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

Yes, short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in Fox Island, WA. Fox Island is located within Pierce County, Washington, and operates under the county's zoning regulations. Vacation rentals (short-term rental accommodations for fewer than 30 consecutive nights) are permitted within legally established single-family dwellings or accessory structures throughout unincorporated Pierce County, including Fox Island. The regulations are codified in Pierce County Code 18A.37.040, which establishes specific standards, requirements, and limitations for both Bed and Breakfast operations and Vacation Rentals.

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

Establishing a short-term rental business in Fox Island requires compliance with Pierce County regulations. The process involves several key steps:

1. Initial Property Assessment Before proceeding, verify that your property qualifies as a legally established single-family dwelling or accessory structure. The property must be located within a zone that allows residential uses, which is the case throughout most of Pierce County including Fox Island.

2. Capacity Planning Design your STR operation to comply with Pierce County's occupancy limits. A maximum of five guest rooms may be provided, accommodating no more than two guests per bedroom and not exceeding a total of ten guests at any time. These limitations apply regardless of the size of your property.

3. Business Registration Obtain all required business licenses, including state and county business licenses. While the specific requirements for Pierce County business licenses aren't detailed in the provided materials, most jurisdictions require registration for commercial operations.

4. Neighbor Notification Before filing your affidavit, you must provide notification to all neighboring property owners directly adjacent to your vacation rental property. This notification should inform them of your intent to operate a short-term rental and provide information about how they can contact you with concerns.

5. Guest Information Preparation Develop materials providing guests with information about guest parking spaces. This information must be readily available to renters during their stay.

6. Good Neighbor Guidelines Prepare and distribute a Good Neighbor brochure describing appropriate etiquette for residing in a vacation rental. This document should address expectations regarding noise, parking, trash disposal, and community behavior.

7. Vacation Rental Affidavit Filing Complete and file a Vacation Rental Affidavit with the Pierce County Planning and Public Works Department. This is a mandatory requirement that must be completed before beginning operations.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

The following documentation is required to legally operate a short-term rental in Fox Island:

Mandatory Affidavit

• Vacation Rental Affidavit filed with Pierce County Planning and Public Works Department containing:
  • Property owner's intent to use their residence as a Vacation Rental
  • Contact information for the owner, representative, or property management company including phone number and email
  • Listing of internet sites where the Vacation Rental property is advertised
  • Certification that required neighborhood notification has been provided

Business Licensing

• Washington State business license
• Pierce County business license (confirm specific requirements with the county)

Guest Information Materials

• Written information indicating the location of guest parking spaces
• Good Neighbor brochure for short-term rentals describing appropriate etiquette

Operational Documentation

• Verification of property's legal status as a single-family dwelling or accessory structure
• Documentation of neighbor notification efforts
• Contact information for 24/7 response to guest or neighbor issues (recommended)

Compliance Verification

• Confirmation that occupancy limits will not be exceeded (max 5 guest rooms, max 10 total guests)
• Documentation showing accommodation stays will be fewer than 30 consecutive nights
• Evidence of property's compliance with health and safety regulations

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals in Pierce County (Fox Island)

Pierce County Code 18A.37.040 establishes the following specific regulations for vacation rentals:

Operational Limitations

• Maximum of five guest rooms provided
• Maximum of two guests per bedroom
• Maximum of ten total guests at any time
• All lodging compensation must be paid (no complimentary stays)
• Minimum stay is not specifically regulated, but stays exceeding 30 consecutive days are not regulated under this chapter and would fall under traditional rental housing regulations

Neighborhood Relations

• Vacation rental owners must notify all directly adjacent neighboring property owners before beginning operations
• Good Neighbor brochures must be provided to each renter describing appropriate vacation rental etiquette
• Guests must be informed about parking arrangements

Property Standards

• Vacation rentals must be operated within legally established single-family dwellings or accessory structures
• If the standards cannot be met, a Conditional Use Permit is required

Business License Requirements

• STR operators must obtain appropriate business licenses (state and county)
• The provided materials don't specify renewal requirements, but most jurisdictions require annual business license renewal

Permitting Process

• Vacation rentals are permitted outright (no conditional use permit required) if they meet all specified criteria
• If capacity limits or other standards are exceeded, a Conditional Use Permit would be required
• No specific permitting fee is mentioned in the Pierce County materials

Comparison with Bed and Breakfast Standards While not directly applicable to non-hosted STRs, it's worth noting that Bed and Breakfast operations have similar capacity limits (max 5 guest rooms, 10 guests) but require that the proprietor resides on the property.

Additional Considerations

• Pierce County has established good neighbor guidelines that STR operators should follow
• Compliance with health, safety, and nuisance regulations (building code, fire code, sanitation, noise) is required
• Operators should be aware that Pierce County tracks STR activity and may modify regulations in the future

Contact Information for Local Authority

The primary authority for short-term rental regulations in Fox Island is the Pierce County Planning and Public Works Department:

Pierce County Planning and Public Works

• Phone: (253) 798-3739
• Website: www.piercecountywa.gov/
• Address: 955 Tacoma Ave S, Suite 100, Tacoma, WA 98402
• Email: planning@piercecountywa.gov

This department handles:

• Vacation Rental Affidavit processing
• Zoning compliance questions
• Building and development inquiries
• Code enforcement matters

For specific questions about operating a short-term rental in Fox Island, contact the Planning and Public Works Department directly. They can provide guidance on local interpretations of the county regulations and any Fox Island-specific considerations.

Links to Source Pages

• Pierce County Code 18A.37.040 (Bed and Breakfast and Short-Term Vacation Rentals): pierce.county.codes/PCC/18A.37.040
• Gig Harbor STR FAQ (for reference on neighboring municipality): www.gigharborwa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/3392/Short-Term-Rentals-FAQ?bidId=
• Olympia STR Regulations (Thurston County - not directly applicable): www.olympiawa.gov/Document_center/Government/Codes,%20Plans%20&%20Standards/STR/Short-term-rental-regulations-summary.pdf

Note: These regulations apply specifically to unincorporated Pierce County, which includes Fox Island. Properties within incorporated city limits may have additional or different regulations that must be observed in addition to county requirements.