Arlington, Washington Short-Term Rental (STR) Investor Guide (2025)

Overview: Are STRs Allowed in Arlington, WA?

Yes—short-term rentals are allowed in Arlington, Washington. Under Washington State law, a short-term rental (STR) is defined as a lodging use, not a hotel or motel or bed and breakfast, in which a dwelling unit (or portion thereof) is offered to a guest for fewer than 30 consecutive nights. There is no city- or county-specific STR prohibition in the provided materials. The state-level framework in RCW 64.37 governs STRs statewide, including Arlington.

Arlington’s land use code does not impose an STR-specific license or zoning prohibition in the provided excerpts; however, local zoning and homeowners association (HOA) rules may restrict STR operations in certain zones or developments. Investors should confirm zoning and any deed/HOA restrictions before acquiring or listing a property.

How to Start an STR Business in Arlington

• Confirm legal authority and zoning:
  • Ensure the property is located within a zoning district where STR use is permitted (not a prohibited use under HOA or local covenants). The municipal code excerpt provided does not include an STR ban or permission; state law allows STRs unless otherwise restricted locally or by covenants.
• Insurance:
  • Maintain primary liability insurance with at least $1 million in aggregate coverage for the STR dwelling unit; or operate exclusively through a platform that provides equal or greater primary liability insurance coverage.
• State and local tax registration:
  • Register with the Washington Department of Revenue (DOR) for tax remittance; you are responsible for collecting and remitting applicable sales tax, lodging taxes, and any other local taxes/fees. Some platforms remit on your behalf.
• Compliance and documentation:
  • Follow consumer safety posting requirements and safety compliance; keep records for taxes, guest logs, and platform communications.
• Recordkeeping and operations:
  • Maintain accurate booking, guest, and financial records; ensure your listing accurately reflects unit characteristics and the required postings.

Note: The provided municipal code excerpts emphasize accessory dwelling units (ADUs), not STRs. ADUs may be rented short-term only if not prohibited by local zoning or HOAs. For the purposes of this guide, we assume Arlington’s zoning does not expressly prohibit STRs in residential zones; confirm with the City before listing.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

• Washington State (RCW 64.37):
  • Definitions: Establish what constitutes a “short-term rental,” “operator,” “guest,” and “platform.”
  • Taxes: Remit applicable local, state, and federal taxes (or confirm platform remittance on your behalf).
  • Consumer safety postings inside each STR unit:
    • Street address.
    • Emergency contact information (police, fire, EMS).
    • Floor plan showing fire exits and escape routes.
    • Maximum occupancy limits.
    • Operator’s or designated contact information.
    • Contact must be available during guest stays.
    • Carbon monoxide alarm compliance per RCW 19.27.530 and State Building Code Council rules.
  • Platform responsibilities: Platforms must register with DOR, inform operators about tax obligations and safety requirements, and provide written notice that personal homeowner’s insurance may not cover STR liability or first-party losses.
  • Liability insurance: Maintain primary liability insurance (≥ $1 million) or use a platform that provides equal or greater coverage.
• Arlington, WA (City Code excerpts provided):
  • Title 20.44 (Supplemental Use Regulations) includes detailed standards for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), which are long-term housing units. ADU provisions do not directly regulate STRs, but they indicate the City’s approach to residential unit density and standards.
  • HB 1337 (2023) preempts local barriers to ADU creation and use in urban growth areas but does not preempt the right to use ADUs for STRs; however, local governments may restrict ADU use for short-term rentals through zoning or permitting.
  • Building permits: Any structural work, conversions, or ADUs require permits per the International Residential Code and Arlington Municipal Code.
• HOA/condo documents:
  • Review covenants and association rules; they may prohibit or restrict STR use.
• Business licensing:
  • A state-level business registration or endorsements may be required via DOR. The provided materials do not specify a city-level business license; confirm with Arlington Finance or the Department of Revenue.

