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

• Explicit answer: Yes. Short‑term rentals are allowed in the State of Washington, including the unincorporated community of Deming (Whatcom County), subject to state law and any applicable county or state‑level rules. There is no city‑level STR ordinance specific to Deming, so operation is governed by Washington Revised Code (RCW) Chapter 64.37 and any county processes that may apply. The Bellingham STR ordinance is city‑specific and does not apply in Deming.

State‑level framework (applies to Deming)

Washington’s STR regime is codified in RCW 64.37. Key provisions:

• Definitions (RCW 64.37.010):

  • “Short‑term rental” means a lodging use (not a hotel/motel/bed and breakfast) in which a dwelling unit or portion thereof is offered or provided to a guest by an operator for fewer than thirty consecutive nights.
  • Exclusions include owner‑occupied units with fewer than three rooms rented at any time and units occupied by the same person for thirty or more consecutive nights, among others.
  • “Operator” is the person who receives payment for owning or operating a short‑term rental unit.

• Taxes (RCW 64.37.020):

  • Operators must remit all applicable local, state, and federal taxes (occupancy, sales, lodging, and other taxes/fees/assessments) unless the platform remits on the operator’s behalf. Platforms that collect such taxes must remit to the appropriate authorities.

• Consumer safety (RCW 64.37.030):

  • Operators must provide guest contact information that is available during the stay.
  • Units must comply with carbon monoxide alarm requirements under RCW 19.27.530 and related State Building Code Council rules.
  • Post inside each STR: street address; emergency contacts (police, fire, EMS); floor plan with fire exits and escape routes; maximum occupancy; and operator/contact information.
  • First violation requires a warning from the city or county attorney; subsequent violation is a class 2 civil infraction (RCW 7.80).

• Platforms (RCW 64.37.040):

  • Platforms must register with the Washington Department of Revenue.
  • Platforms must inform operators about tax obligations and safety requirements.
  • Platforms must provide written notice (by mail or electronically) that the operator’s personal homeowners insurance may not cover short‑term rental use.

• Liability insurance (RCW 64.37.050):

  • Operators must maintain primary liability insurance of at least $1,000,000 aggregate covering the short‑term rental dwelling unit, or conduct each transaction through a platform providing equal or greater primary liability coverage.

Source: RCW 64.37 (Washington Legislature). See link in References.

How to start a short‑term rental business in this market

1. Confirm eligibility:
   • Ensure your property qualifies as a dwelling unit under RCW 64.37.010.
   • Verify no long‑term stays (30+ consecutive nights) are required if you intend to operate as an STR.
2. Choose a compliance pathway:
   • Operate as an individual owner/operator; or
   • Use a short‑term rental platform that registers with the Department of Revenue and can assist with tax remittance and insurance notice requirements.
3. Set up tax compliance:
   • Obtain any required Washington State business registrations and account numbers for sales/lodging taxes.
   • Determine applicable local lodging/occupancy taxes (some Washington jurisdictions require separate registration). If uncertain, contact the Washington Department of Revenue and Whatcom County for any local lodging tax registrations and reporting rules.
4. Implement safety and posting:
   • Install required carbon monoxide alarms (per RCW 19.27.530).
   • Post required information in the unit (address, emergency contacts, floor plan/exits, occupancy limit, operator/contact).
   • Provide guest‑facing contact information during the stay.
5. Secure insurance:
   • Maintain $1,000,000 primary liability coverage or ensure your platform provides equal or greater coverage for each transaction.
6. Marketing and platform compliance:
   • If listing on platforms, ensure the platform is registered with DOR and is providing the required operator notices.
7. Keep records:
   • Retain documentation of insurance, postings, platform notices, tax registrations, and guest communications.

Required documents, permits, licenses, and guidelines

State requirements (operate statewide and in Deming unless superseded by county):

• Business registrations and tax accounts: Washington Department of Revenue (for sales/lodging taxes as applicable).
• Insurance: Primary liability coverage of at least $1,000,000 or platform‑provided equivalent.
• Safety postings: In‑unit display of address, emergency contacts, fire exits/escape routes, occupancy limits, and operator/contact information (RCW 64.37.030).
• Safety equipment: Carbon monoxide alarms per RCW 19.27.530 and State Building Code Council rules.
• Platform notices: If using platforms, maintain evidence that the platform is registered and has delivered required notices on taxes and insurance (RCW 64.37.040).

City‑level permits (Bellingham):

• Not applicable to Deming. Bellingham’s STR permit, inspection, and zoning rules (BMC 20.10.037) do not extend beyond Bellingham city limits. Use those sections only if you operate within the City of Bellingham.

County‑level (Whatcom County):

• The provided sources do not specify Whatcom County STR permits or processes. Operators should confirm with Whatcom County whether any separate registration or local lodging taxes apply.

Specific regulations for STRs (City/County/State)

• State (RCW 64.37):

  • Taxes: Collect/remit sales, lodging, occupancy taxes; platforms may collect and remit.
  • Safety: Guest contact availability; CO alarms; posting requirements; enforcement via warning then class 2 civil infraction.
  • Platforms: Registration with DOR; operator notices on taxes and insurance.
  • Insurance: Minimum $1,000,000 primary liability or platform‑provided coverage.

• City (Bellingham, for reference only):

  • Zoning limits; primary residence requirements; day caps; parking; local contact; permit renewals; inspections; nontransferability; and revocation provisions. Bellingham municipal code links are provided for context; Deming is not subject to these rules.

• County (Whatcom):

  • Not detailed in the provided sources. Confirm with the county whether any local lodging tax registrations or other requirements apply.

Contact information (local authority in charge of STRs)

Because Deming is unincorporated and no city‑specific STR authority exists, the relevant state and county points of contact are:

• Washington Department of Revenue (tax registrations and platform registration):

  • Website: dor.wa.gov
  • Phone: 360-902-9800
  • Note: RCW 64.37 requires platforms to register with the Department of Revenue.

• Whatcom County (confirm county lodging taxes/any local STR process if applicable):

  • Phone: 360-778-5100 (general county contact; verify specific department for lodging taxes/STRs)

If and when you identify the precise Whatcom County office that administers lodging taxes or STR registrations, record that department’s direct phone/email/website here for ongoing compliance.

References and source links

• RCW 64.37 — Short‑Term Rentals (Washington Legislature): app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=64.37
• Bellingham Municipal Code 20.10.037 — Short‑term rentals (City of Bellingham, not applicable in Deming): bellingham.municipal.codes/BMC/20.10.037
• City of Bellingham — Short‑Term Rental Regulations (informational, city‑specific): cob.org/services/planning/development/short-term-rentals
• Washington Department of Revenue (taxes/business licensing): dor.wa.gov

Notes

• Bellingham’s rules are included for reference only; Deming does not have city‑specific STR regulations.
• The provided sources do not detail Whatcom County lodging tax administration. Confirm whether a separate county lodging tax registration/return is required in Deming.
• Always verify current requirements with the Department of Revenue and any applicable county or state agencies before launching operations.