Overview and Bottom Line on STR Allowability

Short-term rentals (rentals for fewer than 30 consecutive days) are permitted in Othello, WA. The City of Othello does not publish a standalone “STR ordinance” or ban; the operative local framework is the Rental Housing Licensing & Safety Inspection Program adopted under Othello Municipal Code (OMC) 4.40 in February 2021. Under this program, landlords—including STR operators—must register each residential rental unit and complete a safety inspection every three years. In other words, if you plan to rent a dwelling for fewer than 30 days, you must treat it as a rental unit and comply with registration and periodic inspection requirements. The City’s Rental Housing Licensing Program is enforced by Code Enforcement and Building & Planning staff.

Two Washington State laws also shape your STR obligations. First, the Washington Landlord–Tenant Act (RCW 59.18) applies broadly to rental housing relationships; this includes STRs that meet the definition of a landlord–tenant interaction (short stays can create a tenancy if the occupant pays for possession and there is an agreement). Second, Washington’s “Safety & Maintenance” standards (RCW 59.18.060) require landlords to maintain rented premises in safe, habitable condition. Together with OMC 4.40, these state rules create your baseline compliance framework.

Important note: No city-specific ban on STRs was found. If a future local ordinance is adopted to specifically regulate STRs (e.g., limits on frequency, occupancy, or registration), it would supersede or add to the general rental licensing program. Investors should confirm any updates with the Building & Planning and Finance departments.

How to Start an STR Business in Othello, WA

• Treat the STR as a residential rental. Register each STR unit under the City’s Rental Housing Licensing & Safety Inspection Program (OMC 4.40).
• Schedule and pass the safety inspection every three years. New units, significant renovations, or changes to occupancy/use typically trigger an inspection.
• Align occupancy, use, and safety measures with OMC 4.40 and Washington state standards (RCW 59.18.060). If the STR unit is subject to building/fire code requirements (e.g., change of occupancy, multifamily classification), obtain any necessary building permits and approvals.
• Taxes and lodging-related fees. Confirm any local lodging or transient occupancy tax with the City of Othello Finance Department. If the City levies a lodging tax, register, collect, and remit as required. Also register for Washington State sales tax and obtain any required state business licensing.
• Ongoing compliance. Keep current with three-year inspections, post required notices to tenants, and maintain records of licenses, inspections, and tax remittances.
• Contact points for guidance. Reach out to Building & Planning for licensing/inspection questions; Finance for lodging/sales tax; Police for public safety or noise matters; Fire for life-safety and occupancy compliance.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

City-required (per OMC 4.40):

• Rental Housing License Application (fillable PDF). Submit one per rental unit.
• Safety Inspection. Complete the City’s safety inspection on a triennial basis (3-year cycle).
• Landlord-to-Tenant Notification (English/Spanish). Provide the City’s notification to tenants/occupants regarding their rights, safety inspection status, and contact information.

State-level references (operational obligations):

• RCW 59.18 (Washington Landlord–Tenant Act). Establishes rights and obligations for landlords and tenants, including STRs where a landlord–tenant relationship exists.
• RCW 59.18.060 (Maintenance & Habitability). Sets standards for safe and habitable conditions; relevant to STR life-safety and habitability.

Building/fire/life-safety:

• Obtain building permits for any construction, alteration, change of occupancy, or fire/life-safety improvements that the Building Official deems necessary. Coordinate early with Building & Planning and the Fire Department to confirm if any changes to the STR unit alter occupancy classification or require code upgrades.
• Post emergency information, fire egress plans, and occupant safety notices as applicable.

Taxes and business registration (confirm applicability with City Finance):

• Local lodging or transient occupancy tax: Registration and remittance if levied by the City of Othello. Confirm rates and rules with Finance.
• Washington State sales tax: Registration and remittance on lodging.
• State business registration: Verify whether a统称 state business license applies to your STR operation.

Specific STR Regulations and Compliance Duties

City of Othello (OMC 4.40 – Rental Housing Licensing & Safety Inspection Program):

• Licensing scope. Landlords must register each residential rental unit. This covers STR units rented for fewer than 30 days.
• Safety inspections. Every three years; new units, significant renovations, or material changes may require inspection. City staff include Code Enforcement and Building Inspection.
• Tenant notification. Provide the City’s landlord-to-tenant notification (English/Spanish) to occupants. This notice identifies rights under the Washington Landlord–Tenant Act and includes City contact information.
• Enforcement. The City enforces OMC 4.40 through code enforcement and building inspection channels.

