Port Townsend, Washington Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Port Townsend?

Yes, short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in Port Townsend, WA and Jefferson County. The city has established a comprehensive regulatory framework for short-term rentals operating under two distinct classifications: "Bed and Breakfast Inns" and "Tourist Homes." Both are considered short-term rentals offering lodging for 29 consecutive calendar days or less. Jefferson County has also recently updated its short-term rental regulations with new requirements effective April 2025.

Key Differentiation:

Port Townsend City Limits: Governed by City Ordinance 3172 (2017) and PTMC Chapter 17.57
Unincorporated Jefferson County: Governed by updated Jefferson County Code (JCC) 18.20.210(3) adopted April 2025
State-Level: Washington Department of Health regulates transient accommodations with 3+ units

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in This Market

City of Port Townsend (Within City Limits)

Step 1: Determine Your STR Classification

Bed and Breakfast Inn: Central kitchen, primary residence for owner/operator, offers guest rooms with potential food service
Tourist Home: Primary residence for owners, maximum two guest rooms with shared common entry

Step 2: Secure Primary Residency Verification

Must demonstrate property is your primary residence through:
- State driver's license or ID
- Voter registration
- Other state/federal agency documents

Step 3: Property Assessment & Preparation

Confirm single-family detached residence (not duplex/triplex/fourplex)
Verify building compliance with International Building Code standards
Plan for required parking modifications if needed
Consider Historic Preservation Committee requirements if in National Landmark Historic District

Step 4: Conditional Use Permit Process

Submit application to Development Services Department
Complete life safety inspection
Pay applicable fees (see fee schedule below)
Owner must be on-site during rental periods

Step 5: Business Licensing

Obtain City Business License after permit approval
License number required on all advertisements
Post license inside building

Jefferson County (Unincorporated Areas)

Step 1: Application Submission

Complete 4-part application process:
- Standard Permit Application
- STR Supplemental Application
- STR Pre-Inspection Checklist
- Email to NAkins@co.jefferson.wa.us or deliver to DCD

Step 2: Capacity & Zoning Verification

Confirm property zoning allows STRs (Rural Residential, Rural Village Center, Resource Lands)
Verify septic capacity (120 GPD per bedroom)
Ensure only one STR permit per operator county-wide

Step 3: Inspection & Payment

Pay application fee upon invoice
Schedule fire/life safety inspection through Office of Fire Marshal
Complete annual renewal requirements

Step 4: Compliance Monitoring

Display permit number on all rental platforms
Maintain annual inspection schedule
Monitor local zoning and cap restrictions

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Port Townsend City Requirements

Land Use Permits:

Minor Conditional Use Permit: $898.36 (within existing building)
- $672.00 base fee + $10.00 record retention + $15.36 tech fee
- $96.00 life safety inspection + $30.00 sign deposit + $75.00 noticing
Major Conditional Use Permit: $3,410.92 (adding to/existing building)
- $2,400.00 base fee + $10.00 record retention + $49.92 tech fee
- $96.00 life safety inspection + $30.00 sign deposit + $75.00 mailing
- $150.00 paper notice + $100.00 second notice + $500.00 hearing examiner fee
Pre-Application Conference: $480.00 (required before Major CUP)

Additional City Permits (if applicable):

Minor Improvement Permit (driveway/parking): $206.50
Fire Protection Permit (sprinkler systems for 3+ stories)
Building Permit (structural changes)
Sign Permit (if signage exceeds 3 sq ft)

Business License:

Annual fee: $25.00
Must post inside building
License number required on all advertisements

State/County Requirements:

Jefferson County Public Health Food License (if offering food)
Washington State Transient Accommodation Permit (3+ units): Contact (360) 705-6788

Jefferson County Requirements

Application Components:

Standard Permit Application
STR Supplemental Application
Jefferson County STR Pre-Inspection Checklist
Site plan, floor plan, and septic O&M report

Fees (2025):

Initial STR permit: $862.00
Annual renewal: $252.00
Additional inspection fees as required

