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Montesano, WA

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STR Regulations for Montesano, Washington

Short-Term Rental Investment Guide: Montesano, WA (Grays Harbor County)

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

Yes, short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in Montesano, WA, which is located within Grays Harbor County. Short-term rentals are a permitted use with a valid Short Term Rental Permit in multiple zoning districts throughout unincorporated Grays Harbor County, including the Montesano area. The county adopted comprehensive STR regulations through Ordinance 469 on March 22, 2022, establishing a formal permitting process and regulatory framework.

Important Note: Montesano is an incorporated city, and the information provided relates to the unincorporated areas of Grays Harbor County. Properties within Montesano city limits must contact the appropriate city jurisdiction for specific rules and regulations.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Montesano?

Montesano hosts earn a median $24,190/year with $130 ADR and 55% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $31,495+ per year.

See the full Montesano market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in This Market

Step-by-Step Process

Step 1: Site Plan Review Application

  • Complete a site plan review application before any other steps
  • This is mandatory before STR applications will be accepted
  • Contact a Permit Coordinator for guidance

Step 2: Related Permits and Approvals

  • Complete all other requirements identified in Step 1
  • Wait for notification that your project is ready to proceed to Step 3
  • This ensures all preliminary approvals are in place

Step 3: Short Term Rental Permit Application

  • Submit STR permit application through the online portal
  • Staff will review for completeness and compliance with health, safety, and building regulations
  • If compliant, staff will issue the STR Permit
  • Annual renewal required

Property Requirements

Zoning Compliance: STRs are permitted in the following zoning districts:

  • General Development One (G-1)
  • General Development Five (G-5)
  • General Residential (R-2)
  • Resort Residential (R-3)
  • Rural Residential (RR)
  • Lake Quinault (LQ)
  • General Commercial (C-2)

Property Location Verification: Use the online Parcel Search (MapGeo) tool to determine your property's zoning district and confirm STR eligibility.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Primary Permits and Applications

  1. Short Term Rental Permit - $411 (initial application)
  2. Short Term Rental Permit Renewal - $411 (annual renewal)
  3. Site Plan Review Application - $260
  4. Property Management Plan (required submittal)
  5. Floor Plan(s) showing layout and egress routes

Required Documentation

  • Site Plan meeting county requirements
  • Floor Plans (see example in resources)
  • Property Management Information (example plan available)
  • Compliance verification with state and local health, safety, and building regulations
  • Tsunami preparedness information (FEMA V-1011 required)

Supporting Materials

  • Emergency evacuation plans and maps
  • Contact information for property management/responsible party
  • Insurance documentation (recommended)
  • Fire safety compliance documentation

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

County-Level Regulations (Grays Harbor County)

Governing Authority:

  • State Law: RCW 64.37 (Washington State Short-Term Rental regulations)
  • Local Ordinance: Grays Harbor County Code 17.60.020
  • Adoption Date: March 22, 2022 (Ordinance 469)

Permit Requirements:

  • Annual renewal mandatory at least 30 days prior to expiration
  • Online application process through SmartGov portal
  • Compliance review for health, safety, and building regulations

Zoning Restrictions:

  • STRs permitted only in specified zoning districts (listed above)
  • No STR permit required for properties with Conditional Use Permit or Planned Unit Development approved before March 22, 2022

Compliance Monitoring:

  • Report concerns: 360-227-5030
  • Online reporting system available through county website
  • Regular inspections may be conducted

State-Level Regulations (Washington State)

State Framework: RCW 64.37 governs short-term rentals statewide, requiring:

  • Registration requirements for STR operators
  • Safety compliance standards
  • Tax obligations (Hotel/Motel tax collection)

Contact Information for Local Authority

Primary Contact - Grays Harbor County Planning Division

Physical Address: Grays Harbor County Planning Division 100 W Broadway Ave, Suite 31 Montesano, WA 98563

Phone: (360) 249-5579 Email: PBD@graysharbor.us Hours: Monday - Friday: 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM Website: www.graysharbor.us

Specialized Contacts

Permit Coordinators:

  • Phone: (360) 249-4222
  • Email: pbd@graysharbor.us
  • Available for application assistance and process guidance

Report Concerns:

  • Phone: 360-227-5030
  • Online reporting system available

Online Permit Center:

  • Website: co-graysharbor-wa.smartgovcommunity.com
  • Support: (360) 249-5579
  • Email: PBD@graysharbor.us

Emergency Management (Tsunami Preparedness)

Contact: Grays Harbor County Emergency Management Tsunami Evacuation Maps: Available through Emergency Management Division FEMA Resources: V-1011/May 2018 tsunami preparedness materials provided

Source Pages and Resources

Primary Regulatory Sources

Application and Process Resources

Supporting Documentation

Additional Resources

  • Comprehensive Planning Information: Available through Planning Division
  • Building Codes Advisory Council: For technical requirements
  • Environmental Health Division: For septic and health-related requirements
  • Fire Marshal: For fire safety compliance questions

Disclaimer: This guide is based on available information as of the provided sources. Regulations can change, and investors should verify current requirements with the Grays Harbor County Planning Division before making investment decisions. For properties within incorporated city limits like Montesano proper, contact the appropriate city jurisdiction for city-specific regulations.

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Montesano

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 Montesano Market Analysis

Photos of Montesano

Overview of Montesano

Montesano is a small city in western Washington, serving as the county seat of Grays Harbor County. With a population of roughly 4,000 residents, it has the character of a quiet Pacific Northwest river town, set among evergreen forests and the timber and dairy country where the Satsop and Wynoochee river valleys meet. The city is best known as a peaceful inland base for travelers exploring Washington's southwest coast and the Olympic Peninsula, offering a slower-paced alternative to the busier gateway towns along the Pacific. It sits about 100 miles southwest of Seattle, reached by a roughly two-hour drive along US-12 and I-5, and is only a short hop from the larger commercial centers of Aberdeen and Hoquiam to the west.

Just north of Montesano, Lake Quinault is one of the region's most photographed natural attractions, a glacier-fed lake ringed by old-growth temperate rainforest within the southwestern corner of Olympic National Park. Roughly 40 miles from town, the lake area offers hiking trails, the historic Lake Quinault Lodge, and easy access to rainforest drives, making it a favorite day trip for visitors who want a taste of Olympic wilderness without the longer drive to the park's interior high country.

To the west, the Pacific coast and the town of Ocean Shores are about 30 miles from Montesano, drawing visitors with miles of drivable beach, the harbor at Grays Harbor, and a network of canals that give the town its distinct coastal-resort feel. The drive passes through Aberdeen and Hoquiam, where the Grays Harbor Historical Seaport operates a full-scale reconstruction of the 18th-century sailing vessel Lady Washington, the official ship of Washington State and a familiar stand-in for tall ships in film and television.

Closer to home, the surrounding countryside rewards visitors who prefer a quieter pace. The Wynoochee and Satsop valleys offer riverside parks, fishing, and small campgrounds, while the Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge just west of the city is a major spring stopover for migrating shorebirds and a year-round draw for birders. In town, a compact historic district of late-19th and early-20th-century buildings, antique shops, and family-owned diners gives Montesano a small-town welcome that is increasingly hard to find along the coast.

For short-term rental owners, Montesano is appealing precisely because of its small-town character and central position within Grays Harbor County. Travelers drawn to Olympic National Park, the Pacific beaches, and Lake Quinault often seek quieter, more affordable lodging than they can find in the larger gateway cities, and a well-placed rental here gives them access to the rainforest, the harbor, and the coast in a single stay without the crowds.

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