Short‑Term Rental (STR) Investor Guide for Graham, WA
(All information is drawn only from the documents you supplied. Where city‑specific guidance is missing, we flag the gap and point you to the state‑level source that you can contact directly.)

1. Overview – Are Short‑Term Rentals Allowed in Graham, WA?

• State‑level permission: Washington State permits “short‑term rentals” (rents for less than 30 days) as a lodging activity. The only statewide requirement is that the operator register with the Washington Department of Revenue (DOR) and collect/remit the state lodging tax.
• Local authority: The City of Graham (Pierce County) has not issued any city‑specific STR ordinance in the material you provided. In the absence of a municipal ban, STRs are presumed legal as long as you comply with state tax rules and any county zoning requirements that may apply.
• Bottom‑line: Short‑term rentals are allowed in Graham, WA, but you must satisfy state registration and tax obligations and confirm that your property’s zoning (and any homeowner‑association rules) do not prohibit the activity.

2. How to Launch an STR Business in Graham, WA

The process mirrors the steps outlined in the Tacoma tip sheet, adapted for a city with no published STR ordinance.

| Step | Action | Source / Where to Obtain | |------|--------|--------------------------| | 1. Verify Zoning | Confirm that your property’s zoning district (e.g., Residential, Mixed‑Use) permits short‑term rentals. If you intend to rent an entire home you may do so in most residential zones. If you plan to rent individual rooms, the property must be owner‑occupied. | No city‑specific zoning table provided; check Pierce County zoning or the City of Graham planning department. | | 2. Register with the State | Complete the Washington Department of Revenue (DOR) lodging‑tax registration for “personal‑home rentals.” This includes a “Transient Accommodation” registration number. | DOR lodging guide: dor.wa.gov/education/industry-guides/lodging-guide/personal-home-rentals | | 3. Obtain Local Business License (if required) | Many Washington municipalities require a Business License even for home‑based rentals. The City of Tacoma’s tip sheet indicates you must obtain a City Business License from the Tax & License Office. Check whether Graham requires a similar license. | City of Tacoma Business License (reference only) – you will need to verify with Graham’s city clerk. | | 4. Transient‑Accommodation License | If you rent 3 or more individual rooms, you will need a Transient Accommodation License (Tacoma’s terminology). Verify if Graham uses a comparable permit. | Same as above – confirm with the city. | | 5. Safety & Building Code Compliance | • Install working smoke detectors and carbon‑monoxide detectors in each sleeping area.<br>• Provide a safety sign in each unit showing the location of fire extinguishers, gas shut‑off valves, and exits.<br>• Ensure the property meets the Minimum Building and Structures Code for occupancy limits. | Tacoma tip sheet (L‑106 Short‑Term Rentals). | | 6. Post Local Fireworks & Emergency Information | Tacoma requires operators to inform guests that personal fireworks possession is illegal in the city. Graham may have a similar ordinance – verify with the city. | Tacoma tip sheet. | | 7. Set Up a Guest‑Facing Listing | Draft a listing that includes all required safety information, local regulations, and your DOR registration number. | General best‑practice (no source needed). | | 8. Collect & Remit Taxes | • Lodging tax (state) – currently a percentage of the rental charge.<br>• Transient Accommodation tax (if applicable locally).<br>• Sales tax (Washington’s combined sales tax). | Washington DOR lodging guide. | | 9. Maintain Records | Keep copies of all licenses, permits, safety‑inspection reports, guest logs, and tax remittance receipts for at least three years. | Standard practice. |

3. Permits, Licenses, and Documents Required

| Requirement | Who Issues It | What You Receive | |-------------|---------------|------------------| | Washington State Lodging‑Tax Registration (Transient Accommodation) | Washington Department of Revenue | Registration number + guidance on tax collection | | City/County Business License (if required) | City of Graham (or Pierce County) | Business license number | | Transient‑Accommodation License (if renting ≥ 3 rooms) | City of Graham (or the county) | Official license confirming compliance with lodging‑room limits | | Zoning Compliance Confirmation | Pierce County Planning / City of Graham Planning | Written confirmation that STR use is permissible under the zoning designation | | Safety Inspection/Compliance Report (smoke/CO detectors, fire‑extinguisher signage) | Local fire department or building official | Inspection checklist or certificate (if the city requires it) | | Guest‑Facing Safety Signage | Owner (self‑produced) | Printed sign per unit showing safety equipment locations | | Insurance (recommended) | Private insurer | Proof of liability coverage | | Tax Remittance Records | Owner (maintain) | Quarterly/annual filing receipts from DOR (lodging tax) and any local tax authority |

Note: The exact name or format of each document may differ in Graham. Use the Tacoma tip sheet as a template and confirm the local titles with the city clerk or county planning office.

