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Everett, WA

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STR Regulations for Everett, Washington

Overview

Short-term rentals ARE ALLOWED in Everett, WA. The city permits short-term rental operations across most zoning districts where dwelling units are permitted, subject to specific regulations and requirements. Everett has established a regulatory framework that balances housing availability with tourism and investment opportunities.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Everett?

Everett hosts earn a median $31,385/year with $161 ADR and 74% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $41,135+ per year.

See the full Everett market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Everett

Step 1: Verify Zoning Eligibility

Short-term rentals are permitted in the following zones:

  • Neighborhood Residential (NR-C, NR)
  • Urban Residential (UR4, UR7)
  • Mixed Use (MU4, MU7, MU15, MU25)
  • Limited Industrial Mixed Use (LI-MU)
  • Agricultural (AG)

Short-term rentals are not allowed in:

  • Light Industrial (LI)
  • Heavy Industrial (HI)

Step 2: Obtain Required Business License

Before operating, you must obtain a municipal business license from the City Clerk's Office. The Washington State Department of Revenue (DOR) handles business licensing:

  1. Register at dor.wa.gov to create or sign into your BLS account
  2. Apply for Snohomish General Business license (STRs are not considered home occupation businesses)
  3. Submit application for city endorsement
  4. Wait for activation - DOR will notify you when license is activated
  5. Annual renewal required - DOR sends renewal reminders

Step 3: Register Your STR Unit

Register your short-term rental unit with the City Clerk's office and provide liability insurance documentation.

Step 4: Comply with State Requirements

Meet Washington State short-term rental requirements (detailed in state regulations section below).

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

City Requirements:

  • Business License (annual renewal)
  • STR Unit Registration (with liability insurance documentation)
  • Compliance with local zoning requirements

State Requirements (RCW 64.37):

  • Contact Information posting in unit
  • Emergency contact information posting
  • Carbon monoxide alarm compliance (RCW 19.27.530)
  • Fire safety information posting (floor plan, exits, escape routes)
  • Maximum occupancy limits posting
  • $1 million primary liability insurance or platform-provided coverage

Additional Operational Requirements:

  • Lodging Tax Registration (3% tax rate)
  • Compliance with building and fire codes
  • Operational smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

Specific Regulations

City of Everett Regulations

Zoning and Location:

  • STRs allowed in dwelling units and accessory dwelling units
  • Must comply with accessory dwelling unit requirements (EMC 19.08.100)
  • Subject to owner occupancy requirements if applicable to ADU

Operational Limits:

  • Maximum 8 guests total per site (including any accessory dwelling unit)
  • No exterior signs identifying the use as short-term rental
  • Primary residence limit: Hosts may only rent their primary residence for a maximum of 90 days per year if not present
  • Minimum stay: 30 consecutive nights minimum
  • Single party rule: Only rent to one party at a time

Safety Requirements:

  • Operational smoke and carbon monoxide detectors required
  • Compliance with building and fire codes
  • Prohibited: Mother-in-law flats and backyard cottages (accessory dwelling units) cannot be used as STRs

Washington State Regulations (RCW 64.37)

Consumer Safety Requirements:

Operators must provide to all guests:

  1. Contact information for duration of stay
  2. Emergency contact information (police, fire, medical)
  3. Floor plan with fire exits and escape routes
  4. Maximum occupancy limits
  5. Operator contact information

All information must be posted conspicuously within each dwelling unit.

