Overview: Are short‑term rentals allowed in Lynnwood?

Yes—short-term rentals are allowed in Lynnwood. Lynnwood does not have city-specific short-term rental regulations or a local STR permit requirement; STRs in Lynnwood are governed by Washington State law (RCW 64.37). If you are inside Lynnwood city limits, you do not need a separate city-level STR license or permit; however, you must comply with state requirements for consumer safety, taxes, and insurance, and obtain any general business licensing that may be required for tax collection and reporting (see “Required documents” below).

Key state-level obligations you must meet as a Lynnwood STR operator:

• Taxes: Collect and remit state, local, and any applicable lodging taxes, unless your platform collects and remits on your behalf.
• Consumer safety posting and contact availability: Post required safety and occupancy information inside the unit and provide a live contact during guest stays.
• Liability insurance: Maintain at least $1,000,000 in primary liability coverage for the STR or use a platform that provides equal or greater coverage.
• Platform registration: Platforms that facilitate bookings must register with the Washington Department of Revenue and provide certain notices to operators.

Note on city/county requirements: Snohomish County and some nearby cities (e.g., City of Snohomish) have their own STR rules. Those rules do not apply in Lynnwood unless your property is actually within those jurisdictions.

How to start a short-term rental business in Lynnwood

1. Confirm jurisdiction and zoning

• Confirm your property is within the City of Lynnwood. If you are unsure, use the City’s boundaries or contact the City.

2. Set up tax registration and compliance

• Obtain a Washington State business license (often done through the Washington Department of Revenue’s Business Licensing Service).
• Register to collect and remit sales tax and any local lodging taxes that apply to Lynnwood (or confirm your platform does this on your behalf).
• If Lynnwood issues a general business/occupation tax certificate or other local tax registration for lodging, obtain it; otherwise, follow state requirements.

3. Secure required insurance

• Maintain primary liability insurance with minimum limits of $1,000,000 covering the STR or ensure your platform provides equal or greater coverage.

4. Implement consumer safety requirements

• Provide a live point-of-contact during guest stays and post all required safety information inside the unit (see “Consumer safety” below).

5. Prepare the property and guest experience

• Install/maintain operational smoke and carbon monoxide alarms consistent with state building code requirements.
• Prepare a house manual with Wi‑Fi, appliance instructions, parking, noise/quiet hours, emergency contacts, and local tips.
• Set up keyless entry and implement housekeeping standards.

6. Launch and optimize

• List on platforms (Airbnb, VRBO, etc.) that register with the state and handle tax reporting where applicable.
• Monitor compliance with state consumer safety and insurance requirements, and review local postings annually.

Required documents, permits, licenses, and guidelines

• Washington State business license
  • Purpose: Registration for tax collection/remittance and general business compliance.
  • How: Apply via the Washington Department of Revenue’s Business Licensing Service.
• Short‑Term Rental (State law) compliance
  • Liability insurance: Minimum $1,000,000 in primary liability coverage or platform-provided equal/greater coverage (RCW 64.37.050).
  • Consumer safety posting and contact availability (RCW 64.37.030).
• Consumer safety postings required inside each STR unit
  • STR street address.
  • Emergency contact information for police, fire, and emergency medical services.
  • Floor plan indicating fire exits and escape routes.
  • Maximum occupancy limits.
  • Operator or designated contact information.
• Guest-facing contact availability
  • You or a designated representative must be reachable by guests during the entire stay.
• Safety systems and alarms
  • Compliance with RCW 19.27.530 and State Building Code Council rules regarding carbon monoxide alarms.
• Optional/conditional local requirements
  • If Lynnwood issues a local lodging/business tax certificate or similar, obtain it. Otherwise, rely on state registration and local tax reporting obligations.
• Platform obligations (if you use platforms)
  • Platforms must register with the Washington Department of Revenue and provide safety and insurance notices to operators (RCW 64.37.040).

Specific regulations for short‑term rentals: city, county, and state

• City of Lynnwood
  • No city-specific STR permit or separate STR license requirement identified.
  • STRs must otherwise comply with all applicable state laws and any general city business/tax registrations that apply to lodging businesses in Lynnwood.
• Snohomish County
  • No countywide STR permit requirement identified in the provided sources. Countywide specifics are not confirmed by the materials provided.
• State of Washington (RCW 64.37)
  • Definitions (RCW 64.37.010): “Short‑term rental” means a lodging use (not a hotel/motel/bed & breakfast) in which a dwelling unit or portion thereof is offered to guests for fewer than thirty consecutive nights.
  • Taxes (RCW 64.37.020): Operators must remit all applicable local, state, and federal taxes, unless the platform collects/remits on the operator’s behalf.
  • Consumer safety (RCW 64.37.030): Operators must provide a live contact during the stay; post required safety and occupancy information; and comply with CO alarm rules. First violation earns a warning; subsequent violation is a class 2 civil infraction.
  • Short‑term rental platforms (RCW 64.37.040): Platforms must register with the Department of Revenue, inform operators of tax obligations and safety requirements, and notify operators that personal homeowners’ policies may not cover STR liability.
  • Liability insurance (RCW 64.37.050): Operators must maintain at least $1,000,000 in primary liability insurance or conduct transactions through a platform providing equal or greater coverage.

Note on other jurisdictions: The City of Snohomish has its own STR program that is specific to properties inside the City of Snohomish and not applicable to Lynnwood. Nearby jurisdictions often differ—always verify the actual property address jurisdiction before relying on another city’s rules.

Contact information

• Washington State Legislature (RCW 64.37 questions/complaints)

  • Legislative Hotline: 1‑800‑562‑6000
  • TTY (deaf/hard of hearing): 1‑800‑833‑6388

• Washington Department of Revenue (business licensing and platform registration)

  • Main line: 360‑902‑7000
  • Business Licensing Service portal and help:
    • Business Licensing Service: Washington Department of Revenue business licensing
    • DOR help: Washington Department of Revenue help

• City of Lynnwood – Development & Business Services (general guidance)

  • Phone: 425‑670‑5000
  • Website: City of Lynnwood website

• City of Snohomish (not Lynnwood; informational only)

  • Phone: 360‑568‑3115
  • Email: info@snohomishwa.gov
  • Website: City of Snohomish – Short‑Term Rentals page

Links to source pages

• RCW 64.37 – Washington State Short‑Term Rentals: app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=64.37&full=true
• City of Lynnwood – Official Website: www.lynnwoodwa.gov
• City of Snohomish – Short‑Term Rentals (jurisdictional contrast only): www.snohomishwa.gov/768/Short-Term-Rentals

Notes for investors

• Because Lynnwood does not impose separate STR licensing or permits, your primary compliance focus is Washington State law (RCW 64.37). Confirm local lodging/business tax obligations that may apply within Lynnwood’s city limits and ensure your platform remits taxes on your behalf or that you remit directly.
• Maintain the required consumer safety postings and contact availability to avoid enforcement (warnings first, then civil infraction after warning).
• Keep your liability coverage at or above $1,000,000 or confirm your platform provides equivalent primary coverage.