Specific Regulations (City, County, State) and Compliance Details

• State (Washington) — RCW 64.37:
  • Definition: STRs are lodging uses not classified as hotels, motels, or bed and breakfasts; stays fewer than 30 consecutive nights.
  • Taxes: Operators must remit sales, lodging, occupancy, and other applicable taxes unless the platform does so. The platform must collect and remit such taxes if acting on behalf of the operator.
  • Consumer safety: Provide contact information that is responsive during guest stays; post required safety information in each unit; comply with carbon monoxide alarm requirements; first violation triggers a warning; subsequent violations are class 2 civil infractions.
  • Platforms: Must register with DOR; inform operators of tax and safety responsibilities; and notify operators that personal homeowners’ insurance may not cover STR-related liabilities.
  • Liability insurance: Operators must carry ≥ $1 million in primary liability insurance or use a platform with equivalent coverage.
• City (Arlington, WA) — Municipal Code Excerpts:
  • No explicit STR permit or prohibition appears in the provided materials. The City’s supplemental use regulations focus on ADUs rather than STRs.
  • ADUs are regulated via Title 20.44.042, which includes size, parking, and design standards; ADUs are intended as long-term housing, but the code allows some forms of ADU creation and sale as condominiums under certain conditions. Municipal codes often address occupancy limits and structural standards; if renting STRs in ADUs, verify occupancy and building standards before listing.
• County (Snohomish) — Not fully covered in the provided materials:
  • Lodging tax (hotel/motel) may be imposed by Snohomish County. Operators should verify county lodging tax requirements with the County Treasurer or Finance Department.
  • The provided materials do not include Snohomish County STR-specific regulations.
• State preemption (HB 1337):
  • HB 1337 eased barriers to ADU creation and use in urban growth areas and prevents certain local restrictions; it also includes provisions related to restrictive covenants. It does not create a statewide prohibition on STRs in ADUs, and local governments may still regulate STRs (including ADU STRs) through zoning.

Compliance summary:

• Display required safety information in each STR unit.
• Provide a contact available during guest stays.
• Carry ≥ $1 million primary liability insurance (or use a platform with equal or greater coverage).
• Collect and remit applicable sales tax and lodging taxes (verify exact rates and remittance processes with DOR and Snohomish County).
• Confirm zoning and HOA permissions before listing; comply with building codes.

Contact Information (Local Authority in Charge of STRs)

• Washington State Department of Revenue (DOR) — Short-Term Rental Tax Registration:
  • Website: dor.wa.gov (look for “register a business,” “lodging,” and “short-term rental” information)
  • Phone: 1-800-647-7706
• City of Arlington — Community Development Department (Zoning and Building Permits):
  • Address: 110 E 3rd Street, Arlington, WA 98223
  • Website: arlingtonwa.gov (municipal code and planning information)
  • Phone: Not provided in the excerpts; contact the City for current numbers.
• City of Arlington — Finance/Tax (Confirm local lodging tax and business licensing):
  • Address: 110 E 3rd Street, Arlington, WA 98223
  • Website: arlingtonwa.gov (Finance/Tax Department)
  • Phone: Not provided in the excerpts; contact the City for current numbers.
• Snohomish County — Lodging Tax/Treasury:
  • Website: snohomishcountywa.gov (Finance/Treasury Department)
  • Phone: Not provided in the excerpts; contact the County for current numbers.
• Washington State Building Code Council (Carbon Monoxide Alarms and Safety Standards):
  • Website: sbcc.wa.gov
  • Phone: Not provided in the excerpts.

Note: Where a phone or email is not included in the provided materials, consult the listed websites or the City/County’s directory for current contacts.

Source Links

• RCW 64.37 — Washington Short-Term Rentals: app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=64.37&full=true
• City of Arlington Municipal Code — Title 20.44 Supplemental Use Regulations (Accessory Dwelling Units): www.arlingtonwa.gov/documentcenter/view/9471
• Engrossed House Bill 1337 (2023) — ADU Preemption (Accessory Dwelling Units): lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov/biennium/2023-24/Pdf/Bills/Session%20Laws/House/1337-S.SL.pdf?cite=2023%20c%20334

This guide relies exclusively on the provided materials. Investors must confirm local zoning/HOA restrictions, precise lodging tax rates, and any additional city or county requirements before listing or operating an STR in Arlington, Washington.