Longview, Washington Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

Overview: Are STRs allowed in Longview, WA?

Allowed: Yes, but only in specific, commercial zoning contexts and subject to business licensing and life-safety requirements.
Not allowed in residential zones: Vacation/short-term rentals (rentals for fewer than 30 days) are expressly prohibited in accessory dwelling units (ADUs) and in single-family dwellings to which ADUs are accessory under Longview Municipal Code (LMC) 19.22.025(5)(d). Given Longview’s home occupation standards and residential-use intent, operating an STR as a “home occupation” in residential zones is not compliant and would likely be treated as unlawful transient lodging.
Practical outcome for investors: Treat residential-zoned single-family homes, duplexes, and ADUs in Longview as ineligible for STR use. Consider mid-term rentals (30+ days) in those settings, or pursue commercial-zoned properties where STR operation can be properly licensed and inspected.

How to start a short-term rental business in this market

Confirm zoning
- Residential zones (e.g., R‑1 through R‑4, TNR, RF‑1, M‑S‑H, PUD): STRs are not permitted under city code as currently written (see LMC 19.22.025(5)(d)).
- Commercial/industrial zones: STRs may be feasible if the use is allowed by the underlying zone and if life-safety and licensing requirements are met.
Secure a business license
- Apply via the Washington Department of Revenue’s Business Licensing Service for the City of Longview endorsement (required even for home occupations in residential zones, though home occupations are not suitable for STRs).
Obtain required permits and inspections
- Certificate of Occupancy (annual): For all commercial businesses located within Longview city limits.
- Fire and Life Safety Permits (annual): Required if the business maintains, stores, uses, or handles hazardous materials, or conducts processes hazardous to life/property, or installs related equipment, per the Uniform Fire Code.
Submit for City review and approvals
- The City reviews your application and location for compliance; approval triggers assignment of a business license number and coordination with the Washington Department of Revenue.
Ongoing compliance and renewals
- Maintain current licenses and permits, schedule inspections, and keep records demonstrating compliance with fire, life-safety, and zoning standards.

Required documents, permits, licenses, and guidelines

Washington business license with City of Longview endorsement
- Apply online through the State of Washington Business Licensing Service.
- Even residential “home occupations” require a city business license; however, residential STRs are not allowed under Longview’s code.
Certificate of Occupancy (annual)
- Required for all commercial businesses within city limits.
- Annual fee: $20.
Fire and Life Safety Permits (annual)
- Required if hazardous materials/processes/equipment are present or used, per the Uniform Fire Code.
- Annual fee: $62 per permit.
Home occupation rules (for reference only; not a path for STRs)
- If operating any business from a residence, you must comply with LMC 19.22.030 (e.g., 30% floor-area cap, resident-only employment, no exterior modifications not customary to a dwelling, noise/odor limits, signage restrictions).
Commercial location zoning confirmation
- Ensure the site is in a zoning district where transient lodging is a permitted or conditionally permitted use. Coordinate with the Community Development Department.

Specific regulations for STRs – City of Longview, Cowlitz County, and State of Washington

City of Longview (zoning and use)
- STRs are prohibited in ADUs and in single-family dwellings to which ADUs are accessory (LMC 19.22.025(5)(d)). Short-term rental is defined as lodging for fewer than 30 days.
- Home occupation standards (LMC 19.22.030) reflect residential character protections and are not a compliant pathway for STRs in residential zones.
Cowlitz County
- No county-specific STR rules are provided in the source materials. For any unincorporated areas you’re considering, confirm zoning and permitting directly with county authorities.
State of Washington (STR definition and taxation)
- State definition: A short-term rental is a property that is not a hotel and is occupied by a tenant for fewer than 30 days (industry reference widely cited in Washington).
- Tax obligations: STR operators typically have lodging tax and sales tax responsibilities. Because the provided sources do not include Washington State Department of Revenue (DOR) guidance specific to STRs, operators should confirm current tax requirements and registration obligations directly with DOR.