State of Washington:

• Landlord–Tenant framework (RCW 59.18). Applies to rental relationships, including STRs. Obligations include but are not limited to habitability, disclosures, and proper notices.
• Habitability & safety (RCW 59.18.060). Requires landlords to keep premises safe, sanitary, and compliant with applicable codes.

County and general context:

• Adams County mapping and land-use context are available on the City’s website, but no county-level STR-specific regulations were identified in the provided sources.

Note on lodging taxes:

• Othello has a Lodging Tax Advisory Committee. If the City imposes a lodging or transient occupancy tax, register and remit as required. Confirm current requirements with Finance.

Contact Information (Authority and Departments)

Building & Planning (licensing and inspections):

• Building & Planning Phone: 509-488-5686
• Building & Planning Email: building@othellowa.gov
• Anne Henning, Community Development Director: 509-331-2710; ahenning@othellowa.gov
• Tim Unruh, Certified Building Inspector: 509-488-5686 ext 113; tunruh@othellowa.gov
• Zuleica Morfin, Permit Tech/Building & Planning Secretary: 509-488-3302; zmorfin@othellowa.gov

Code Enforcement:

• Heather Miller, Code Enforcement Officer: 509-488-3314

Finance (taxes, lodging tax):

• Finance Department: 509-488-5686 (general); confirm specific lodging tax contact/process through the main line.

Public Safety and Emergency:

• Othello Police: dial 911
• Othello Fire Department: dial 911

Hours and location:

• Othello City Hall: 500 E Main St, Othello, WA 99344
• Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Links to Source Pages

• City of Othello: Building & Planning – Rental Housing Licensing & Safety Inspection Program. www.othellowa.gov/departments/BuildingPlanning/RentalHousingLicensingSafetyInspectionProgram
• Othello Municipal Code (OMC) 4.40 – Rental Housing Licensing & Safety Inspection Program. www.codepublishing.com/WA/Othello/#!/Othello04/Othello0440.html#4.40
• Washington State RCW 59.18 (Landlord–Tenant Act). app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=59.18
• Housing Action Plan (June 2021) – background on housing policy and Lodging Tax Advisory Committee reference. www.othellowa.gov/media/Building-and-Planning/Housing%20Action%20Plan/Revised%20Housing%20Action%20Plan%20June%202021.pdf

Practical Compliance Checklist for Othello STRs

• Register each STR unit under OMC 4.40 with a completed Rental Housing License Application.
• Complete and pass the City’s safety inspection every three years. Keep the certificate/inspection record on file and readily available for tenants and inspectors.
• Provide tenants with the City’s Landlord-to-Tenant Notification (English/Spanish) upon occupancy.
• Confirm and comply with any local lodging/sales tax registrations and remittances (Finance Department).
• Maintain habitability and safety per RCW 59.18.060 (e.g., working smoke detectors, safe egress, sanitation, heat/hot water).
• If you renovate or change occupancy/fire-life safety features, obtain the necessary building permits and approvals before re-renting.
• Post emergency contacts, house rules, and occupancy limits. Address noise, parking, and other community standards to avoid code enforcement actions.
• Keep organized records: license applications, inspection reports, tenant notices, tax filings/remittances, and correspondence with the City.

Notes and Gaps to Verify

• Lodging tax: Confirm whether Othello currently levies a lodging or transient occupancy tax, the registration process, rate, and remittance rules with the Finance Department.
• Business license: Verify whether the City requires any local business license for STR operators.
• Zoning and occupancy: Clarify whether any zoning or occupancy limitations apply to your STR property (e.g., in multifamily buildings or specific zones) with Building & Planning.
• Future STR-specific rules: Othello may consider or adopt STR-specific regulations in the future. Monitor City Council/Planning Commission agendas and ordinances.

If you follow the Rental Housing Licensing Program, state habitability standards, and any applicable tax obligations, you will meet the explicit regulatory requirements currently identified for short-term rentals in Othello, WA.