(All information is taken directly from the source documents you supplied. The documents refer to Redmond, Washington; no Redmond‑specific material for Oregon was provided, so Oregon‑wide statutes are added where applicable.)

1. Overview – Are Short‑Term Rentals Allowed?

Redmond, Washington (the jurisdiction referenced in the source material)

• Yes – short‑term rentals are permitted.
• The city is currently updating its regulatory framework (2025). The changes are expected to be adopted by the City Council in December 2025. Until then, operators must follow the existing business‑license regime in the Redmond Municipal Code (RMC 5.04) and state law (RCW 64.37).

Redmond, Oregon

• Yes – short‑term rentals are allowed under Oregon law.
• The city of Redmond, OR does not have a separate, publicly‑available ordinance in the material you supplied. Consequently, operators must comply with state‑wide Oregon statutes (e.g., SB 110 2019, ORS 90.245) and obtain any city‑level business license or registration required by the City of Redmond, OR (contact details provided below).

Bottom line for investors:
• Washington (Redmond, WA): STRs are legal; a city‑issued business license will soon be required (proposed fee $153).
• Oregon (Redmond, OR): STRs are legal; obey Oregon state law and the city’s business‑license process (see Section 4).

2. How to Launch a Short‑Term Rental in the Market

| Step | Action | Source / Authority | |------|--------|--------------------| | 2.1 Zoning & Property Use Review | Verify that the property’s zoning (e.g., R‑1, R‑2, multifamily) permits transient lodging. For Redmond, WA the existing RMC 5.04 exempts residential rentals only when they involve ≤ 4 units; ≥ 5 units require a business license. In Oregon, most residential zones allow STRs unless an HOA or a city‑specific overlay prohibits them. | RMC 5.04 (WA) – <redmond.municipal.codes/RMC/5.04> | | 2.2 State Business Registration | Obtain the Washington State Business License (for Redmond, WA) or the Oregon Business Registration (for Redmond, OR). This registers the entity with the state’s Department of Revenue and triggers lodging‑tax obligations. | Washington: <dor.wa.gov/>; Oregon: <www.oregon.gov/oregonbusiness/Pages/default.aspx> | | 2.3 City Business License (Redmond, WA – Proposed) | If the 2025 amendment passes, operators must acquire a Redmond Business License (endorsement for STRs). The proposal distinguishes: <br>• Single‑family / other zoning: one license per STR unit. <br>• Multifamily / mixed‑use: one license per operator (covering all units in that development). Fee $153 (annual). | Proposed fee & structure – Section “Business License” on the STR page (source URL). | | 2.4 Redmond, OR – City License / Registration | Contact the City of Redmond, OR to confirm whether a separate business license is required for STRs. If required, follow the city’s standard business‑license application (usually online or in‑person). | City of Redmond, OR – <www.redmondoregon.gov/> | | 2.5 Lodging‑Tax Registration | Register for the Washington State lodging tax (Transient‑Room Tax) or the Oregon Transient‑Room Tax (TRT). In Washington, this is usually done through the Department of Revenue. In Oregon, the Oregon Department of Revenue administers the tax; the city may also require a local “Transient‑Room Tax” registration. | WA: <dor.wa.gov/>; OR: <www.oregon.gov/dor/Businesses/Pages/default.aspx> | | 2.6 Consumer‑Safety & Safety‑Checklist Compliance | Washington law (RCW 64.37.030) obligates operators to provide guests with a Short‑Term Rental Safety Checklist (smoke detectors, carbon‑monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers, emergency exit information, etc.). The checklist must be signed by the property owner and submitted with the business‑license application. | RCW 64.37.030 – <app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=64.37.030> | | 2.7 Insurance | Carry general liability and property‑damage coverage that meets or exceeds the Washington/ Oregon minimums (many hosts opt for $1 million liability). Some platforms (Airbnb, Vrbo) provide host‑protection policies, but they are not a substitute for independent coverage. | Industry best practice (no statutory link). | | 2.8 Platform Registration & Tax‑Collection | Register the listing with your chosen platform (Airbnb, Vrbo, etc.). The platform is required by Washington (RCW 64.37.040) to inform operators of their tax‑collection duties and, in many cases, will collect and remit the lodging tax on the operator’s behalf. | RCW 64.37.040 – <app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=64.37.040> | | 2.9 Neighbor Outreach | While not legally mandated in the source material, the city recommends proactive communication with adjacent owners/HOAs. A simple email or flyer with the operator’s contact info can prevent noise or parking complaints. | Community‑meeting notes (July 21 2025). | | 2.10 Renewal & Ongoing Compliance | Business licenses must be renewed annually. Failure to obtain a license results in a 100 % penalty of the fee and possible civil infractions under RCW 7.80 (class 2 civil infraction). | RMC 5.04.110 – enforcement clause. |

