Belfair, Washington Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Executive Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Belfair, WA?

EXPLICIT ANSWER: Yes, short-term rentals are currently allowed in Belfair, Washington. However, it is crucial to understand the regulatory landscape:

Current Status: Mason County currently does NOT regulate short-term rentals, but this is changing
Regulatory Transition: The county is developing new STR regulations (draft code MCC 17.100), but review is currently on hold per the Board of County Commissioners
State Framework: Washington's RCW 64.37 (effective July 28, 2019) provides the baseline legal framework
Existing Requirements: STR operators must comply with existing state statutes and collect/remit applicable taxes

Important Note: Commercial websites claiming specific licensing requirements or tax rates may be outdated or inaccurate. Always verify current requirements with official county sources.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Belfair?

Belfair hosts earn a median $36,354/year with $332 ADR and 43% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $52,273+ per year.

See the full Belfair market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Belfair, WA

Phase 1: Market Research and Property Assessment

Property Evaluation: Assess your property's suitability, especially if it's shoreline-fronting (where most STRs are concentrated)
Competition Analysis: Study local market dynamics - Belfair experiences significant seasonal variation with peak demand in summer months
Financial Modeling: Account for seasonal fluctuations and local market conditions

Phase 2: Compliance Preparation

Zoning Verification: Ensure your property is in a zone that allows residential use (STR regulations will apply county-wide)
Septic/Sewer Assessment: Verify your on-site sewage system capacity can handle increased use
Insurance Review: Ensure adequate liability coverage (RCW 64.37.050 requires primary liability insurance)

Phase 3: Business Setup

Business Registration: Register your STR business as required by state law
Tax Registration: Set up accounts for collecting/remitting state and local lodging taxes
Property Preparation: Install required safety equipment (carbon monoxide alarms per RCW 19.27.530)

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Current Requirements (Until New Regulations Adopted)

Mandatory State Requirements:

RCW 64.37 compliance (tenant rights, operator duties)
State lodging tax collection and remittance
Carbon monoxide alarm installation (RCW 19.27.530)
Primary liability insurance coverage (RCW 64.37.050)

Anticipated Requirements (Draft MCC 17.100)

Permits and Licenses:

Land Use Permit: Required for all new STRs once regulations are adopted
Annual Renewal: Permits valid for one calendar year
Inspection Requirements: Fire, safety, health, and building code compliance

Required Documentation:

Property Management Plan: Must include:
- Rules of conduct (noise, quiet hours, trespassing, pet management)
- Site plan with property boundaries, easements, and beach access
- Floor plan with fire escapes and escape routes
- Local emergency numbers
- Maximum occupancy limits
- Maximum vehicle limits
- Waste pickup schedule
- Owner/operator contact information
Proof of Weekly Waste Service: Curbside service or letter from Mason County Garbage if service unavailable
Neighborhood Notification: 300-foot radius notification to neighbors with affidavit
Occupancy Documentation: Based on Environmental Health Department approval (typically 2 persons per bedroom + 2 additional persons)

Specific Regulations by Government Level

City-Level Regulations

Belfair has no separate city regulations - STRs are governed at the county level.

County-Level Regulations (Mason County)

Current Status: No active STR regulations, but draft MCC 17.100 includes:

Permitted STR Types:

Type 1: Owner/operator occupied where owner is present during rental or resides on same parcel
Type 2: Non-owner occupied, owner doesn't reside on parcel
Type 3: Higher occupancy situations (specific limits to be determined)

Key Standards:

County-wide applicability (all zoning districts)
Weekly waste service requirement
24-hour operator availability (respond within 1 hour, on-site within 3 hours)
On-site parking requirements (no blocking shared easements)
Shellfish harvesting rules for waterfront properties
Septic system maintenance requirements

Enforcement:

Complaint-driven enforcement system
Tiered fine system with permit revocation after multiple violations
Appeal process through county hearing examiner

State-Level Regulations (Washington State)

RCW 64.37 Requirements:

Definition: Lodging for fewer than 30 consecutive nights
Tenant rights and obligations
Operator duties and responsibilities
Primary liability insurance requirements
Lodging tax collection and remittance

