Note on scope: Pacific Beach is an unincorporated community in Pacific County. The county’s vacation rental ordinance is the primary regulatory framework applicable to Pacific Beach. There is no separate city-level permitting system for Pacific Beach.

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

Yes. Short-term rentals (STRs) are allowed in Pacific Beach (Pacific County) subject to Pacific County’s Short Term Vacation Rental Policies and related ordinances. In practical terms:

• The County defines short-term vacation rentals as single-family dwellings or accessory residential units used for transient occupancy of 30 days or fewer.
• STRs must comply with zoning, occupancy, safety, road access, floor plan, septic, and density requirements.
• There are no city-specific Pacific Beach STR rules; all requirements are County-based.

Given that Pacific Beach lies within Pacific County’s regulatory domain, investors should plan on obtaining the County’s Vacation Rental License and adhering to its policies, as well as state-level requirements (notably business registration and lodging/sales taxes).

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Pacific Beach (Pacific County)

1. Secure a Property That Meets Zoning and Site Standards

• Confirm zoning allows STRs at the intended location.
• Validate road access meets Pacific County Road Standards (Resolution No. 99-089). Private lanes/driveways must maintain a minimum 20-foot side-to-side clearance per Uniform Fire Code standards.
• If on septic, ensure the on-site sewage system can support intended occupancy (see Board of Health Ordinance No. 3E; design standard uses 2 persons per bedroom).

2. Assemble Required Documentation

• Pre-application waiver.
• Property management plan.
• Floor-plan checklist and accurate floor plan (drawn to scale) identifying sleeping areas, posted in the rental and approved by the Building Division prior to permit issuance.
• Operation, maintenance, and inspection plan.
• Permit/license application.
• Site plan checklist and site plan.
• Name, contact information, and 24/7 availability details for the Local Point of Contact who resides within one hour of the site.
• For existing rentals (prior to 01/01/2020): submit an accurate-to-scale floor plan prior to receiving a 2021 license.

3. Submit Application to Pacific County

• Submit the full package (above) to Pacific County Department of Community Development (DCD). An initial Fire & Life (F/L) safety inspection is required prior to issuance of the initial permit and before each annual renewal.

4. Pay Permit Fees

• Permitted-use areas: $975.
• Conditional-use areas: $2,175. These fees cover technology, application, zoning, and license charges. Given the higher fees in conditional zones, many operators target permitted-use areas for better economics.

5. Prepare the Property and Operational Plan

• Post the approved floor plan in a visible location within the rental.
• Set house rules for noise, trash, parking, and guest conduct to minimize complaints and maintain neighborhood compatibility.
• Designate a Local Point of Contact able to respond immediately to issues (garbage, disturbances), regardless of time of day.

6. Comply with State and County Obligations

• Register with the Washington Department of Revenue as a lodging provider and set up state sales and lodging tax accounts (short-term rentals are lodging subject to sales and lodging taxes).
• Understand that Pacific County may have local lodging taxes; always verify the most current rate and remittance requirements.
• Maintain documentation for County inspections (initial and bi-annual) and for state tax filings.

7. Launch, Monitor, and Renew

• Display the County license number (if required) in listings as applicable.
• Maintain occupancy limits and other operational constraints (see “Regulations” below).
• Plan for bi-annual County Fire & Life safety inspections and annual license renewal.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

• Pacific County Vacation Rental License
  • Application packet (see: Pacific County DCD Vacation Rental License Application Packet: www.co.pacific.wa.us/dcd/images/Vac%20Rentals/VAC%20RENTAL%20APP%20PACKET.pdf).
• County-Required Submittals
  • Pre-application waiver.
  • Property management plan.
  • Floor-plan checklist and approved floor plan (posted in the rental).
  • Operation, maintenance, and inspection plan.
  • Permit/license application.
  • Site plan checklist and site plan.
• Inspections
  • Initial Fire & Life (F/L) safety inspection by the Pacific County Building Division (prior to permit issuance).
  • Bi-annual F/L safety inspection prior to renewal.
• State of Washington
  • Department of Revenue business registration and tax setup for lodging/sales taxes.

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals in Pacific County (Applicable to Pacific Beach)

Definitions and Authorities

• Short Term Vacation Rentals: single-family residential dwelling or accessory residential unit used for transient occupancy of 30 days or fewer.
• Occupancy classification: County Building Department classifies vacation rentals as Residential Group R-3 (or R-1 depending on occupancy and number of units), following the International Building Code (IBC) and International Residential Code (IRC) pathways for design and life safety.
• On-site sewage: Pacific County Board of Health Ordinance No. 3E governs on-site sewage treatment and disposal (septic). Design standard is 2 persons per bedroom; changes to occupancy can require septic evaluation.

Local Point of Contact

• Must reside within one hour (travel time) of the vacation rental site.
• Responsible for responding immediately to complaints (e.g., garbage, unruly guests) and for remedying non-compliance, regardless of time of day.

Occupancy Limits

• Maximum: 2 overnight occupants per bedroom plus 2 additional occupants (total cap of 10 occupants at any time; occupants include all individuals over age 2).
• Must not advertise occupancy exceeding permitted limits.
• Occupancy limits interact with septic design flows (2 persons per bedroom), so plan bedroom count accordingly.

Public Notice

• For applications requiring public hearing, the Director will post a 2’ x 2’ sign on three perimeter locations of the subject property.
• Written notice to all property owners within 300 feet of all property lines.

