Kenmore, Washington Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

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

Short-term rentals ARE allowed in Kenmore, Washington. The city permits short-term rental operations subject to state regulations and local business requirements. While Kenmore does not appear to have city-specific short-term rental licensing ordinances in the provided content, operators must comply with Washington State regulations (RCW 64.37) and obtain general business licensing through the city.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Kenmore?

Kenmore hosts earn a median $30,425/year with $146 ADR and 76% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $38,792+ per year.

See the full Kenmore market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Kenmore

Step 1: Business Registration and Licensing

Obtain a City Business License: Kenmore requires all hosts to obtain a business license regardless of how frequently they rent out their property
Register through the city's business portal: Complete registration via the city's online business licensing system
EIN/Tax Registration: Obtain a Federal Employer Identification Number for tax reporting purposes

Step 2: Property Compliance and Setup

Verify Zoning Compliance: Ensure your property is located in a zone that allows short-term rentals
Property Insurance: Secure comprehensive liability insurance (minimum $1 million coverage required under state law)
Safety Compliance: Install carbon monoxide alarms per state building code requirements

Step 3: Tax Registration and Collection

State Tax Registration: Register with the Washington State Department of Revenue
Lodging Tax Setup: Establish systems to collect and remit Washington State lodging taxes
Sales Tax Registration: Register for sales tax collection if required

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Business Licensing

City Business License: Required for all short-term rental operators in Kenmore
Business Registration Form: Available through the city's Development Services department
Contact Information: Must maintain current contact information with the city

State Compliance Requirements

Washington State Department of Revenue Registration: For tax collection and remittance
Liability Insurance Certificate: Minimum $1 million primary liability coverage
Consumer Safety Compliance: Documentation of safety measures implemented

Safety and Health Standards

Carbon Monoxide Alarm Installation: Per RCW 19.27.530 requirements
Emergency Information Posted: Must display emergency contact information, floor plans, escape routes, and occupancy limits
Contact Information Posted: Operator contact information must be conspicuously displayed

Tax Documentation

Tax Registration Confirmation: From Washington State Department of Revenue
Lodging Tax Collection Setup: Systems for collecting state lodging taxes
Record Keeping Systems: For tracking all rental transactions and tax obligations

Specific Regulations: City, County, and State Level

City of Kenmore Regulations

Business Licensing: The city requires all short-term rental hosts to obtain a business license regardless of rental frequency. This general business licensing requirement applies to all commercial activities within city limits.

Zoning Compliance: Hosts must ensure their property is located in a zone that permits short-term rental operations. Zoning restrictions may limit the ability to rent certain property types or operate in specific areas.

Local Tax Obligations: Operators must collect and remit applicable local lodging taxes in addition to state requirements.

King County Level

No specific King County short-term rental regulations were identified in the provided content. Short-term rental operations should comply with any county-level health and safety requirements that may apply.

Washington State Regulations (RCW 64.37)

Definition and Scope:

Short-term rentals are defined as lodging for fewer than 30 consecutive nights
Excludes hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, and timeshare properties
Includes single-family residences, apartments, condominiums, and room rentals

Consumer Safety Requirements:

Provide contact information to guests during their stay
Ensure compliance with carbon monoxide alarm requirements
Post conspicuous information including:
- Property street address
- Emergency contact information (police, fire, medical)
- Floor plans with fire exits and escape routes
- Maximum occupancy limits
- Operator contact information

Tax Obligations:

Remit all applicable local, state, and federal taxes
Collect and remit lodging taxes, sales taxes, and other applicable taxes
Platforms may collect and remit taxes on behalf of operators

Platform Requirements:

Platforms must register with the Department of Revenue
Platforms must inform operators of tax and safety responsibilities
Platforms must provide written notice about personal insurance limitations

Insurance Requirements:

Maintain primary liability insurance of at least $1 million aggregate coverage
Alternatively, conduct transactions through platforms providing equal or greater coverage
Operators may seek contributions from other insurers providing coverage

