Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Washougal?

Short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in Washougal, Washington. However, they are only permitted as an accessory use to a primary residence, and the operator must be physically onsite during rental periods. Non-primary residences (such as second homes or vacation homes) cannot be used for short-term rentals in the city. This structure balances residential character with the ability to operate a compliant bed and breakfast or STR under a Minor Conditional Use Permit. Investors should plan with these constraints in mind: your STR must be your principal home, and you must be present during guest stays. Source: Washougal STR/Bed & Breakfast guidance and city code references.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Washougal

Use the following sequence to launch legally and efficiently:

1. Verify Zoning Eligibility

• Determine the zoning designation of your property to confirm STRs can be considered under a Minor Conditional Use Permit. Note: the city may approve bed and breakfast and STRs in most zoning designations with a Minor CUP. Check zoning via the county GIS mapping tool. Source: zoning guidance and property search tool.

2. Confirm You Meet Operational Criteria

• The property must be your primary residence, and you must be physically onsite during the rental period.
• Up to four bedrooms may be reserved for overnight guests, with a maximum of four guests per bedroom.
• Food service (if offered) must be for overnight guests only; banquets, parties, weddings, and meetings for guests and non-family members are prohibited.
• Two off-street parking spaces plus one additional off-street space for each rented bedroom; the extra spaces must be screened from view by a fully sight-obscuring 6-foot fence (wood, brick, or stone).
• Landscaping standards apply: a landscape strip along perimeter side and rear yards with live ground cover and street trees every 30 feet, plus evergreen bushes between trees. Source: operational standards and buffer/landscaping references.

3. Secure the Required Permits and Licenses

• File a Minor Conditional Use Permit (CUP) application with the City of Washougal Planning division.
• Obtain State and City business licenses (Unified Business Identifier from Washington Department of Revenue; apply through the state business portal).
• If offering three or more lodging units, obtain a Transient Accommodations License from the Washington State Department of Health. Source: city permit requirements; state DOH and Department of Revenue.

4. Plan Review and Fees

• Submit plans and descriptions as required by the CUP application. Application fees follow the “Conditional Use – Minor” category under Planning and Development application fees. Verify current fee amounts in the referenced fee schedule. Source: fee schedule reference.

5. Compliance and Ongoing Obligations

• Maintain compliance with noise and parking rules; violations can result in enforcement and potential revocation of operating privileges.
• Collect and remit applicable sales, lodging, and business taxes per state and local requirements.
• Engage with Code Compliance for any questions or concerns. Source: Code Compliance contact and authority.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

• Minor Conditional Use Permit application (City of Washougal).
• Planning and Development application fee payment (Conditional Use – Minor).
• Washington State business license (Unified Business Identifier from the Department of Revenue).
• City business license/registration (as required by Washougal).
• Transient Accommodations License (Washington State Department of Health), required only if offering three or more lodging units.
• Property information showing zoning eligibility (via Clark County GIS).
• Documentation that the property is the applicant’s primary residence.
• Parking and landscaping plans demonstrating compliance with screening and buffer standards.
• Optional reference: Good Neighbor Handbook for local best practices. Sources: permit application; business licensing references; DOH transient accommodations; fee schedule; property search; Good Neighbor Handbook.

City, County, and State Regulations Specific to Washougal and Washington

City of Washougal (Primary Residence STR/Bed & Breakfast)

• Primary residence requirement: The home listed or used for STR must be the primary residence of the operator, who must be physically onsite during rental periods. Operation in a second home or vacation home is prohibited; STRs must be accessory to primary residence use.
• Capacity: Up to four bedrooms for overnight guests; maximum of four guests per bedroom.
• Food service: If provided, it must be for overnight guests only.
• Events: Banquets, parties, weddings, and meetings for guests and other non-family members are prohibited.
• Parking: Two off-street parking spaces plus one additional off-street space per rented bedroom; additional spaces must be screened from view by a fully sight-obscuring 6-foot fence (wood, brick, or stone).
• Landscaping/buffers: A landscape strip along perimeter side and rear yards with live ground cover, street trees every 30 feet, and evergreen bushes between trees.
• Permitting: Allowed in most zoning designations with an approved Minor Conditional Use Permit. Source: city STR page and municipal code references.

