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Newport, WA

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STR Regulations for Newport, Washington

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

YES, short-term rentals are allowed in Newport, WA, but they are subject to strict regulations at the county level. Newport is located within Pend Oreille County, and short-term rentals (defined as rentals of 30 days or less) require a Vacation Rental Permit from the Pend Oreille County Community Development Department. The operation must comply with all county codes, annual renewal requirements, and specific life-safety standards.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Newport?

Newport hosts earn a median $23,945/year with $158 ADR and 62% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $35,945+ per year.

See the full Newport market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Newport, WA

Step-by-Step Process:

  1. Pre-Application Consultation

    • Contact the Pend Oreille County Community Development Department
    • Schedule a pre-application inspection with the Building Inspector
    • Review Chapter XX.70 of the Pend Oreille Development Regulations

  2. Application Submission

    • Submit complete application package to the Community Development Department
    • Include all required documents (see documentation requirements below)
    • Pay application fees and advertising fees for public notices

  3. Public Notice and Hearing Process

    • Post public notice signs on the property (minimum 15 days before hearing)
    • Notice of Application sent to neighbors within 300 feet
    • Application processed by Hearing Examiner

  4. Inspections and Approvals

    • Complete life and safety inspection
    • Meet all approval criteria
    • Obtain maximum occupancy designation

  5. Ongoing Compliance

    • Annual renewal required
    • Maintain current documentation
    • Collect and remit all required taxes

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Primary Permit Required:

Vacation Rental Permit - Processed as a Class 2 application, valid for one year from approval date

Required Documentation:

  • Completed Application Form with property owner information
  • Site Plan (drawn to scale) including:
    • Property lines and dimensions
    • Location of existing and proposed structures
    • Septic systems and drain fields
    • Proposed parking layout
    • Distances between structures and parcel lines
    • Locations of existing and proposed roads/driveways
    • Distances between structures and waterbodies
    • North arrow and scale
  • Title Report of the property
  • Application Fees (varies)
  • SEPA Checklist (if required)
  • Draft Property Management Plan per Pend Oreille Development Regulations xx.70.030

Additional Requirements:

  • Property Management Plan including:
    • Contact information for property owner and authorized agents
    • 24-hour emergency contact information
    • Enforcement compliance procedures
    • Location of nearest medical facilities
    • Trash removal plan (minimum once per week when occupied)
  • Certificate of Inspection documenting compliance with life and safety checklist
  • Annual Documentation of full tax and fee compliance

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

Pend Oreille County Regulations (Chapter XX.70):

Approval Criteria:

  1. Property Management Plan - Must be approved by County and maintained current
  2. Site Plan - Must show available off-street parking, refuse facilities, emergency shut-offs, and amenities
  3. Parking Requirements:
    • Minimum 2 off-street parking stalls
    • 1 stall required for every 4 authorized occupants
    • Must meet Transportation and Land Development standards (ITE)
  4. Life and Safety Inspection - Required annually with maximum occupancy set by International Residential Code
  5. Compliance Monitoring - Project Sponsor responsible for guest compliance and complaint response
  6. Tax Compliance - Responsible for all required taxes, fees, and charges with annual documentation
  7. Signage - Limited to one sign no larger than 16" x 32"

Operational Requirements:

  • Occupancy Limit - Set by Building Inspector using International Building Code standards
  • Management - Owner or authorized agent must be available for 24-hour response
  • Complaint Response - Must promptly investigate and respond to complaints
  • Annual Renewal - Permits must be renewed yearly through Class 1 application
  • Non-Transferable - Permits cannot be transferred to new owners or locations

Newport Municipal Code Application:

The City of Newport follows Pend Oreille County's land use framework. Applications requiring special consideration may need:

  • Conditional Use Permit for unique situations
  • Site Plan Review for larger developments
  • SEPA Compliance if environmental review required

Contact Information

Pend Oreille County Community Development Department

Physical Address:
418 S. Scott Avenue
P.O. Box 5066
Newport, WA 99156

Phone: (509) 447-4821
Website: pendoreilleco.org

Office Hours: Contact by phone for current hours

Key Contacts:

  • Community Development Director - For general permitting questions
  • Building Inspector - For life and safety inspections and occupancy determinations
  • Hearing Examiner - For public hearing scheduling and decisions

Links to Source Pages

  1. Pend Oreille County Community Development Department - Vacation Rental Permit Application

  2. Pend Oreille County Official Website

  3. Newport Municipal Code Chapter 17.05 - Applications

Important Notes for Investors

  • Processing Time - Applications require public notice period (minimum 15 days) plus hearing schedule, plan for 30-60 days total processing time
  • Advertising Fees - Applicant responsible for public notice advertising fees (varies by newspaper)
  • Critical Areas - Properties near shorelines, streams, wetlands, or floodplains may require additional documentation
  • Water/Sewer - Properties must have adequate water supply (community system or drilled well with water rights) and sewage disposal
  • Tax Obligations - Responsible for all state, county, and local taxes with annual compliance documentation required

This guide provides the essential framework for operating a compliant short-term rental in Newport, WA. All investors should consult directly with Pend Oreille County officials to address specific property circumstances and current regulatory updates.

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Newport

Market Saturation Score

036912
High Saturation
10/ 12
months with declining YoY revenue
8–10 declining months: high saturation - supply likely outpacing demand.
View Full Newport Market Analysis

Photos of Newport

Overview of Newport

Newport is a small city in Pend Oreille County, in the far northeastern corner of Washington State, hugging the Idaho border across the Pend Oreille River. With a population of roughly 2,100 residents, it has the feel of a quiet Pacific Northwest border town, framed by forested hills and the broad river corridor. Historically tied to the timber and rail industries, Newport today functions largely as a small commercial hub and a launching point for outdoor recreation in the surrounding Selkirk Mountains and the Colville National Forest. The nearest major city is Spokane, Washington, which lies about 60 miles to the south along US-2, a scenic drive that follows the river corridor for much of the way.

The river itself is one of the area's defining features. The Pend Oreille River flows north through Newport toward Canada, and its calm stretches and quiet backwaters draw anglers looking for trout, kokanee, and smallmouth bass, as well as paddlers and birdwatchers. Riverside parks and public access points within town make it easy for visitors to walk down to the water without leaving the city limits, and the river valley scenery is a major part of the area's appeal in every season.

Just across the river bridge sits Oldtown, Idaho, essentially a twin community to Newport, and the state line itself becomes part of the local flavor. A short drive east on State Highway 2 leads into the Idaho Panhandle, where forested lakes and the Coeur d'Alene and Sandpoint regions open up. Roughly an hour east of Newport lies Sandpoint, Idaho, a well-known mountain-lake resort town on Lake Pend Oreille, with a walkable downtown, Schweitzer Mountain Resort nearby, and year-round outdoor activities that complement Newport's quieter pace.

To the south, the surrounding forests and mountains of the Colville National Forest offer hiking, camping, hunting, and snowmobiling, with trailheads and backcountry routes scattered throughout the region. In winter, the 49 Degrees North Mountain Resort near Chewelah, about an hour south of Newport, provides downhill skiing and tubing, giving short-term rental guests a true alpine experience within an easy day trip. The area's combination of low-key small-town character and immediate access to rivers, mountains, and cross-border exploration makes Newport a quietly compelling base for travelers who prefer uncrowded, nature-oriented stays over busier resort destinations.

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