Contact Information for Local Authority

City of Kenmore - Business Licensing and Development

Address: 18120 68th Ave NE, Kenmore, WA 98028
Phone: (425) 398-8900
Website: www.kenmorewa.gov
Department: Development Services - Business Registration & Licensing

Washington State Department of Revenue

Short-Term Rental Registration: Available through the Department of Revenue online portal
Phone: (360) 705-6741
Website: dor.wa.gov

Code Compliance and Enforcement

Kenmore Code Compliance: Available through the city's Development Services department
Report Concerns: (425) 398-8900
Website: www.kenmorewa.gov/government/departments/development-services/code-compliance

Source Pages

Important Notes for Investors

Regulatory Monitoring: While no specific Kenmore short-term rental ordinances were found in the provided content, the city may implement additional regulations. Monitor city council meetings and municipal code updates regularly.
Zoning Verification: Before purchasing property for short-term rental investment, verify zoning compliance with the city's Planning Department to ensure short-term rentals are permitted in the target area.
Tax Complexity: Washington State has complex lodging tax requirements that vary by jurisdiction. Consult with tax professionals familiar with short-term rental tax obligations.
Insurance Considerations: Standard homeowners insurance typically does not cover short-term rental activities. Secure commercial short-term rental insurance that meets or exceeds the $1 million state minimum.
Community Relations: Kenmore maintains a residential character. Establish good relationships with neighbors and comply with all local ordinances to maintain positive community relations and avoid code enforcement issues.

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Ask the AI Advisor about Kenmore

Kenmore is a small suburban city of roughly 22,000 residents located in King County, Washington, on the north end of Lake Washington about twelve miles northeast of downtown Seattle. Reached by driving around the north end of the lake through Bothell and Kirkland, the city has the feel of a quiet, well-kept residential community wrapped around a stretch of lakefront, with a historic airpark, a popular state park, and a stretch of the regional trail system all within a short distance of one another. It serves as a relaxed base for visitors who want to explore the north shore of Lake Washington, the Woodinville wine country just to the east, and the broader Seattle metro area without staying in the city itself.

A major draw within the city is Saint Edward State Park, a 316-acre park set on a wooded promontory that juts out into Lake Washington. The park surrounds the old Saint Edward Seminary, a striking 1931 Romanesque-style building that has been restored as a lodge, and offers miles of forested hiking trails, a swim area, and picnic lawns. It sits just minutes from the heart of Kenmore and is one of the most distinctive outdoor destinations on the north end of the lake.

Just down the shoreline, Kenmore Air Harbor is the longtime home of Kenmore Air, one of the largest seaplane operators in North America. From its docks, regularly scheduled flights shuttle passengers to the San Juan Islands, Victoria, and other destinations in the Salish Sea, and the company offers scenic flightseeing tours that depart directly from the lake. For visitors, a trip to the harbor to watch the floatplanes take off and land is itself a small attraction, even without booking a flight.

The Burke-Gilman Trail passes directly through Kenmore on its roughly 27-mile route from Seattle's Fremont neighborhood to the Sammamish River valley. The Kenmore segment runs along the lakeshore and through the Log Boom Park area, making it a favorite stretch for cyclists and runners, and it connects west into Seattle and east into Bothell and the Marymoor Park area in Redmond without ever leaving a separated, car-free path.

A short drive east brings visitors to Woodinville, the well-known tasting-room hub for the wines of the Yakima and Walla Walla valleys. Dozens of wineries are clustered within a few miles of Kenmore, along with distilleries and tasting rooms, making the city an inexpensive overnight base for a weekend of wine touring.

Taken together, Kenmore offers a calm, lake-oriented setting within easy reach of Seattle, the Eastside tech corridor, and one of Washington's best-known wine destinations, giving short-term rental guests a quieter alternative to staying in the city while keeping major attractions within a twenty- to thirty-minute drive.