Annual Requirements:

Yearly renewal application (30 days before expiration)
Annual fire/life safety inspection
Compliance monitoring

Specific Regulations by Jurisdiction

Port Townsend Municipal Code (PTMC) Chapter 17.57

Allowed Uses:

Bed and Breakfast Inns: Conditional use in residential zones, permitted in C-III
Tourist Homes: Conditional use in residential zones, permitted in C-III

Operational Restrictions:

Kitchen Facilities: No kitchens in guest rooms; mini-fridge (≤5 cubic feet) and microwave allowed
Occupancy: Maximum 2 adults per bedroom (no limit on children under 18)
Owner Presence: Tourist home owner must be on-site during rental periods
Common Entry: Required shared entry between primary residence and rental area
Appearance: Must maintain residential character (colors, materials, signage, lighting)
Exits: All bedrooms require egress window or door

Parking Requirements:

Minimum: 1 space per sleeping room + 2 spaces for single-family residence
Maximum: 1 space per sleeping room + 2 spaces for single-family residence
Space dimensions: 9' wide × 19' long minimum
Must be entirely on same lot as tourist home
Historic structures comply with PTMC 17.72.130

Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Rules:

Tourist home allowed on same property as ADU
No STR allowed within ADU
Tourist home cannot be within ADU structure

Signage:

Maximum 3 square feet wall sign on residential building
Larger signage requires approved sign permit
Business license number required on all advertisements

Jefferson County Code (JCC) 18.20.210(3)

Definitions:

Short-term rental: <30 nights, SFR or ADU rental
One permit per operator county-wide
Only one unit may be rented if both SFR and ADU exist

Geographic Restrictions:

Allowed zones: Rural Residential (1:5, 1:10, 1:20), Rural Village Center, Resource Lands (Agriculture/Forest)
Port Ludlow MPR: Only allowed in Resource Complex (MPR-RC/CF) area
4% Cap: County-wide cap based on housing stock per zip code
Master Planned Resorts exempt from cap but still require permits

Capacity Limits:

Determined by septic capacity: 120 GPD per bedroom
Maximum 2 people per bedroom based on septic design
Examples: 2-bedroom septic = 240 GPD = 4-person maximum

Operational Requirements:

No outdoor signage except small ID placard
Parking must be entirely on-site
No STRs in temporary/portable structures (boats, tents, yurts, RVs)
Must not exceed property's septic capacity
Prevent unreasonable disturbances to neighbors
Permit number display on all platforms

Compliance & Enforcement:

Annual permit renewal required
Yearly inspections for safety/habitability
Existing STRs may continue under new rules if renewed and compliant
Waitlist when 4% cap reached in zip code

Washington State Requirements

Transient Accommodation Permit:

Required for properties with 3+ lodging units
Contact Washington State Department of Health: (360) 705-6788
Applies to both city and county properties meeting criteria

Contact Information

City of Port Townsend

Development Services Department (DSD)

Physical Address: 250 Madison Street, Suite 3, Port Townsend, WA 98368
Phone: (360) 385-0644
Land Use Specialist: Suzanne Wassmer
Email: swassmer@cityofpt.us
Building Inspections: (360) 379-5095

Business Licensing:

Website: www.cityofpt.us/finance/businesslicense.html

Jefferson County Public Health (Food Licensing)

Phone: (360) 385-9444

Jefferson County

Department of Community Development (DCD)

Physical Address: 621 Sheridan St, Port Townsend, WA 98368
Hours: M-Th 9-4:30 (Closed 12-1)
Email: NAkins@co.jefferson.wa.us
Planning Email: planning@co.jefferson.wa.us
Director: Josh Peters

Office of the Fire Marshal

Contact through DCD for STR inspections

Washington State

Department of Health - Transient Accommodations

Phone: (360) 705-6788

Source Documents and Links

Note: Port Townsend has its own separate regulations from Jefferson County. Properties within city limits follow city regulations, while properties in unincorporated county areas follow county regulations. Always verify your specific property location before beginning the permitting process.

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