Short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in SeaView, Washington, subject to Pacific County and Washington State regulations. There is no city-level ordinance in SeaView. Investors should plan to comply with Pacific County’s Short-Term Vacation Rental Policy and Washington State RCW 64.37.

Allowed Uses in Pacific County

• Single-family residential dwellings and accessory residential dwelling units (ADUs) may be used for short-term rentals.
• The county regulates STRs under Ordinance No. 184 and Building/Fire codes.
• ADUs may be permitted as STRs only if not prohibited by zoning and if they meet structural and life safety standards. Zoning restrictions still apply.

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

1. Verify Zoning and Use Compatibility

   • Confirm that your parcel allows vacation rentals. R-1, R-2, R-R districts have density and spacing rules.
   • If no county-specific rules exist, follow state-level requirements (RCW 64.37).

2. Confirm Septic System Status

   • A current Operations and Maintenance (O&M) inspection is required prior to initial application and every three years thereafter (or more frequently if required by the Health Officer).
   • If the septic system is sub-optimal/failed, complete a repair application and final inspection before the county will issue the STR license.

3. Prepare Fire and Life Safety Compliance

   • Schedule an initial bi-annual Fire and Life Safety inspection (Pacific County Building Division).
   • Ensure egress, smoke/CO detectors, emergency lighting, extinguishers, and posted exit diagrams are in place.

4. Develop Required Documentation

   • Complete the Pacific County Vacation Rental License/Permit Application Packet.
   • Create a Property Management Plan with local point-of-contact details, emergency procedures, garbage service, phone line number, and parking details.

5. Submit Application and Fees

   • Apply as a Special Use (R-R, R-2, RL, MU) or Permitted Use (R-3, C-C, MU-T).
   • Pay application, technology, special use/zoning, and license fees. A Hearings Examiner fee may apply and will be invoiced separately.

6. Public Notice and Neighbor Engagement

   • The county will post a 2’ x 2’ notice on the property perimeter.
   • Written notice will be sent to property owners within 300 feet of the property lines.
   • After license issuance, mail the approved Property Management Plan to neighbors within 300 feet; file an affidavit of mailing with the county.

7. Display and Compliance

   • Post the license and approved Property Management Plan inside the unit near the front entrance.
   • Display the property address visibly from the street/road and maintain a landline phone with local service.

8. Annual Renewal

   • Licenses are issued annually and are non-transferable upon ownership change.
   • Maintain current Fire & Life Safety inspections every two years and Septic O&M inspections every three years.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

• Short-Term Vacation Rental Permit/License Application (Pacific County DCD)
• Pre-Application Waiver or Pre-Application Summary Letter (if a special use review/public hearing is required)
• Septic O&M Inspection Report (current; every three years thereafter)
• Floor Plan Checklist & Plan (to-scale, identifying bed locations, egress routes; resubmit if changes occur)
• Property Management Plan (includes local contact, emergency procedures, garbage service, parking, and phone line)
• Site Plan Checklist & Site Plan (show all existing/proposed structures, wells, drainfields, roads, utilities, easements, wetlands, parking, signage)
• Development Application (for permits and planning)
• Business Registration & State Business License with Unified Business Identifier (UBI) number
• General Liability Insurance Documentation (for the structure used as a vacation rental)
• Affidavit of Mailing (confirming Property Management Plan mailed to neighbors within 300 feet)
• Fire & Life Safety Inspection Report (initial and bi-annual thereafter)

Permits are categorized by use:

• Special Use Permit (R-R, R-2, RL, MU)
• Permitted Use/Planning Permit (R-3, C-C, MU-T)

Fees

• Application Fee: $80.00
• Technology Fee: $15.00
• Special Use Fee: $1,280.00 (Special Use)
• Zoning Fee: $80.00 (Permitted Use)
• License Fee: $800.00
• Hearings Examiner Fee: TBD (invoiced to applicant for services rendered)

Specific Regulations in Pacific County and Washington State

Occupancy Limits:

• Maximum two overnight occupants per bedroom, plus two additional overnight occupants, not exceeding ten total occupants at any time (includes occupants over age two).
• Occupancy cannot be advertised above permitted limits.