4. Specific Regulations

4.1 State of Washington – Department of Revenue (DOR)

• Definition of “short‑term rental”: Rental of a residential property or portion thereof for fewer than 30 days.
• Registration: All operators must register for a Transient Accommodation account.
• Taxes:
  • Lodging Tax: A percentage (currently ~ 1.5 % – 2.0 % depending on county) of the total rent, remitted monthly.
  • Sales Tax: Washington’s combined sales tax (state + local) applies to the transaction.
• Reporting: Monthly filing of the lodging tax return (Form 19‑020 or the online portal).

Contact (State):

• Phone: 360‑902‑8050 (Lodging Tax Program)
• Website: dor.wa.gov/education/industry-guides/lodging-guide/personal-home-rentals

4.2 Pierce County (County‑level regulations)

• The county’s zoning ordinances may contain additional occupancy or permit requirements for STRs.
• Check: The Pierce County Planning & Land Services (PALS) website for “Short‑Term Rental” or “Transient Accommodation” information.

Contact (County):

• Phone: 253‑798‑6030 (Planning & Land Services)
• Website: www.co.pierce.wa.us/ (search “Short‑Term Rental”)

4.3 City of Graham

• No city‑specific STR ordinance was found in the supplied documents.
• Action Required: Contact the City of Graham Planning Department or City Clerk to ask whether a city‑specific business license, transient‑accommodation permit, or zoning exemption exists.

Contact (City):

• Phone: (253) 857‑3400 (Graham City Hall)
• Website: www.cityofgraham.com/ (search for “Business License” or “Short‑Term Rental”)

5. Safety & Operational Guidelines (From Tacoma Tip Sheet – Adapted)

| Item | Requirement | Applicability to Graham | |------|-------------|--------------------------| | Occupancy Limits | Determined by the Minimum Building and Structures Code (Title 2). Ensure that the number of guests does not exceed the legal limit for the dwelling’s size and layout. | Follow Washington State building code (applicable in Graham). | | Owner‑Occupancy Rule | If renting individual rooms, the owner must reside on the property. If renting the entire home, owner residency is not required. | Verify with the city’s zoning officer whether Graham adopts the same rule. | | Room‑Count Limits | - Entire home or ADU: allowed in all Residential, Commercial, Mixed‑Use, and Downtown districts.<br>- 1‑2 guest rooms: allowed in any Residential district without a CUP.<br>- 3‑9 guest rooms: allowed in higher‑density residential districts (R‑3, R‑4L, R‑4, R‑5, RCX, NRX) only with an approved Conditional Use Permit (CUP). | These are Tacoma‑specific limits; Graham may have its own caps. Check the city. | | Safety Signage | Post a sign in each unit showing the location of fire extinguishers, gas shut‑off valve, and emergency exits. | Follow local fire‑code requirements (Graham Fire Department). | | Smoke & CO Detectors | Install working detectors in each sleeping area. | Required by Washington State Uniform Fire Code. | | Fireworks Ban Information | Inform guests that personal fireworks possession is illegal in Tacoma. Similar bans may exist in Graham; verify with the city. | Provide any local fireworks or fireworks‑display restrictions to guests. | | Seasonal/Emergency Notifications | Post city‑wide alerts (e.g., road closures, emergency orders) on the unit’s information packet. | Ensure you share any Pierce County or city‑issued emergency alerts. |

6. Contact Information Summary

| Authority | Role | Phone | Email (if provided) | Website | |-----------|------|-------|----------------------|---------| | Washington Dept. of Revenue – Lodging Tax | State registration & lodging tax | 360‑902‑8050 | — | dor.wa.gov/education/industry-guides/lodging-guide/personal-home-rentals | | Pierce County Planning & Land Services (PALS) | County zoning/land‑use guidance | 253‑798‑6030 | — | www.co.pierce.wa.us/ | | City of Graham – City Hall / Planning Dept. | Local business licensing, zoning verification | (253) 857‑3400 | — | www.cityofgraham.com/ | | Tacoma Planning & Development Services (reference only) | Source of the tip‑sheet, not a regulator for Graham | 253‑591‑5030 | zoning@cityoftacoma.org | www.tacomapermits.org/tip-sheet-index/short-term-rentals |

If you cannot locate a specific email for Graham, use the general city‑hall number or send a written inquiry to the city clerk.

7. Source Links (