Redmond, Washington Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

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

YES — Short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in Redmond, WA. The city has established comprehensive regulations for short-term rental operations and is currently updating these regulations to prepare for increased demand from the 2026 World Cup tourism surge.

The City of Redmond defines short-term rentals in accordance with Washington State Revised Code (RCW) 64.37.010 as lodging use that is not a hotel, motel, or bed-and-breakfast, in which a dwelling unit, or portion thereof, is offered or provided to guests by a short-term rental operator for fewer than thirty consecutive nights.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Redmond

Phase 1: Eligibility Assessment

Verify your property type and zoning compliance
Confirm your operation meets the legal definition of a short-term rental under RCW 64.37.010
Determine whether your operation qualifies for any exemptions (owner-occupied with fewer than three rooms rented, or charitable organizations)

Phase 2: Licensing Requirements

Currently required:

Washington State Business License (existing requirement)
City of Redmond Business License (proposed for Q4 2025, currently voluntary but recommended)

Proposed licensing structure:

Multifamily/Mixed-Use Developments: One business license per operator regardless of unit count
Single-Family/Accessory Dwelling Units: One business license per individually addressed STR unit

Phase 3: Operational Preparation

Review and implement consumer safety requirements per RCW 64.37.030
Prepare communication protocols for guests, neighbors, and city officials
Develop property management systems for safety and compliance

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Current Requirements

Business Licensing

Washington State Business License

Required for engaging in business activities
Must be obtained before operating any short-term rental

Redmond Business License (Proposed Mandatory by Q4 2025)

Fee: $153.00 (2025 rate)
Renewal: Annual
Application Process: Through Redmond's Business Licensing webpage
Regulation Reference: Redmond Municipal Code (RMC) 5.04.040.A

Safety and Compliance Documentation

Consumer Safety Checklist (RCW 64.37.030)

Original copy with property owner signature
Must be submitted to Director of Planning and Community Development for new and renewal applications
Requires compliance with RCW 19.27.530 for carbon monoxide alarms

Required Posted Information (Within each STR unit):

Short-term rental street address
Emergency contact information for police, fire, and emergency medical services
Floor plan indicating fire exits and escape routes
Maximum occupancy limits
Operator contact information

Proposed Additional Requirements

Communication Framework

Neighbor Notification Protocol

Provide contact information to immediate neighbors
Establish communication channels for guest inquiries during stay

City Relationship Requirements

Regular communication with city officials
Participation in city economic development initiatives
Compliance with tourism promotion guidelines

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

City of Redmond Regulations (RMC Chapter 5.04)

Current Business License Exemptions

Apartment/condominium residential rental activities with four or fewer units at one location
Single-family residential rental activities with four or fewer units at one location

Important: The proposed amendments would remove STR exemptions from this provision.

Operating Standards

Permit Requirements

Permits are personal and non-transferable
City may revoke permits for code violations or fee non-payment

Property Standards

Must comply with all applicable building and health codes
No external signage permitted on STR premises
Maximum occupancy of three guests per bedroom (age 3+)

Nuisance Prevention

Must comply with RMC 9.42.015 (Public Disturbance Noises)
Quiet hours: 10 p.m. to 8 a.m.
Weekly solid waste collection required

Parking Requirements

One off-street parking space per STR unit (in addition to on-site requirements)
Must identify suitable parking for guests
Limited-duration parking compliance

Zoning Compliance

STRs permitted in residential zones when meeting all requirements
May not obstruct other permitted uses in zone
Only one residential structure per property may operate as STR (when both primary and accessory dwellings exist)

King County Regulations

No additional King County-specific STR regulations identified in provided sources.

Washington State Regulations (RCW 64.37)

State Definition Requirements

Primary Definition (RCW 64.37.010):

Lodging use not classified as hotel, motel, or bed-and-breakfast
Dwelling unit or portion offered for fee
Stays fewer than thirty consecutive nights

Exemptions (RCW 64.37.010(9)(b)):

Owner-occupied dwellings with fewer than three rooms rented (minimum six months occupancy required)
Dwelling units used by same person for thirty or more consecutive nights
Charitable organizations providing temporary housing for medical treatment

Consumer Safety Requirements (RCW 64.37.030)

Mandatory Guest Information:

Contact information available during entire guest stay
Compliance with RCW 19.27.530 for carbon monoxide alarms
Posted information in conspicuous location

Violation Process:

First violation: Warning letter required
Subsequent violations: Class 2 civil infraction under RCW 7.80

Platform Compliance (RCW 64.37.040)

STR platforms must inform operators of tax collection and remittance responsibilities
Platforms may collect/remit taxes on behalf of operators

Enforcement and Penalties

Redmond Municipal Code Enforcement (RMC 5.04.110)

Operating Without License:

Violation for each day of operation
100% penalty of licensing fee due
Enforcement by police officers, code compliance officers, or designated persons

Penalty Mitigation:

Finance director may waive penalties for "excusable neglect or extreme hardship"

Contact Information for Local Authority

Primary Contacts

Kimberly Dietz, Principal Planner

Phone: 425-556-2415
Email: kdietz@redmond.gov
Role: Lead planner for STR regulations and community engagement

Philly Marsh, Economic Development Manager

Email: Contact through city directory
Role: Tourism and economic development coordination

General City Contacts

Main Phone: 425-556-2900
Address: 15670 NE 85th Street, P.O. Box 97010, Redmond, WA 98073-9710
Online Services: redmond.gov/311 for non-emergency issues and service requests

Business Licensing

Webpage: www.redmond.gov/230/Business-Licensing
Contact: Business Licensing Coordinator
Location: Economic Development Department

Tourism and Economic Development

Webpage: redmond.gov/324
Contact: Economic Development staff
Services: Tourism promotion, visitor information resources

Links to Source Pages

Tourism and Economic Development

Experience Redmond Tourism: experienceredmond.com/
Tourism Program: www.redmond.gov/324

External Reference (Third-Party Summary)

Guestable Blog (Alternative Overview): www.guestable.com/blog/short-term-rental-regulations-in-the-city-of-redmond/

Important Note: The Guestable blog contains some outdated information from 2021 and should not be used as primary guidance. Always reference official city and state sources for current regulations.

Additional Municipal Documents

Proposed Code Amendments: www.redmond.gov/DocumentCenter/View/39672/Chapter-504-RMC-with-comments
Updated STR Guide: www.redmond.gov/DocumentCenter/View/39671/Short-Term-Rental-Guide

Disclaimer: Regulations are subject to change as the City Council completes its review process in Q4 2025. Current and potential operators should verify requirements with city officials before commencing operations. The city anticipates final council action on proposed amendments in December 2025, with implementation following adoption.

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