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Pullman, WA

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STR Regulations for Pullman, Washington

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

Yes. Short-term rentals (STRs) are explicitly allowed in Pullman under Chapter 17.109 of the Pullman City Code (PCC). The City Council approved updated regulations in May 2025, and they took effect June 1, 2025. The rules cover licensing, safety standards, occupancy limits, inspections, and enforcement. As of October 2025, the City Council has directed staff to re-examine several components of the STR code (e.g., definition, prohibitions for 3+ unit buildings, parking/vehicle rules, enforcement clarity, safety compliance verification options, fee/variance policy), with changes possible by March. Operators should plan for compliance now but remain attentive to updates as the review proceeds.

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Pullman hosts earn a median $23,945/year with $192 ADR and 48% occupancy.

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See the full Pullman market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Pullman

  • Confirm eligibility. STRs are allowed up to duplex scale in all zones; 3+ unit buildings are under review and may be restricted.
  • Prepare required application materials (see Required Documents).
  • Obtain a Washington State business license with NAICS code 721199 – All Other Traveler Accommodation.
  • Secure insurance meeting RCW 64.37.050 (see State Regulations).
  • Pay the City application fee of $200 and submit via the Civic Access Portal.
  • Submit safety documentation (floor plan, evacuation plan, plot plan).
  • Coordinate inspection scheduling and any administrative variance needs.
  • Launch only after City approval; maintain compliance and renew annually (renewals are free).

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

City-level requirements (PCC 17.109):

  • Business License. Apply first with Washington Department of Revenue; use NAICS 721199.
  • Short-Term Rental Application (Civic Access Portal). Pay $200 before review begins.
  • Insurance. Liability coverage per RCW 64.37.050 (see State Regulations).
  • Floor Plan. Show:
    • all beds
    • smoke detectors
    • carbon monoxide detector
    • fire extinguisher(s)
    • emergency egress light
  • Evacuation Plan. Show layout with all exits:
    • all doors
    • all egress windows
  • Plot Plan. Show:
    • property orientation
    • off-street parking (driveway, garage, etc.)
    • pool, if applicable; fencing around pool, if applicable
  • Application plans must be sized 8.5 x 11 inches (minimum) to 24 x 36 inches (maximum).
  • Occupancy Limits. Calculation = number of sleeping rooms plus two additional occupants. Additional occupants require an administrative variance.
  • Signs. Must conform to PCC 17.50.050(1) (general compliance; specific standards should be verified during review).
  • Inspections. An inspection by a city building official is required prior to approval.

Typical approval conditions:

  • Occupancy based on sleeping rooms (+2).
  • Signs must meet PCC 17.50.050(1).
  • Safety equipment and plans as described above.

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

City of Pullman (PCC 17.109):

  • Zoning coverage. STRs allowed up to duplex size in all residential zones; buildings with three or more units are flagged for review.
  • Permits. Annual STR license required; $200 application fee; renewals free.
  • Safety mandates. Emergency evacuation plan; lighted emergency egress light with battery backup; smoke and carbon monoxide detectors; fire extinguisher(s).
  • Occupancy cap. 10 persons per dwelling (from news coverage); base calculation is sleeping rooms plus two; administrative variance required for additional occupants.
  • Inspections. Mandatory inspection by city building official before approval; alternatives (photos/affidavits) under consideration during review.
  • Advertising. Operators must have a valid City license to legally advertise online.
  • Enforcement. Violations may carry $250/day fines up to $5,000; currently complaint-driven enforcement is under review for clarity.

Whitman County:

  • No county-specific STR regulations identified in the provided sources.

State of Washington:

  • Short-term rental operator business license. Required through the Washington Department of Revenue; use NAICS 721199.
  • Insurance requirements. RCW 64.37.050 sets minimum liability coverage for STR operators (consult statute for specific limits).
  • Transient rental tax (GETS). State-level tax applies to short-term rentals; consult the Washington Department of Revenue for definitions, obligations, and registration details.

Contact Information

  • City of Pullman Planning Division (Short-Term Rental application support)
    • Email: pwcd-admin@pullman-wa.gov
    • Address: 190 SE Crestview St., Bldg A, Pullman, WA 99163
    • Phone: Not specified in provided documents; inquiries should begin via the email above.
  • Washington Department of Revenue (State business license, GETS)
    • Website: dor.wa.gov
    • Phone: Not specified in provided documents; use the DOR website for state business licensing and tax obligations.
  • Pullman City Code reference for STRs
    • PCC Chapter 17.109 (see source PDF).

Note: While the Civic Access Portal is referenced for application submission, the direct URL is not provided in the sources.

Source Pages

Action guidance:

  • Apply now with existing rules (application, insurance, safety plans, inspection).
  • Monitor the City’s review outcomes by March; adjust parking, safety verification options, and enforcement practices as needed.

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Pullman

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 Pullman Market Analysis

Photos of Pullman

Overview of Pullman

Pullman, Washington sits in the southeastern corner of the state in Whitman County, with a population of roughly 33,000. The town is shaped by Washington State University, which lends it the energy of a college town while the surrounding landscape belongs to the Palouse, a region famous for its rolling wheat-covered hills. Pullman lies about 75 miles south of Spokane and just 8 miles west of Moscow, Idaho, making it a small but lively hub right along the Washington-Idaho border.

The university is the heart of Pullman and a major draw for visitors throughout the year. On autumn weekends, the WSU Cougars bring tens of thousands of fans to Martin Stadium for Pac-12 football, while the rest of the campus hosts academic conferences, prospective-student tours, and graduation ceremonies. Beyond athletics, the university maintains a few cultural gems, including the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art, which holds a permanent collection of several thousand works, and the Museum of Anthropology, which highlights the cultures and history of the Pacific Northwest and the wider world.

Just north of town, Kamiak Butte County Park rises above the surrounding Palouse terrain, offering several miles of hiking trails through pine forest and spring wildflower meadows. About a 20-minute drive from Pullman, the butte rewards visitors with sweeping views of the wheat fields, the town below, and on clear days the distant ridges of the region. It is a popular quick escape for locals and a rewarding stop for travelers wanting to experience the unique topography of the area.

The wider Palouse is a destination in its own right, with scenic backroads that wind through some of the most photographed farmland in the country. Steptoe Butte State Park, roughly 35 miles north of Pullman, offers one of the classic overlooks of the region, where the rolling patchwork of fields stretches to the horizon. Just across the border, the small city of Moscow, Idaho, adds a second college-town vibe with its own downtown, restaurants, and the University of Idaho campus, giving visitors an easy day trip only minutes from Pullman.

Pullman makes a compelling base for a short-term rental thanks to the steady rhythm of WSU-related travel, from football weekends and move-in days to graduations and conferences, layered on top of a growing stream of road-trippers and photographers drawn to the Palouse. Its compact, walkable core feels welcoming and easy to navigate, while the surrounding hills, the nearby Idaho state line, and Spokane less than two hours north give guests a variety of day trips to fill out their stay.

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