtained through Washington State Department of Revenue with Camas endorsement
• Annual renewal required
• Contact: Finance Department at (360) 834-2462

Home Occupation Permit

• Required for STRs operated from residential properties
• Governed by Camas Municipal Code 18.39
• Ensures compliance with residential use standards
• Contact: Planning Department at (360) 817-1568

Inspection Requirements

• Code enforcement officer inspection required before operation
• Ensures compliance with safety and zoning requirements
• Contact: Code Enforcement at (360) 817-1568

Washington State Requirements

Liability Insurance

• Minimum $1 million primary liability coverage required
• Coverage must aggregate for the STR dwelling unit
• Alternative: Operate exclusively through platforms providing equal or greater coverage

Consumer Safety Compliance

• Contact information provision to guests
• Carbon monoxide alarm compliance per state building code
• Emergency contact posting requirements
• Floor plan and fire exit route posting
• Maximum occupancy limit posting
• Operator contact information display

Platform Registration

• If using platforms, they must be registered with Washington State Department of Revenue
• Platforms must inform operators of tax and safety responsibilities

Tax Obligations

City of Camas Lodging Tax

• 2% of total booking cost
• Collected and remitted by operator
• Contact Finance Department for remittance procedures

State and Federal Taxes

• Sales tax as applicable
• Income tax reporting
• Unemployment insurance considerations
• Workers' compensation requirements if employees are used

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

City of Camas Municipal Regulations

Business Licensing Framework Camas requires all businesses operating within city limits to obtain proper licensing. Short-term rentals fall under this requirement, with specific provisions for home-based operations. The city has integrated its licensing process with the state Department of Revenue system to streamline compliance for operators.

Zoning Compliance While short-term rentals are permitted, they must comply with underlying zoning designations. Residential zones may have specific operational parameters, and commercial zones may offer more flexibility. The Planning Department maintains oversight of zoning compliance and can provide property-specific guidance.

Inspection and Code Enforcement The city requires pre-operation inspections to ensure properties meet safety and compliance standards. Code enforcement officers verify adherence to building codes, safety requirements, and operational standards. Ongoing compliance monitoring helps maintain neighborhood quality and guest safety.

Tax Collection and Remittance Camas imposes a 2% lodging tax on all short-term rental bookings. Operators are responsible for collecting this tax and remitting it to the city according to established schedules. The Finance Department administers this tax collection and can provide guidance on remittance procedures.

Clark County Context

While specific county-level short-term rental regulations weren't identified in the provided content, Camas operates within Clark County's broader regulatory framework. Neighboring Vancouver has implemented more restrictive STR regulations as a pilot program, including permit caps and business license requirements, but Camas maintains its own separate regulatory approach.

Washington State Regulatory Framework

Definition and Scope Washington State defines short-term rentals as lodging uses offering dwelling units for fewer than thirty consecutive nights, excluding hotels, motels, and bed and breakfasts. This definition provides the legal foundation for regulatory compliance at local levels.

Tax Treatment State law requires short-term rental operators to remit all applicable local, state, and federal taxes unless platforms collect and remit these on the operator's behalf. This includes occupancy, sales, lodging, and other taxes, fees, and assessments to which similar lodging providers are subject.

Consumer Protection Standards State regulations mandate specific consumer safety provisions, including emergency contact accessibility during guest stays, carbon monoxide alarm compliance, and conspicuous posting of critical operational information within each rental unit.

Platform Regulations Short-term rental platforms must register with the state and provide operators with information about tax obligations, safety requirements, and potential insurance limitations. Platforms collecting taxes on behalf of operators must remit these to appropriate authorities.

Contact Information for Local Authority

Primary Contacts

Finance Department (Business Licensing)

• Phone: (360) 834-2462
• Email: finance@cityofcamas.us
• Address: 616 NE 4th Avenue, Camas, WA 98607
• Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM (closed 12 PM to 1 PM for lunch)
• Responsibilities: Business licensing, lodging tax collection, general business license inquiries

Planning Department (Zoning & Permits)

• Phone: (360) 817-1568
• Email: Available through city website contact forms
• Address: 616 NE 4th Avenue, Camas, WA 98607
• Responsibilities: Home occupation permits, zoning compliance, planning applications

Code Enforcement

• Phone: (360) 817-1568 (shared with Planning)
• Email: Contact through city website
• Responsibilities: Property inspections, compliance verification, enforcement actions

State-Level Contacts

Washington State Department of Revenue

• Phone: (360) 705-6709
• Email: bls@dor.wa.gov
• Website: dor.wa.gov
• Responsibilities: State business licensing, tax registration, platform registration

Legislative Hotline (Regulatory Questions)

• Phone: 1-800-562-6000
• TTY: 1-800-833-6388
• Responsibilities: State law questions, regulatory guidance

Source Pages

The following source materials provided the regulatory framework for this guide:

• City of Camas Licensing & Permits: www.cityofcamas.us/finance/page/licensing-permits
• Washington State RCW 64.37 (Short-Term Rentals): app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=64.37&full=true
• GoSummer Camas Market Analysis: www.gosummer.com/vacation-rental-management/camas-washington
• Clark County Today Vancouver STR Regulations: www.clarkcountytoday.com/news/vancouver-approves-short-term-rental-regulations-targeting-airbnbs/
• Camas Housing Action Plan: mccmeetingspublic.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/camaswa-meet-fb451e1c4ed44d7c997b1df475f83ea1/ITEM-Attachment-001-2d79f59dd06b41a9931c05813b1caff5.pdf

This comprehensive regulatory framework establishes Camas as a viable market for short-term rental investment, with clear pathways to compliance and operation. Investors should maintain ongoing communication with city departments to stay current with any regulatory updates and ensure continued compliance with all applicable requirements.