Contact information for local authority in charge of STRs/business licensing

City of Longview – Community Development / Business Licensing
- Phone (general): 360-442-5000
- Business License questions: 360-442-5092 or 360-442-5087
- Fire/Life Safety and inspections: 360-442-5088
- Mailing Address:
  - City of Longview
  - P.O. Box 128
  - 1525 Broadway
  - Longview, WA 98632
- Apply for City business license endorsement via the State of Washington Business Licensing Service.
Note: Because the provided sources do not list a city website specific to short-term rentals or a dedicated STR permit portal, direct outreach to the numbers above is recommended for confirmation of zoning, permitting, and tax registration.

Links to source pages

City of Longview – Regulations & Requirements (Business Licensing, CO, Fire Permits, Home Occupations)
- www.mylongview.com/357/Regulations-Requirements
Longview Municipal Code – Chapter 19.22 (ADUs; Home Occupations; STR prohibition in ADUs)
- www.codepublishing.com/WA/Longview/html/Longview19/Longview1922.html
State of Washington – Business Licensing Service (City of Longview endorsement)
- dor.wa.gov/manage-business/city-endorsements/longview

Important notes for investors

Treat residential properties (including ADUs) as ineligible for STRs in Longview; consider mid-term rentals (30+ days) to align with city code.
If pursuing a commercial-zoned property, confirm allowable use with the City, obtain a Certificate of Occupancy and any necessary Fire/Life Safety Permits, and secure a business license endorsement through the State.
Confirm Washington State lodging/sales tax obligations directly with the Department of Revenue, as STR-specific tax rules are not included in the provided sources.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Longview?

Longview hosts earn a median $27,709/year with $172 ADR and 55% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $39,024+ per year.

See the full Longview market breakdown

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Ask the AI Advisor about Longview

Longview, Washington sits in Cowlitz County in the southwestern part of the state, along the north bank of the Columbia River just across from its sister city of Kelso. With a population of roughly 37,000, it has the distinctive character of a 20th-century planned community laid out in the 1920s by timber magnate R.A. Long, and today it serves as a regional hub for southwest Washington's lumber, manufacturing, and river commerce. The city is best known as a jumping-off point for outdoor adventures in the Columbia River Gorge and at Mount St. Helens, and it lies about 50 miles north of Portland, Oregon, the nearest major metropolitan area.

Running through the heart of Longview, Lake Sacajawea is a long, narrow freshwater park framed by old-growth trees, walking paths, and seasonal flower displays. The lake and its surrounding green space are within minutes of any point in the city, making it the central place where residents and visitors walk, jog, and watch the resident herons and swans. Tucked into its southern end is a peaceful Japanese garden, one of several cultural touches that give the planned city a quieter, more deliberate feel.

A short drive east of Longview brings travelers to the Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, where the mountain's 1980 eruption reshaped the surrounding landscape. From Longview, the Johnston Ridge Observatory and the Spirit Lake area are roughly 50 to 60 miles away, or about an hour and a half to two hours via State Route 504. The monument offers hiking, interpretive exhibits, and panoramic views of the crater, and the drive itself winds through recovering forests that show decades of regrowth.

Downtown Longview and the riverfront add another layer to the city's appeal. The Nutty Narrows Bridge, a small pedestrian span built in 1963 to help squirrels cross a busy street in a city park, has become a beloved local landmark and a quirky stop for curious travelers. Just minutes from the downtown core, the Columbia River offers boating, fishing, and shoreline walks, and the Cowlitz County Historical Museum preserves artifacts from the region's timber, Native American, and pioneer past. Together, these smaller attractions give visitors a way to spend a slow afternoon without ever leaving the city limits.

Longview's combination of small-city character, riverfront access, and proximity to two of the Pacific Northwest's most striking outdoor destinations makes it a practical and underrated base for short-term rentals. Travelers can spend the day hiking a volcano or exploring the Columbia River Gorge and return to a quieter, tree-lined community with parks, museums, and walkable neighborhoods. For hosts, that mix of gateway appeal and hometown charm offers a steady stream of road-trippers, outdoor enthusiasts, and visitors looking to experience southwest Washington without the bustle of Portland or Seattle.