Contact Information for Local STR Authorities

Primary Contact

Mason County Community Development Department

Planning Division Contact: Marissa Watson, Senior Planner
Phone: (360) 427-9670 ext. 367
Email: mwatson@masoncountywa.gov
Address: 615 W. Alder Street, Shelton, WA 98584

Other Relevant Contacts

Mason County Treasurer: (360) 427-9670
Mason County Environmental Health: (360) 427-9670
Mason County Garbage: For waste service verification
Mason County Sheriff (Non-Emergency): (360) 426-4441

Source Links and References

Official Government Sources

Mason County Short-Term Vacation Rentals Project Page: masoncountywa.gov/departments/community_development/planning/short_term_vacation_rentals/index.php
Draft STR Regulations (MCC 17.100): cms2.revize.com/revize/masonwa/Documents/Departments/Community%20Development/Planning/Short%20Term%20Vacation%20Rentals/Meeting%20Information/str-packet-06172024.pdf
Planning Advisory Commission Agendas: masoncountywa.gov/government/advisory_boards/planning_advisory_commission/agendas_and_minutes.php

News and Community Sources

Shelton-Mason County Journal STR Coverage: www.masoncounty.com/story/2024/02/08/news/short-term-rental-rules-are-coming/3699.html

Key Legislation and Codes

Washington State RCW 64.37: Short-term rental statutes
Mason County Code (various titles): Zoning, health, waste management, building codes

Current Status and Timeline

Critical Update: As of the most recent information, review of short-term rental regulations is on hold. The Mason County Board of Commissioners has paused the regulatory development process. Investors should monitor the official project webpage for updates on when review will resume.

Recommendation for Investors: While STRs are currently allowed without county-specific permits, the regulatory environment is evolving. Consider engaging with the county planning process and preparing for compliance with anticipated regulations while they remain in development.

Next step

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Ask the AI Advisor about Belfair

Belfair is a small unincorporated community and census-designated place in Mason County, Washington, situated on the eastern shore of the Kitsap Peninsula along the saltwater inlet known as Hood Canal. With a population of roughly 3,800 residents, it has the feel of a quiet rural hub surrounded by evergreen forest, tidal creeks, and waterfront homes. The community is often described as a "gateway to the Olympic Peninsula," serving travelers and outdoor enthusiasts who use it as a base for exploring the broader Olympic region. Belfair sits approximately 30 to 35 miles northwest of Tacoma and about 60 to 70 miles southwest of Seattle, accessible by car via State Route 3 and the Tacoma Narrows Bridge.

Just a few minutes north of the town center, Belfair State Park offers more than 100 acres of forested campground and tideland along Hood Canal. The park is popular for its quiet saltwater beach, crabbing and clamming opportunities, and views of the Olympic Mountains across the water, making it a convenient first stop for visitors wanting to experience the canal's shoreline. A short drive farther north along Hood Canal brings travelers to Twanoh State Park, a smaller, quieter stretch of shoreline that locals favor for swimming, picnicking, and launching small boats. Together, the canal's state parks give short-term rental guests easy access to the area's signature mix of forest and saltwater scenery.

To the west and southwest, the community opens into some of the Pacific Northwest's most celebrated wilderness. The northern reaches of Olympic National Park, including the Staircase and Dosewallips areas along Hood Canal's southwestern shore, are roughly an hour and a half to two hours from Belfair by car, opening up old-growth rainforests, alpine trails, and glaciated rivers. Closer to home, the Tahuya State Forest and the surrounding Hood Canal watershed offer miles of forest roads and trails used for hiking, mountain biking, and off-highway vehicle recreation. Day-trippers can also head north along the canal to the village of Hoodsport, a small waterfront community known for its oyster farms, fishing, and proximity to Lake Cushman.

Belfair's appeal for short-term rental owners lies in this combination of small-town quiet and outdoor access. Guests can spend a morning crabbing on Hood Canal, an afternoon driving into the Olympics, and an evening sampling local seafood, all while staying in a community that feels removed from the bustle of the Seattle metropolitan area. Its position as a convenient, year-round waypoint between the city and the Olympic Peninsula gives the area a steady flow of travelers looking for a base that blends forest, water, and a distinctly Pacific Northwest character.