Overview: Are short‑term rentals allowed in South Bend, WA?

Yes. Short‑term rentals are explicitly allowed in the City of South Bend subject to the city’s zoning ordinance and a revocable annual business license. The City’s zoning code (SBMC 15.20.180) classifies short‑term rentals (also called “short‑term vacation rentals”) as a permitted use across zoning districts with a business‑license pathway and life/safety inspection requirements. In practice, investors must secure City business licensing, pass an initial and ongoing inspection, and meet occupancy, parking, and neighborhood compatibility standards.

Note: Because South Bend is located within Pacific County, county regulations also apply to STRs. In some areas the county policy is stricter than the city’s (e.g., density spacing and septic capacity assumptions); investors should plan to meet both sets of requirements and adopt the stricter standard where they differ.

• City zoning STR authority: South Bend Municipal Code (SBMC) 15.20.180
• County STR policy: Pacific County Zoning Ordinance No. 184; Pacific County Building/Fire Code Ordinance No. 151; Pacific County Board of Health (BOH) Ordinance No. 3E

How to start a short‑term rental business in South Bend, WA

• Confirm zoning and land use fit. While SBMC 15.20.180 permits STRs citywide as a licensed use, property‑specific constraints still apply (density limits in surrounding zones, access/road standards, critical areas, and neighborhood compatibility).
• Register the business with the State of Washington and obtain a Unified Business Identifier (UBI) number.
• Obtain a revocable annual business license from the City of South Bend. The license is non‑transferable; new owners must reapply.
• Complete a City life/safety inspection and any required Fire & Life (F/L) safety inspections mandated by the county. The City requires an initial inspection; Pacific County requires initial and bi‑annual inspections thereafter.
• Submit a property management plan that identifies a local point‑of‑contact and addresses garbage, parking, quiet hours, emergency procedures, and complaint response.
• Post required notices in the unit and notify adjoining property owners within 300 feet as a condition of approval.
• Comply with tax obligations: register with the Washington Department of Revenue; set up sales tax and lodging tax collection/remittance; comply with Pacific County’s lodging tax and any City lodging tax if applicable.

Required documents, permits, licenses, and guidelines

• City of South Bend revocable annual business license
  • Initial application and annual renewal
  • Non‑transferable
  • Must be prominently displayed inside the unit near the front entrance
• Washington State business registration
  • State business license and UBI number required at initial application
• Life/safety inspections
  • City: initial inspection prior to license issuance
  • County: initial and bi‑annual Fire & Life (F/L) safety inspections
• Property management plan
  • Required under City code (SBMC 15.20.180.B.12)
  • Must identify local point of contact and response procedures
  • Must include emergency procedures, garbage management, parking plan, and quiet‑hours rules
  • Must be mailed to all adjoining property owners within 300 feet and posted inside the unit
• Proof of general liability insurance for the residential structure used as a vacation rental
• Accurate floor plan(s) with bed locations
  • Submitted at initial application; posted inside the unit
  • Changes require resubmittal/approval and may trigger re‑inspection
• Site plan and road/access plan
  • Access must meet City and County minimum road standards (see “Road standards” below)
• Proof of lodging and sales tax registration (State) and lodging tax compliance (County)
• Public notice and signage
  • City‑required notice language posted in unit
  • One sign up to 4 sq. ft. allowed (attached or in front yard); no off‑premises signage
• Noise, light, and nuisance controls
  • Quiet hours 10 p.m.–8 a.m.; no junk/garbage accumulation; nuisance pet rules
• Parking plan
  • Minimum of two off‑street spaces, plus one space per bedroom, whichever is greater
  • All vehicles must park in designated areas

Specific regulations: City, County, and State

City of South Bend (SBMC 15.20.180)

• License requirement
  • Revocable annual business license; non‑transferable
  • Display license inside the unit with required contact and occupancy information
  • License revocation for violations; appeal rights specified in SBMC
• Occupancy
  • No more than two overnight occupants per bedroom plus two additional overnight occupants
  • Total occupants may not exceed 10 (includes all occupants over age two)
• Appearance and neighborhood compatibility
  • Maintain residential appearance; visible house numbers; no accumulation of junk/garbage
  • Prevent disturbances not typical of residential neighborhoods (loud music, excessive traffic, parties, etc.)
• Garbage
  • Provide documented removal plan; resolve complaints immediately
• Pets
  • Secure pets at all times; nuisance barking prohibited
• Phone service
  • Vacation rental must have a land line with local service; include number in the management plan
• Parking
  • One off‑street space per bedroom; minimum of two off‑street spaces required
• Signage
  • One sign ≤ 4 sq. ft. (attached or placed in front); no off‑premises signs
• Density/access
  • Only one residential structure on a parcel may be licensed as a vacation rental (e.g., not both a primary dwelling and an accessory unit at the same time)
  • Road access must meet City standards; remain unobstructed for emergency vehicles
• Property management
  • Submit a management plan; mail to adjoining owners within 300 ft; post in unit
• Complaints
  • First contact the local point‑of‑contact; if unresolved, file written complaint with the City; owner must respond with corrective actions within 10 days
• Compliance and revocation
  • Three or more violations within one calendar year (related to the same STR or other city ordinances) triggers license revocation
  • Revocation prohibits obtaining a new license for at least one year
  • Appeals follow SBMC Chapter 3.13

