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Manson, WA

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STR Regulations for Manson, Washington

Overview: Are STRs Allowed in Manson?

Short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in Manson, WA, subject to Chelan County regulations. As of 2025, STRs operate under a tiered system with caps, specific location requirements, and operational standards. Manson's STR framework is governed by Chelan County Code Chapter 11.88, with unique provisions for this Urban Growth Area (UGA). Key allowances include:

  • Maximum STR Share: STRs cannot exceed 6% of the total housing stock in Manson's residential zones
  • Tiered System: Three categories (Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3) based on occupancy and ownership
  • Zoning Compliance: Must align with Manson's UGA zoning maps
  • Existing Non-Conforming Rights: Pre-2021 STRs may retain legal status with compliance conditions

Starting an STR Business in Manson

  1. Zoning Verification
    Confirm STR use is permitted at your property location via:

  2. Select STR Tier
    | Tier Type | Owner Occupancy | Max Overnight Guests | Max Daytime Guests |
    |---|---|---|---|
    | Tier 1 | Required | 8 | 8 (excluding owner) |
    | Tier 2 | Not required | 12 | 12 |
    | Tier 3 | Optional | 16 | 16 (excluding owner) |

  3. Lot Requirements
    Verify minimum lot size:

    • Tier 2: 5 acres in RR5 zones
    • Tier 3: 10 acres in RR10/RR20 zones
      No STRs allowed in AC10 or parcels under 0.275 acres

  4. Application Process
    Apply within annual windows (June 1–July 31) unless applying as Tier 1:

    • New Permits: Submitted during annual application period
    • Existing Non-Conforming: Register by Dec 31, 2021 (deadline passed)

Required Documents, Permits & Licenses

  1. Primary Permits

    • Short-Term Rental Land Use Permit: Annual renewal required
    • Conditional Use Permit (CUP): Required for Tier 3 or events exceeding occupancy limits

  2. Core Documents

    • Valid government-issued ID
    • Property deed/title
    • Liability Insurance: $1M minimum (RCW 64.37.050)
    • Property Management Plan: Including fire safety protocols
    • Fire Inspection Certificate: Every other year via Fire Marshal

  3. Compliance Documentation

    • Proof of wastewater/septic compliance (Chelan-Douglas Health District)
    • Good Neighbor Guidelines acknowledgment
    • State UBI number (for tax reporting)

  4. Permit Fees
    | Permit Type | Annual Fee |
    |---|---|
    | Tier 1 | $600 |
    | Tier 2 | $600 |
    | Tier 3 | $900 |
    | Late Renewal | 2x–3x fee (after Nov 1) |

STR Regulations: Manson, County & State

  1. Manson-Specific Rules

    • Separation: Tier 2 STRs must be 200ft+ apart
    • Existing Non-Conforming: Must document vacation rental registration as of Aug 25, 2020
    • Transfer Limits: Permit transfers allowed only once within 3 years of Sept 27, 2021

  2. Operational Standards

    • Occupancy: 2 guests/bedroom (children count)
    • Parking: Per Chelan County Code 11.90.060 (residential standards apply)
    • Signs: 8 sq ft max with permit number & local contact (4-inch letters)
    • Emergency Phone: Landline/VOIP required (registered with Rivercom)

  3. Prohibited Activities

    • RVs, tents, or mobile units as STRs
    • Operating without valid permit
    • Exceeding daytime/occupancy limits without CUP
    • Hosting events violating CUP conditions

  4. State Regulations

    • RCW 64.37: Short-Term Rental statutes (insurance, consumer safety)
    • Hotel/Motel Tax: Required via WA Dept. of Revenue

Local Contacts & Resources

Primary Authority: Chelan County Community Development

Complaint Reporting:

Code Enforcement: Chelan County Sheriff’s Office

Source Links

  1. Chelan County STR Regulations (Full 2025 Code)
  2. 2025 STR Code Changes Summary
  3. Final STR Code (Adopted 2021)
  4. Chelan County Code (Title 11 Land Use)
  5. City of Chelan STR License (For Reference Only)
  6. STR Compliance Guide (Guy Evans Real Estate Blog)

Critical Notes for Investors:

  • Manson STRs must comply with all Chelan County codes (Title 11 for land use, Title 16 for enforcement)
  • Operating without a permit after Dec 31, 2022, violates county code
  • Properties violating UGA zoning may lose non-conforming status
  • Annual permit renewals must be submitted Sept 1–Oct 31 to avoid late fees
  • STR caps are strictly enforced per housing stock calculations

Consult Chelan County Community Development before purchasing property for STR use, particularly regarding non-conforming status and permit eligibility.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Manson?

Manson hosts earn a median $61,947/year with $511 ADR and 50% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $81,985+ per year.

See the full Manson market breakdown

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Manson

Market Saturation Score

036912
Mild Saturation
4/ 12
months with declining YoY revenue
2–4 declining months: early saturation pressure - watch for trend persistence.
View Full Manson Market Analysis

Photos of Manson

Overview of Manson

Manson is a small unincorporated community in Chelan County, in north-central Washington, sitting on the northeastern shore of Lake Chelan. With a population of roughly 1,500 residents, Manson has the relaxed, small-town character of an agricultural and lakeside community, surrounded by apple and cherry orchards, vineyards, and the rolling, shrub-steppe hills that frame the northern end of the lake. It functions as the de facto hub for the north shore of Lake Chelan and serves as a low-key gateway for travelers who want a quieter alternative to the busier town of Chelan on the lake's south end. The nearest sizable city is Wenatchee, about 35 miles to the south, while Seattle lies roughly 180 miles to the southwest, a drive of close to four hours over the Cascades or through the Wenatchee valley.

The defining feature of the area is Lake Chelan itself, a long, narrow, glacier-fed lake stretching about 50 miles into the North Cascades. Manson's waterfront and small public beaches give visitors direct access for swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding, and boat rentals, while the Lady of the Lake ferry connects the north shore communities to the remote upper-lake settlement of Stehekin, deep inside the Lake Chelan National Recreation Area. The lake's combination of warm summer swimming conditions and dramatic mountain scenery at its headwaters is unusual in the Pacific Northwest, and it draws visitors throughout the warmer months.

Just a few miles west of Manson lies Lake Chelan State Park, a roughly 15-minute drive along the north-shore road. The park offers a large campground, day-use areas, a boat launch, and a swimming beach, and it is one of the most popular spots on the lake for families looking to combine water access with a short day trip from their rental.

Wine touring is a notable draw in and around Manson itself. The community sits within the broader Lake Chelan American Viticultural Area, and several tasting rooms and small wineries operate on the north shore, many within a short drive of the town center. The cluster of vineyards along the rolling bench above the lake gives the area an unexpected Mediterranean feel during late summer and early fall, when harvest events and tasting-room traffic peak.

For travelers willing to make a longer day trip, the North Cascades National Park complex lies to the northwest, accessible via a drive of roughly two and a half hours through Wenatchee and over the Cascades. The park's jagged peaks, glaciers, and turquoise rivers offer some of the most dramatic alpine scenery in the contiguous United States, and Manson's position on the eastern side of the range makes it a convenient staging point for self-drive excursions.

Taken together, Manson's combination of lakeside leisure, agricultural scenery, a relaxed pace, and proximity to both the orchards and wineries of the Chelan Valley and the high-alpine wilderness of the North Cascades makes it a compelling base for short-term rentals. Visitors get the tranquility of a small lakeside town with easy access to a remarkably varied range of outdoor experiences.

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