Port Angeles, Washington Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

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

YES, short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in Port Angeles, WA. The City of Port Angeles permits short-term rental operations within city limits under specific regulations that took effect July 1, 2024. The city has established a comprehensive licensing framework for three categories of short-term lodging: Bed and Breakfasts (BNB), Type I Short-Term Rentals, and Type II Short-Term Rentals.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Port Angeles?

Port Angeles hosts earn a median $45,849/year with $265 ADR and 66% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $67,354+ per year.

See the full Port Angeles market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Port Angeles

Step-by-Step Process

Property Registration: Contact the Department of Community & Economic Development at (360) 417-4STL (4785) or STL@cityofpa.us to register your property in the licensing portal system.
Determine Your License Type:
- Type I STR: Owner/lessee's principal residence where you're personally present during rentals
- Type II STR: Not your principal residence (citywide cap of 200 licenses)
- Bed & Breakfast: Onsite resident operator providing breakfast service
Complete Application: Submit application through the online licensing portal within 90 calendar days of initiation.
Pay License Fee: Fees vary by license type (see fee schedule below).
Schedule and Pass Fire-Life Safety Inspection: Required for STRs, scheduled after application completion and fee payment.
Provide Insurance Proof: Minimum $1 million general liability insurance required.
Sign Good Neighbor Policy: Must be posted visibly inside the unit upon approval.

Application Timeline Requirements

90 calendar days to complete the entire application process
Applications not completed within 90 days will be discontinued
If fees have been processed, a prorated refund will be issued
Licenses awarded on first-completed basis until Type II cap (200) is reached

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Business License Application Requirements

All Applicants Must Provide:

Complete application for City short-term rental business license
Site plan to scale showing entire dwelling unit, other structures, parking, entrance/exit locations
Floor plan to scale including structure dimensions, square footage, smoke/CO detector locations, fire extinguisher locations, ingress/egress areas with dimensions, all labeled rooms, and clearly marked sleeping accommodations
Proof of General Liability Insurance ($1,000,000 minimum) or insurance estimate for new STRs
State of Washington Master Business License
Proof of Ownership (Articles of Incorporation, recorded deed, property tax record)
Signed Good Neighbor Policy (must be posted inside unit upon approval)

Renewal Applications Must Also Include:

Summary of booking history (nights booked, average price charged)
Evidence of lodging taxes paid to Washington State
Documentation of full compliance with license requirements and inspections
Attestation and printouts of advertisements from preceding licensing period

Permits and Inspections

Fire Life-Safety Inspection: Required for all STRs, conducted by City of Port Angeles
State and County Health Inspections: Required for Bed & Breakfasts from Washington State Department of Health and Clallam County Department of Health

Platform Licensing

Short-term rentals must use platforms licensed by the City of Port Angeles. Platforms like Airbnb and VRBO must also obtain city operating licenses.

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

Type I Short-Term Rentals

Definition: Dwelling that is owner's or designated lessee's principal residence
Requirements:
- Rental rooms located within same structure as primary residence
- Owner or designated lessee personally present during rental period
Cap: No citywide restrictions on number
License Fee: $855.90 (3-year license)

Type II Short-Term Rentals

Definition: Dwelling unit that is not owner's or designated lessee's principal residence
Cap: 200 licenses citywide
Restrictions:
- One unit per license
- One license per owner
- One license per marital community
- One license per parcel
License Fee: $1,426.50 (3-year license)

Bed and Breakfast

Definition: Lodging where rooms are provided by onsite resident operator/owner for fee by prearrangement, with breakfast/light snacks served
License Fee: $576.60 (3-year license)
Additional Requirements: Must post license, good neighbor policy, and emergency contact information in each guest room

Zoning and Location Restrictions

Type I STRs: No location-based restrictions
Type II STRs: No location-based restrictions (subject to cap)
Historical Context: Previous 2017 ordinance allowed STRs in Residential Medium Density (RMD), Residential High Density (RHD), and Commercial Zones (except Commercial Office requiring Conditional Use Permit)

Enforcement and Penalties

Violations:

1st Violation: $500.00
2nd Violation: $1,000.00
3rd+ Violations: $3,000.00

Daily Fines (after notice of violation and order to cease):

First 14 days: $500.00 per day
After 14 days: $1,000.00 per day

License Revocation: Upon third violation within 36 months, license revoked and cannot be renewed; owner prohibited from applying for any city STR license for two years.

Special Provisions

Previously Compliant Owners: August 2024 ordinance allows owners who were compliant under the 2017 code and 2023 moratorium to apply for multiple Type II licenses if they:

Operated prior to July 1, 2024
Remained under same ownership as of July 1, 2024
Were fully compliant with Ordinance 3577 and 2023 moratorium

Limited application window: August 26 - September 6, 2024.