Pacific County (Vacation Rental Policy)

• Authority and definitions
  • Pacific County Zoning Ordinance No. 184; Building/Fire Code Ordinance No. 151
  • Residential Group R occupancy classification under IBC; vacation rentals may use IRC design standards
  • “Short Term Vacation Rental” = single‑family or accessory residential dwelling used for transient occupancy (30 days or less)
• Local point‑of‑contact
  • Must be able to respond immediately to complaints (garbage, unruly tenants, etc.), regardless of time of day, and must reside within one hour travel time from the site
• Occupancy limits
  • Regardless of zoning: max two overnight occupants per bedroom plus two additional; total not to exceed 10 occupants (includes all over age two)
  • Aligns with City rules
• Public notice
  • In addition to the City’s noticing, County directs posting a 2’x2’ sign in three perimeter locations and written notice to all property owners within 300 feet of all property lines
• Road standards
  • Minimum 20‑foot horizontal clearance between obstructions along access routes (Uniform Fire Code standard)
  • Road access must meet minimum County road standards (Resolution No. 99‑089)
• Floor plan requirements
  • Accurate, to‑scale floor plans identifying bed locations required at initial application and posted in the unit
  • Changes require resubmittal/approval and may require inspection
• Fire & Life (F/L) safety inspection
  • Initial inspection prior to initial permit issuance
  • Bi‑annual inspection prior to annual license renewal
• Density limitations
  • Within R‑1, R‑2, and R‑R zones: 500‑foot separation measured from building to any other dwelling/residence operating as a vacation rental
  • Only one vacation rental per parcel (primary or accessory unit; not both)
• On‑site sewage (BOH Ordinance No. 3E)
  • Septic design flows assume two persons per bedroom (Section 13.2.4 BOH 3E)
  • Applies to both incorporated and unincorporated areas of Pacific County

State of Washington (general business/tax requirements)

• Business registration
  • Register the vacation rental with the Washington Department of Revenue (DOR)
  • Obtain a state business license and UBI number
• Taxes
  • Sales tax applies to transient lodging charges as applicable in Pacific County
  • Washington State and Pacific County lodging taxes apply; investors must collect/remit lodging taxes and related tourism taxes where applicable
  • Retailing Business & Occupation (B&O) tax applies; small business tax credits (types 720/815) may be available subject to DOR thresholds

Contact information (phone, email, website)

• Pacific County Department of Community Development (DCD) – Building Division
  • Main Office (South Bend): 1216 W. Robert Bush Dr., PO Box 68, South Bend, WA 98586
    • Phone: 360.875.9356
    • Fax: 360.875.9304
  • Long Beach Office: 7013 Sandridge Rd., Long Beach, WA 98631
    • Phone: 360.642.9382
    • Fax: 360.642.9387
  • Email: building@co.pacific.wa.us
  • Website: www.co.pacific.wa.us/dcd/ (permits/licensing)
  • For vacation rental licensing, DCD provides application packets and guidance (see county PDF in sources)
• City of South Bend – Licensing/Administration
  • City Hall (general contact): 1108 First St., South Bend, WA 98586
    • Phone: 360.875.5000
    • Website: www.southbendwa.gov/
  • Note: For city business licensing inquiries, use City Hall as the first point of contact; the City Engineer/Building Inspector administers inspections per SBMC

Source links

• Pacific County Vacation Rental Policy (official PDF): www.co.pacific.wa.us/dcd/images/PC/2020.03.05%20Draft%20Vac%20Rental%20Policy.pdf
• City of South Bend Zoning Ordinance (SBMC 15.20 – includes 15.20.180 STR section): www.codepublishing.com/WA/SouthBend/html/SouthBend15/SouthBend1520.html
• Pacific County Lodging Tax Ordinance No. 143: www.co.pacific.wa.us/ordres/ORD%20143%20LTAC.pdf
• Washington Department of Revenue – small business tax credits (B&O 720/815): dor.wa.gov/taxes-rates/tax-incentives/credits#SBC
• City of South Bend official website: www.southbendwa.gov/

Compliance checklist for investors

• Confirm parcel‑level zoning suitability and any density constraints in surrounding areas (county 500‑foot rule in certain districts)
• Register with WA State (UBI) and set up DOR accounts for sales/lodging taxes
• Apply for City business license; schedule City inspection
• Submit County application and schedule initial and bi‑annual County inspections
• Prepare and submit property management plan; mail to adjoining owners within 300 feet; post in unit
• Finalize floor plan and site plan; ensure road access meets City/County standards
• Obtain liability insurance; post required notices and signage
• Establish local point‑of‑contact procedures for 24/7 complaint response
• Set up housekeeping, garbage, and quiet‑hours protocols; document and train

By aligning with both City and County regulations—and adopting the stricter rule where they differ—investors can operate a compliant, neighbor‑friendly short‑term rental in South Bend while minimizing licensing risk and maximizing operational continuity.