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Forks, WA

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STR Regulations for Forks, Washington

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

Yes, short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in Forks, Washington. However, they are regulated at the county level under Clallam County Code Chapter 33.51 (Vacation Rentals). Since Forks is an unincorporated area within Clallam County, STR operators must comply with county regulations rather than city-specific ordinances.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Forks?

Forks hosts earn a median $48,607/year with $228 ADR and 70% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $60,133+ per year.

See the full Forks market breakdown

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

Step 1: Understand County Regulations

Review Clallam County Code Chapter 33.51, which governs vacation rentals. This chapter outlines the specific requirements and standards for operating a STR in the county.

Step 2: Property Assessment

Ensure your property meets the basic requirements for vacation rental operation under county zoning regulations.

Step 3: Business Registration

Register your vacation rental business according to county requirements and obtain any necessary business licenses.

Step 4: Compliance Setup

Implement all required safety features, occupancy limits, and operational standards as specified in county code.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Primary Regulations

  • Clallam County Code Chapter 33.51 (Vacation Rentals)
  • Title 33 (Zoning) - determines where STRs can operate
  • Ordinance 913 (adopted 09/27/16) - the legislative foundation for current regulations

Key Requirements

Based on the available county code structure, STR operators should expect to comply with:

  1. Purpose and Standards - Vacation rental standards established in Section 33.51.020
  2. Zoning Compliance - STRs must be in appropriate zoning districts
  3. Safety Requirements - Standard vacation rental safety provisions
  4. Occupancy Limits - Maximum guest and occupancy restrictions

Documentation Needed

  • Property ownership or rental documentation
  • Business registration with Clallam County
  • Compliance with zoning requirements
  • Safety feature installations as required
  • Guest occupancy documentation

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

County Level (Clallam County)

Primary Authority: Clallam County Code Chapter 33.51

Current Regulations:

  • Chapter 33.51.010 - Establishes the purpose and intent of vacation rental regulations
  • Chapter 33.51.020 - Details specific vacation rental standards and requirements
  • Governing Ordinance: Ordinance 913 (adopted September 27, 2016)

Key Compliance Areas:

  • Zoning compliance for STR operations
  • Safety and occupancy standards
  • Operational requirements and restrictions
  • Potential enforcement mechanisms

City Level

Forks does not have its own municipal STR regulations since it is an unincorporated community. All STR operations fall under Clallam County jurisdiction.

State Level (Washington)

Additional state-level considerations may apply, including:

  • State business licensing requirements
  • Washington State Department of Revenue tax obligations
  • State safety and building code compliance
  • Potential SEPA (State Environmental Policy Act) review for larger operations

Contact Information for Local Authority

Primary Contact: Clallam County

Website: www.clallam.net

For STR-Specific Inquiries:

  • Contact the Clallam County Planning Department for zoning and permit questions
  • Business licensing through Clallam County Auditor's Office
  • Code enforcement through appropriate county departments

Physical Address: 223 East 4th Street, Suite 15 Port Angeles, WA 98362

Phone Directory:

  • Main County Line: (360) 417-2000
  • Planning Department: Contact through main number
  • Business Licensing: Contact through main number

Online Resources:

Additional State Resources

  • Washington State Department of Revenue (for tax obligations)
  • Washington State Department of Commerce (for business guidance)

Important Notes for STR Investors

  1. County Jurisdiction: All STR operations in Forks fall under Clallam County regulations
  2. Regular Updates: The Clallam County Code is current through Ordinance 1032 (passed August 26, 2025)
  3. Compliance Priority: Ensure full compliance with Chapter 33.51 requirements before operation
  4. Contact First: Always contact the county planning department before establishing an STR to confirm current requirements

Sources and Links

Primary Regulatory Sources

Supporting Documentation

Legal Notice

The Clallam County Commissioner's Office maintains the official version of the Clallam County Code. Users should contact the Commissioner's Office for ordinances passed subsequent to the cited regulations.

Disclaimer: This guide is based on publicly available information. Always verify current requirements directly with Clallam County authorities before establishing or operating a short-term rental business. Regulations may have been updated since the information was compiled.

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Forks

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 Forks Market Analysis

Photos of Forks

Overview of Forks

Forks is a small city in Clallam County, Washington, tucked into the northwest corner of the Olympic Peninsula. With a population of roughly 3,500 residents, it has a quiet, working-class character rooted in timber and shaped by its long relationship with the surrounding temperate rainforest. The town is best known as the western gateway to Olympic National Park and, more recently, as the setting that inspired Stephenie Meyer's Twilight novels, which has brought a steady stream of literary tourism to the area. Forks sits about 60 miles west of Port Angeles along US-101, and is roughly 100 miles from Seattle when combined with the ferry crossing across Puget Sound.

Olympic National Park is the marquee draw of the region, and Forks serves as one of the primary access points for the park's coastal and rainforest sections. The park encompasses nearly a million acres of glaciated mountains, old-growth forest, and wild Pacific shoreline, with several distinct entry points within an hour's drive of town. Visitors often use Forks as a base for exploring the less-crowded western side of the park. Olympic National Park

Just south of town, the Hoh Rain Forest is one of the largest temperate rainforests in the United States and a designated World Heritage Site within the park. Its moss-draped bigleaf maples and towering Sitka spruces receive around 140 inches of rain per year, and short loop trails such as the Hall of Mosses make the ecosystem accessible to casual visitors. The Hoh Visitor Center is approximately an hour's drive south of Forks. Hoh Rain Forest

The Pacific coast is another major attraction, with Rialto Beach located within Olympic National Park just west of town, typically reached in a 20- to 25-minute drive. The beach is known for its offshore sea stacks, abundant driftwood, and views toward James Island, and it offers one of the more accessible stretches of wilderness shoreline in the lower 48. A short drive beyond Rialto, the small community of La Push lies within the Quileute Indian Reservation and features additional beaches, including First Beach, which has long been popular with surfers, photographers, and fans of the Twilight series.

The combination of small-town character, dramatic Pacific Northwest scenery, and proximity to several of the country's most distinctive natural areas makes Forks a compelling base for short-term rentals. Travelers who stay here are rewarded with quiet nights, foggy mornings, and easy access to rainforests, mountains, and the rugged Washington coast, along with a slower pace that stands in contrast to the busier gateway towns further east on the peninsula.

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