State-Level Regulations (Washington)

Insurance Requirements

RCW 64.37.050: Proof of short-term rental liability insurance required
Platform-provided insurance only covers bookings through that specific platform
General liability insurance required if advertising on multiple platforms or accepting direct bookings

Lodging Taxes

Must comply with Washington State lodging tax requirements
Evidence of payment required for license renewal
Printouts from licensed platforms (Airbnb, VRBO) acceptable as proof

Contact Information

Primary Contacts

Short-Term Lodging Administrator

Phone: (360) 417-4STL (4785)
Email: STL@cityofpa.us
Department: Community & Economic Development

Physical Address 321 East 5th Street Port Angeles, WA 98362

General City Information

Phone: (360) 457-0411
Email: cityclerk@cityofpa.us
Website: www.cityofpa.us

Key Resources

Online Licensing Portal: www.cityofpa.us/ShortTermLodging
Fire Life-Safety Inspection Scheduling: Available through city website after application completion
Municipal Code: library.municode.com/wa/port_angeles/codes/code_of_ordinances

Source Links

City of Port Angeles Short-Term Lodging Main Page: cityofpa.us/1290/Short-Term-Lodging
Short-Term Lodging FAQ: cityofpa.us/DocumentCenter/View/13955/Short-Term-Lodging-Frequently-Asked-Questions-FAQ
Airbnb Help Article: www.airbnb.ca/help/article/3750
Peninsula Daily News - STR Class Change: www.peninsuladailynews.com/news/str-class-change-forces-building-updates/
City Council Ordinance Adjustment: wa-portangeles.civicplus.com/CivicAlerts.asp?AID=1662&ARC=3016
Peninsula Daily News - Council Clarification: www.peninsuladailynews.com/news/council-clarifies-port-angeles-short-term-rental-policy/
Port Angeles Municipal Code Chapter 17.23: library.municode.com/wa/port_angeles/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT17ZO_CH17.23SHRMRE
Port Angeles Municipal Code Chapter 17.24: library.municode.com/wa/port_angeles/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT17ZO_CH17.24BEBR

This guide is current as of the provided content. Investors should verify current regulations with the City of Port Angeles before proceeding with any STR operations.

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Ask the AI Advisor about Port Angeles

Port Angeles sits on the northern edge of Washington's Olympic Peninsula, in Clallam County, where the snow-capped Olympic Mountains meet the Strait of Juan de Fuca. With a population of roughly 19,000, it has the feel of a working coastal town wrapped in some of the most dramatic natural scenery in the Pacific Northwest. Known primarily as the northern gateway to Olympic National Park and a departure point for ferries to Victoria, British Columbia, it draws a steady stream of hikers, whale watchers, cyclists, and road-trippers year-round. The nearest major American city is Seattle, located approximately 80 miles to the southeast across the Puget Sound, a journey that typically involves a ferry crossing and totals around three to four hours by car.

Just south of town, Hurricane Ridge is one of the most accessible alpine areas in the country, rising to more than 5,000 feet within Olympic National Park. About a 30-minute drive from the city center, it offers sweeping views of the Olympic Mountains and, on clear days, the Pacific Ocean and Vancouver Island beyond. Winter brings skiing and snowshoeing, while summer opens up a network of wildflower-strewn trails suitable for every skill level, making it a year-round draw for visitors who would rather not venture deeper into the park's backcountry.

A short drive to the west, Lake Crescent anchors the park's famed northern lakes region and is roughly 45 minutes from Port Angeles. Famously deep and brilliantly clear, the glacier-carved lake is flanked by old-growth forest and provides opportunities for kayaking, swimming, hiking to Marymere Falls, or simply enjoying the historic Lake Crescent Lodge. Its proximity to the Sol Duc Valley and the Hoh Rain Forest makes it a natural stop for travelers building longer itineraries through the peninsula.

Downtown Port Angeles itself has quietly grown into a worthwhile base in its own right. The broad, redeveloped waterfront includes a city pier, a segment of the Olympic Discovery Trail that traces the shoreline for miles, and an expanding collection of restaurants, galleries, and breweries clustered around Laurel Street. The nearby Feiro Marine Life Center on the City Pier offers a family-friendly introduction to the strait's marine ecosystems, while the weekly farmers market and small-batch distilleries reflect the town's evolving culinary identity. For those heading north, the M.V. Coho ferry connects Port Angeles to Victoria in roughly 90 minutes, adding an international dimension to the visitor mix.

Port Angeles works well as a short-term-rental market precisely because it functions as both a destination and a hub. Guests arrive for Olympic National Park, Hurricane Ridge, and Lake Crescent, but they also linger for the waterfront, the ferries, and the small-town atmosphere. The combination of a constrained hotel supply, a dramatic natural setting, and year-round recreational appeal gives the city a steady flow of travelers looking for the kind of space, kitchen access, and local character that a well-placed rental can provide.