Below is a comprehensive guide for operating a short-term rental (STR) in Ellensburg, Washington, and the broader Kittitas County. This guide synthesizes state-level requirements and local processes based on the provided web content.

I. Overview: Are Short-Term Rentals Allowed in Ellensburg & Kittitas County?

• Yes, short-term rentals are allowed in the State of Washington under the framework of RCW 64.37. This state law provides a clear definition of an STR, outlines mandatory safety requirements, and mandates liability insurance for operators. All STR operators in Kittitas County and the City of Ellensburg must comply with these state-level regulations.
• Kittitas County & City of Ellenburg: While state law provides the foundation, local governments may adopt additional regulations. The provided content indicates that:
  • Kittitas County has established a Short-Term Rental Committee to draft recommendations for county-wide regulations. As of the information provided, these rules are still in the development stage and may include specific requirements for unincorporated areas of the county.
  • The City of Ellensburg does not have a dedicated page or ordinance for short-term rentals in the provided content. Therefore, you are only required to follow the state law (RCW 64.37) and any county-wide regulations until the city enacts its own STR ordinance.
• Recommendation: Immediately before launching your STR, contact the City of Ellensburg's Community Development Department and the Kittitas County Community Development Services department to confirm the current regulatory status and check for any new, city- or county-specific rules.

II. How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in This Market

Starting an STR in Ellensburg/Kittitas County requires a combination of state compliance, business licensing, and local understanding.

1. Comply with State Law (RCW 64.37): Your first and most critical step is to ensure full compliance with the state law. This includes:

   • Consumer Safety Measures: Ensuring your property meets all safety standards (see Section IV, A).
   • Liability Insurance: Securing at least $1 million in primary liability insurance or using a platform that provides equal or greater coverage.
   • Tax Obligations: Registering with the Washington State Department of Revenue and collecting/remitting all applicable taxes (see Section IV, A).

2. Obtain a City of Ellensburg Business License (If Applicable): If your STR is within the city limits of Ellensburg, you must obtain a business license from the city.

   • "General Business License": This is for businesses located within the city limits.
   • "General Business (Non-Resident) License": This is for businesses located outside the city limits but operating inside the city limits.
   • Application Process: Apply through the State of Washington MyDOR online portal (http://bls.dor.wa.gov/mydor/). The fee is variable based on the number of employees. A nonprofit license is available for $0 with proof of 501(c) status.
   • Contact: For questions, contact the Ellensburg Finance Department at (509) 925-8614 or the City Clerk at cityclerk@ci.ellensburg.wa.us.

3. Understand Property-Specific Regulations: Ellensburg has specific rules for Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs). If your STR is an ADU or is on a property with an ADU, you must comply with these regulations, which include design standards, size limitations, and parking requirements.

   • Contact the Community Development Department at (509) 962-7239 or commdev@ci.ellensburg.wa.us for guidance on ADU and zoning issues.

4. Monitor County Regulations: Since Kittitas County is actively developing its own STR rules, regularly check for updates from the Short-Term Rental Committee or the Community Development Services department.

III. Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Your compliance package will vary slightly depending on your property's location but will generally include the following:

State-Level Requirements (RCW 64.37):

• Liability Insurance Policy: Documentation proving at least $1 million in primary liability coverage.
• Guest Information Packet: A comprehensive guide posted conspicuously in your STR containing:
  • The property's street address.
  • Emergency contact information (police, fire, medical).
  • A floor plan showing fire exits and escape routes.
  • Maximum occupancy limits.
  • The operator's or designated contact person's information.
• Tax Registration: Registration with the Washington State Department of Revenue for sales tax and any local lodging tax collection.
• Carbon Monoxide Alarm Compliance: Proof of compliance with state building code requirements for CO alarms.

City of Ellensburg Business License (for properties within city limits):

• Completed Business License Application: Filed through the state MyDOR portal.
• Payment of License Fees: Variable fee based on employee count, or $0 for a nonprofit license.

Property-Specific Guidelines (if applicable):

• ADU Compliance Documentation: If operating in an ADU, you must ensure the ADU was legally permitted and meets all city design, size, and parking standards.

IV. Specific Regulations (State, County, City)

A. State of Washington (RCW 64.37)

The core regulations are defined in the state law:

1. Consumer Safety:

   • Provide guest contact information that is available during the stay.
   • Ensure compliance with state carbon monoxide alarm regulations.
   • Post mandatory guest information inside the property (address, emergency contacts, floor plan, occupancy limits, operator contact).

2. Taxes:

   • All STR operators must remit applicable local, state, and federal taxes, including sales tax and lodging tax.
   • Short-term rental platforms (e.g., Airbnb, VRBO) may collect and remit these taxes on behalf of operators.

3. Short-Term Rental Platforms:

   • Platforms must register with the Washington State Department of Revenue.
   • Platforms must inform operators of their tax and safety responsibilities.
   • Platforms must notify operators that their personal homeowners insurance may not cover STR activities.

4. Liability Insurance:

   • Operators must maintain a primary liability insurance policy of at least $1,000,000 or use a platform that provides equal or greater coverage.

B. Kittitas County

As of the provided content, no specific county-wide STR regulations have been enacted. The Short-Term Rental Committee is actively working to develop recommendations for the Board of County Commissioners.

C. City of Ellensburg

No specific STR ordinances are detailed in the provided content. The city's ADU regulations are the most relevant rules that may affect an STR operating in an ADU within the city.

V. Contact Information

For direct guidance and the most up-to-date information, contact the following authorities:

• Kittitas County Short-Term Rental Committee (Clerk):

  • Phone: (509) 962-7506
  • Website: https://www.co.kittitas.wa.us/boards/boards.aspx?board=short-term-rental

• City of Ellensburg Community Development Department (Planning & Building Permits/Zoning):

  • Phone: (509) 962-7239
  • Email: commdev@ci.ellensburg.wa.us
  • Website: https://ci.ellensburg.wa.us/839/Community-Development

• City of Ellensburg Finance Department (Business Licenses):

  • Phone: (509) 925-8614
  • Email: cityclerk@ci.ellensburg.wa.us

• Washington State Department of Revenue (Tax Registration & Information):

  • Phone: 1-360-705-6741
  • Email: BLS@dor.wa.gov
  • Website: http://bls.dor.wa.gov/mydor/

VI. Important Links to Source Pages

• Kittitas County Short-Term Rental Committee: https://www.co.kittitas.wa.us/boards/boards.aspx?board=short-term-rental
• Washington State Short-Term Rental Law (RCW 64.37): https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=64.37&full=true
• City of Ellensburg FAQs (Community Development - Planning): https://ci.ellensburg.wa.us/FAQ.aspx (Specifically, sections on Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and Business Licensing).
• City of Ellensburg - Finance - Business Licensing: https://ci.ellensburg.wa.us/855/Residents (Navigate to "Business & Projects" > "Business Licensing" FAQ section).