Parking:

• One off-street parking space per bedroom; minimum of two spaces required. Show parking areas on the site plan.

Garbage:

• Provision for garbage removal during rental periods must be documented in the Property Management Plan; proof of service may be requested. Resolve complaints immediately.

Appearance:

• Exterior must retain a residential appearance; house numbers visible from the street/road. No junk or garbage accumulation. Park only in designated areas (shown on site plan).

Noise and Nuisance:

• Operate to prevent disturbances not typical of a residential neighborhood: loud music/noises, excessive traffic, loud/uncontrolled parties, junk/debris/garbage accumulation, trespassing, barking dogs, or excess vehicles/boats/RVs parked on streets.

Signage:

• One sign attached to the dwelling or placed in front, no larger than four square feet. No off-premise signage or advertising.

Local Point of Contact:

• Must respond immediately to complaints, including garbage management and unruly tenants, regardless of time of day, and must reside within one hour of the rental site.
• Changes require county approval, revision fee, and remailing to neighbors within 300 feet.

Access and Road Standards:

• Minimum 20-foot side-to-side clearance between obstructions on private lanes/driveways (Uniform Fire Code).
• Road access must meet minimum Pacific County Road Standards and be maintained unobstructed for emergency vehicles.

Pets:

• Secure pets at all times; nuisance barking is prohibited. Horses allowed only in RL, RR, MU, and MU-T zoning districts.

Density Limitations:

• Within R-1, R-2, and R-R zoning districts, vacation rentals must be at least 500 feet apart, measured from the building.
• Only one vacation rental per parcel: either the accessory dwelling or the primary residence, not both.

On-Site Sewage Systems (OSS):

• O&M inspections every three years, or more frequently as determined by the Health Officer.
• Failed/sub-optimal systems require a complete septic repair application and final inspection before license issuance.

Fire & Life Safety:

• Initial and bi-annual Fire & Life Safety inspection by the Pacific County Building Division.
• Requirements include hardwired smoke/CO detectors with battery backup, emergency egress windows (minimum 5.7 sq ft openable area), exit signs and emergency lighting, posted exit diagrams, portable fire extinguishers (2-A:10-B:C rating per floor, max travel 40 feet), posted address, hardwired phone with 911 notice including the premise address.

Floor Plan Requirements:

• Accurate floor plan identifying bed locations, emergency egress windows/doors, and fire exit routes; must be posted inside the unit.
• Changes require resubmittal and approval; an additional inspection/fee may be required.

State Requirements (RCW 64.37):

• Taxes: Remit applicable local, state, and federal taxes; platforms may collect and remit on the operator’s behalf.
• Consumer Safety: Provide contact information to guests; comply with carbon monoxide alarm requirements; post the address, emergency contacts, floor plan with exits, maximum occupancy, and operator/contact info; first violation is a warning; subsequent violations are a civil infraction.
• Platform Registration: Platforms must register with the Department of Revenue; inform operators of tax and safety responsibilities and that personal insurance may not cover short-term rental usage.
• Liability Insurance: Maintain primary liability insurance coverage of at least $1,000,000 or use a platform providing equal/greater coverage.

Contact Information

Pacific County Department of Community Development (DCD) – Planning, Environmental Health, Building

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

For septic O&M inspection licensing and operational permits:

• Use the Operational Permit Application in the packet. O&M inspections are conducted by licensed third-party inspectors.

Washington State Department of Revenue (Platform Registration and Tax Guidance):

• Legislative Hotline: 1-800-562-6000
• TTY: 1-800-833-6388
• Website: leg.wa.gov

Source Links

• Pacific County Vacation Rental Policy (Ordinance No. 184; Building/Fire Codes; BOH Ordinance 3E): www.co.pacific.wa.us/dcd/images/PC/2020.03.05%20Draft%20Vac%20Rental%20Policy.pdf
• Pacific County Vacation Rental License/Permit Application Packet (Ord. No. 194): www.co.pacific.wa.us/dcd/images/Vac%20Rentals/VAC%20RENTAL%20APP%20PACKET.pdf
• Washington State RCW 64.37 Short-Term Rentals: app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=64.37&full=true
• Long Beach Community Development – STRs (reference only): www.longbeach.gov/lbcd/enforcement/strs/