County/Regional Context

• Clark County GIS property tools are used to verify zoning and property information. Source: GIS property search.
• For broader county-level STR rules, consult Clark County’s official code and planning resources; ensure any county-specific requirements align with the city’s Minor CUP process. Source: general county codes reference.

State of Washington (Licensing and Tax Requirements)

• Business licensing: Obtain a Unified Business Identifier (UBI) and register the business; follow the Department of Revenue’s application process.
• Transient Accommodations License: Required if offering three or more lodging units to guests; issued by the Washington State Department of Health.
• Taxes: Hosts must collect and remit applicable sales and lodging taxes; special hotel/motel taxes may apply depending on jurisdiction. Specific rates and filing obligations vary by locality. Source: Department of Revenue (business licensing), Washington State Department of Health (transient accommodations).

Operational Best Practices

• Enforce quiet hours and parking limits; screen parking as required.
• Maintain clear guest communications and community-friendly policies to reduce complaints and regulatory risk.
• Use the city’s Good Neighbor Handbook as a reference for community standards. Source: Good Neighbor Handbook.

Contact Information (Local Authority)

City of Washougal

• Address: 1701 C Street, Washougal, WA 98671
• Phone: 360-835-8501

Code Compliance Division

• Address: 211 39th Street, Washougal, WA 98671
• Phone: 360-835-8501, option 2
• Hours: Tuesday–Friday, 9am–5pm (12pm–1pm lunch closure)
• General email contact via city staff directory; initial inquiries can be directed through Code Compliance for STR-specific guidance. Source: Code Compliance page.

Links to Source Pages

• Bed and Breakfast Establishments and Short-Term Rentals (City of Washougal): www.cityofwashougal.us/759/Bed-and-Breakfast-Establishments-and-Sho
• Minor Conditional Use Permit Application (City of Washougal): www.cityofwashougal.us/DocumentCenter/View/178/Conditional-Use-Permit-PDF
• Chapter 3.90 Planning and Development Application Fees (City of Washougal): www.codepublishing.com/WA/Washougal/#!/Washougal03/Washougal0390.html
• Apply for a Business License (Washington Department of Revenue): dor.wa.gov/open-business/apply-business-license
• Transient Accommodations License (Washington State Department of Health): doh.wa.gov/licenses-permits-and-certificates/facilities-z/transient-accommodations-hotels-and-motels/transient-accommodations-license
• Clark County GIS Property Search: gis.clark.wa.gov/gishome/property/
• WMC 18.46.060 Bed and Breakfast Establishments (Washougal Municipal Code): www.codepublishing.com/WA/Washougal/#!/Washougal18/Washougal1846.html#18.46.060
• WMC 18.48.075 Buffer Standards (Washougal Municipal Code): www.codepublishing.com/WA/Washougal/#!/Washougal18/Washougal1848.html#18.48.075
• WMC 18.72.025 Minor Conditional Use (Washougal Municipal Code): www.codepublishing.com/WA/Washougal/#!/Washougal18/Washougal1872.html#18.72.025
• WMC 18.72.030 Application Submittal Requirements (Washougal Municipal Code): www.codepublishing.com/WA/Washougal/#!/Washougal18/Washougal1872.html#18.72.030
• WMC 18.72.060 Criteria for Conditional Uses (Washougal Municipal Code): www.codepublishing.com/WA/Washougal/#!/Washougal18/Washougal1872.html#18.72.060
• Washougal Municipal Code (index): www.codepublishing.com/WA/Washougal/
• Good Neighbor Handbook (City of Washougal): cityofwashougal.us/DocumentCenter/View/2361/Good-Neighbor-Handbook

Notes for Investors

• Confirm zoning and property specifics via the county GIS tool before investing or committing to renovations.
• Verify current application fees and timelines directly with Planning and Code Compliance.
• Washington State lodging tax rates vary by jurisdiction; consult the Department of Revenue for current obligations and local add-ons where applicable.