Road Standards

• Minimum 20-foot horizontal clearance between obstructions on private lanes/driveways.
• Road access must meet minimum Pacific County Road Standards (Resolution No. 99-089).

Floor Plan Requirements

• Accurate, to-scale floor plan identifying bed locations in all sleeping areas; required at initial application.
• Approved plan must be posted visibly in the rental.
• Changes require resubmittal and approval; may trigger F/L inspection at the Building Division’s discretion.
• Existing rentals (prior to 01/01/2020) must submit accurate-to-scale floor plans prior to receiving a 2021 license.

Fire & Life Safety Inspections

• Initial inspection prior to initial permit issuance.
• Bi-annual inspection prior to license renewal.
• Performed by Pacific County Building Division.

Density Limitations

• In R-1, R-2, and R-R zoning districts (and equivalents), vacation rentals must be at least 500 feet from all dwellings/residences operating as a vacation rental (measurement from building).
• Only one vacation rental per parcel; either an accessory dwelling or primary residence may be licensed, not both.

Parking (County/Local Guidance)

• Ensure sufficient off-street parking for guests to avoid congestion and neighborhood impacts (common County expectation).

Neighborhood Compatibility

• Vacation rentals must not disrupt the neighborhood. House rules should cover noise, trash, and traffic. Owners/operators are expected to make reasonable efforts to address issues and maintain good community relations.

Washington State-Level Requirements (Apply Across the State, Including Pacific County)

• Registration and Taxes
  • Register with the Washington Department of Revenue for lodging/sales tax if you offer short-term rentals (≤ 30-day stays).
  • Collect and remit applicable sales taxes and lodging taxes. Rates vary by location; verify current state, county, and any local lodging tax rates.
• Health and Safety
  • Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, emergency information, safe living environment. While specifics are County-driven, state health and safety norms apply.
• Noise and Nuisance
  • Observe local noise ordinances (if any) and community standards to minimize disturbances and avoid enforcement actions.
• Insurance
  • Maintain adequate property and liability coverage appropriate for short-term rental operations.
• Rental Agreements and House Rules
  • Use comprehensive rental agreements and house rules (occupancy, quiet hours, parking, pets, trash, etc.).

Note on Local Lodging Taxes

• County and local lodging taxes apply in addition to state sales/lodging taxes and vary by location and time. Confirm current rates and remittance protocols with the Department of Revenue and County DCD before launching.

Contact Information (Phone, Email, Website) — Local Authority in Charge of STRs

Pacific County Department of Community Development (DCD)

• Addresses:
  • 1216 W. Robert Bush Dr., PO Box 68, South Bend, WA 98586
  • 7013 Sandridge Rd., Long Beach, WA 98631
• Phone: 360-875-9356 (South Bend); 360-642-9382 (Long Beach)
• Fax: 360-875-9304 (South Bend); 360-642-9387 (Long Beach)
• Website: www.co.pacific.wa.us/dcd/

For investment and property management support on the Long Beach Peninsula (Pacific County)

• Pacific Realty Property Management
  • Phone: 360-642-3127
  • Phone (Property Management): 360-642-4549
  • Email: info@pacreal.com
  • Email (Property Management): prpm@pacreal.com
  • Website: pacificrealtyrentals.com/
  • Mailing Address: PO Box 397, Long Beach, WA 98631
  • Office: 102 Bolstad Ave E, Long Beach, WA 98631

Links to Source Pages (Official)

• Pacific County DCD Vacation Rental License Application Packet: www.co.pacific.wa.us/dcd/images/Vac%20Rentals/VAC%20RENTAL%20APP%20PACKET.pdf
• Pacific County Short Term Vacation Rental Policies (Mar 5, 2020 Draft): www.co.pacific.wa.us/dcd/images/PC/2020.03.05%20Draft%20Vac%20Rental%20Policy.pdf
• Pacific County DCD (main site/authority portal): www.co.pacific.wa.us/dcd/
• Pacific Realty Property Management (local PM reference): pacificrealtyrentals.com/
• State-level overview (for context only; consult official WA DOR for current rules): www.igms.com/airbnb-regulations-by-state/
• State-level guidance article (for context only; verify with official sources): recreationstays.com/blog/washington-state-regulations-every-vacation-rental-owner-should-know/

Practical Checklist for Investors

• Confirm zoning and road access on target parcel (20-foot clearance; access meets Resolution No. 99-089).
• Evaluate septic capacity relative to intended bedroom count (2 persons per bedroom standard).
• Engage a local property manager or designate a Local Point of Contact within one hour.
• Prepare complete application package (floor plan, site plan, management/inspection plans).
• Submit to County and schedule the initial F/L inspection.
• Budget for permit fees ($975 permitted-use; $2,175 conditional-use).
• Register with WA Department of Revenue and set up lodging/sales tax accounts.
• Draft guest-facing house rules to align with occupancy, noise, and parking expectations.
• Plan for bi-annual County inspections and annual license renewal.
• Consider liability insurance and appropriate property coverage for STR operations.

Key Takeaways for Pacific Beach

• STRs are allowed but strictly regulated by Pacific County; there is no separate Pacific Beach licensing.
• Strict occupancy limits, density spacing (500 feet), one STR per parcel, and one STR per bedroom standard for septic are core constraints.
• Success hinges on meticulous compliance with County inspections, accurate floor plans, and a responsive Local Point of Contact, plus state tax registration and remittance.

If you are targeting Pacific Beach for STR investment, align property selection and operations to these County requirements and state tax obligations, and coordinate closely with the Pacific County DCD throughout permitting and ongoing compliance.