Tax Requirements:

  • Collect and remit all applicable local, state, and federal taxes
  • Platforms may collect and remit on behalf of operators
  • Includes occupancy, sales, lodging, and other taxes/fees

Platform Requirements:

  • Must register with Department of Revenue
  • Must inform operators of tax obligations
  • Must inform operators of safety requirements
  • Must provide written notice about insurance coverage gaps

Liability Insurance:

  • Minimum $1 million primary liability insurance required
  • Alternative: Conduct transactions through platform providing equal or greater coverage
  • Personal insurance policies may not provide coverage for STR activities

Contact Information

City of Everett - City Clerk's Office

  • Website: www.everettwa.gov
  • Business Licensing: Available through City Clerk's office
  • STR Registration: City Clerk's office

Washington State Department of Revenue

  • Website: dor.wa.gov
  • Phone: (360) 902-0525
  • Business Licensing Portal: Available online at dor.wa.gov

Washington State Legislature

  • Website: leg.wa.gov
  • Legislative Hotline: 1-800-562-6000
  • TTY: 1-800-833-6388

Source Pages

Important Compliance Notes

  1. Recent Changes: The original STR section (EMC 19.08.150) has been repealed and replaced with new regulations under Ordinance 4102-25, effective July 8, 2025. Current requirements are found in the updated development regulations.

  2. Annual Renewal: Business licenses must be renewed yearly, and STR registrations require ongoing compliance monitoring.

  3. Enforcement: The city tracks STR properties and operators to ensure compliance with safety rules and to collect applicable taxes.

  4. Insurance: Verify that your liability insurance covers short-term rental activities, as personal policies may have exclusions.

  5. Tax Compliance: Ensure proper collection and remittance of all applicable taxes, including the 3% local lodging tax.

This guide provides the essential framework for operating a compliant short-term rental business in Everett, WA. Always verify current regulations with the city before beginning operations, as municipal codes are regularly updated.

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Everett

Market Saturation Score

036912
Moderate Saturation
5/ 12
months with declining YoY revenue
5–7 declining months: moderate saturation risk - market may be nearing capacity.
View Full Everett Market Analysis

Photos of Everett

Overview of Everett

Everett is the county seat of Snohomish County, Washington, with a population of approximately 113,000 residents. It sits on the east shore of Port Gardner Bay on Puget Sound, about 30 miles north of Seattle along Interstate 5. The city carries an industrial-port character, anchored by the massive Boeing manufacturing plant at Paine Field and Naval Station Everett, while its revitalized downtown and waterfront lend it an approachable Pacific Northwest feel. As the largest city in Snohomish County, Everett functions as a regional hub for the north Puget Sound region and serves as a gateway to the Cascade Mountains to the east and the islands of the Salish Sea beyond.

The Boeing Future of Flight is one of Everett's marquee attractions, located at Paine Field on the city's southern edge. The museum showcases aviation history, Boeing's commercial jet program, and the design and engineering of modern aircraft, and it sits adjacent to one of the world's largest manufacturing buildings, where wide-body jets are assembled. It is roughly a 10-minute drive from downtown Everett. (Boeing Future of Flight)

Jetty Island, a man-made sandbar just off the Everett waterfront, is a beloved local summer destination reachable by a short ferry ride from the Port of Everett. The island offers sandy beaches, calm shallow swimming areas, and views across Puget Sound toward the Olympic Mountains. It sits essentially at Everett's doorstep, with ferries running regularly during the warmer months.

To the east, Everett provides access to the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, where hikers, campers, and winter sports enthusiasts can explore old-growth forests, alpine meadows, and glacier-fed peaks. The Mountain Loop Highway and U.S. Route 2 lead from the city into the forest in roughly 45 to 90 minutes, depending on the destination. (Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest)

Downtown Everett features a walkable core anchored by the Imagine Children's Museum, the Schack Art Center, and a performing arts venue, all within a few blocks of each other. The waterfront area has been revitalized with marinas, restaurants, and a public esplanade, and it hosts regular community events and a seasonal farmers market.

With its mix of aviation tourism, waterfront recreation, and easy access to both Seattle and the Cascades, Everett offers short-term rental owners a versatile guest profile. Visitors arrive for factory tours and museum visits, summer days on Jetty Island, ski and hiking trips into the mountains, and as a more affordable, less crowded base for exploring the greater Seattle area, all of which support steady year-round demand.

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