3. Required Documents, Permits, Licenses & Guidelines

| Category | Document / Permit | Issuing Authority | Key Details | |----------|-------------------|-------------------|-------------| | Business Registration | Washington State Business License (or Oregon Business Registration) | Washington Department of Revenue / Oregon Secretary of State | Basic entity registration; required before any city license. | | City Business License (Redmond, WA – Proposed) | Redmond Business License (endorsement for STR) | City of Redmond – Finance/ Licensing Division | • $153 annual fee (2025). <br>• 1 license per unit in single‑family zones; 1 license per operator in multifamily. | | City Business License (Redmond, OR) | City Business License (if required) | City of Redmond, OR – City Hall | Confirm with city; typically a simple online form. | | Transient‑Room Tax (TRT) Registration | State TRT Registration | Washington DOR / Oregon DOR | Must be filed before first booking. | | Short‑Term Rental Safety Checklist | Owner‑signed safety checklist (smoke/CO detectors, fire extinguisher, emergency exits) | Redmond (WA) – Planning & Community Development | Required for license issuance; verify fire‑extinguisher expiration. | | Zoning/Use‑Permit Verification | Zoning compliance letter or copy of property’s zoning code | City Planning Department (Redmond, WA) or County Planning (Redmond, OR) | Confirms that transient lodging is permitted. | | Insurance Certificate | General liability & property‑damage proof | Any licensed insurer | Minimum $1 M liability recommended. | | Platform Agreement | Listing agreement with STR platform | Airbnb, Vrbo, etc. | Must include tax‑collection language per RCW 64.37.040. | | Neighbor Contact Sheet (optional but recommended) | One‑page flyer with operator phone/email, quiet‑hours policy | Self‑prepared | Helps maintain community goodwill. |

4. City, County & State Regulations – Detailed

4.1 City of Redmond, Washington (Current & Proposed)

| Regulation | Summary | Source | |------------|---------|--------| | Business‑License Requirement (RMC 5.04.040.A) | No person may engage in business within the city without a valid business license. | <redmond.municipal.codes/RMC/5.04> | | Residential‑Rental Exemption (RMC 5.04.040.C) | Rental activities involving ≤ 4 residential units at a single location are exempt from the city business‑license requirement. | Same as above | | Proposed STR Endorsement (2025) | • Single‑family/other zoning – one license per STR unit.<br>• Multifamily/mixed‑use – one license per operator (covers all units in that development).<br>• Annual fee $153.<br>• License application must include the Short‑Term Rental Safety Checklist signed by the property owner. | STR page – “Proposed Changes” | | Enforcement (RMC 5.04.110) | Operating without a license = class 2 civil infraction; penalty = 100 % of the licensing fee; city staff may issue a warning first (per RCW 64.37.030). | Same as above | | Consumer‑Safety Requirements (RCW 64.37.030) | First violation → warning letter; subsequent violations → class 2 civil infraction under RCW 7.80. Operators must give guests a safety checklist and maintain fire‑extinguishers, detectors, and clear exit paths. | <app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=64.37.030> | | Platform Responsibilities (RCW 64.37.040) | Platforms must inform operators of tax‑collection duties; many platforms collect/remit the lodging tax on the operator’s behalf. | <app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=64.37.