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Union, WA

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STR Regulations for Union, Washington

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

Yes. Short-term rentals (STRs) are allowed in Union, Washington (Mason County). Union is an unincorporated community; therefore, STRs are governed by Mason County regulations and Washington State law, not a city municipal code. At a minimum, operators must obtain a Mason County short-term rental permit and pass a health and safety inspection before listing on platforms like Airbnb or VRBO. Hosts must also collect and remit local lodging taxes and comply with state-level requirements (business registration and liability insurance). These obligations apply across unincorporated Mason County, including Hoodsport, Union, Lake Cushman, and other nearby areas.

Source: www.gosummer.com/vacation-rental-management/union-washington
Source: househackseattle.com/blog/mason-county-airbnb-and-short-term-rental-regulations

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Union?

Union hosts earn a median $30,879/year with $260 ADR and 44% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $41,412+ per year.

See the full Union market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental in Union, WA (Step-by-Step)

  1. Confirm zoning and property suitability
    • Verify that the property is in a zone that permits short-term rentals. Mason County allows STRs in many residential and mixed-use areas, but site-specific zoning can limit availability. Contact Mason County Planning or consult the Mason County Code for your parcel.
  2. Secure the STR permit
    • Apply for a Mason County STR permit. The process typically includes an application and a health and safety inspection. Schedule the inspection promptly; approval is required before hosting guests.
  3. Obtain liability insurance
    • Washington State requires primary liability coverage. While the precise minimum is not specified in the provided sources, ensure you have adequate coverage (commonly $1,000,000 or higher). Verify requirements at the time of application.
  4. Register your business and collect lodging taxes
    • Register with the Washington Department of Revenue (DOR) for tax remittance. Collect the Mason County lodging tax (2% of the rental rate) from guests and remit to the DOR according to filing cadence.
  5. Implement septic and environmental safeguards
    • Size occupancy to your septic system capacity. Avoid hosting large groups if the system is not designed for that load. Enforce “no parties/no events” and educate guests on water quality and onsite sewage system limits.
  6. Prepare guest-facing compliance materials
    • Post good neighbor guidelines, emergency contacts, evacuation routes, license/permit number, and any county-required postings for guests.
  7. List and operate
    • List your property on STR platforms only after permit approval and insurance are in place. Maintain clear house rules to mitigate impacts on neighbors and the environment.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

  • Mason County STR Permit
    • Application and issuance required before hosting; includes a health and safety inspection component.
  • Health and Safety Inspection
    • Confirms compliance with relevant health and safety standards. Address any deficiencies before hosting.
  • Washington State Business Registration
    • Register with the Washington Department of Revenue. Use your Unified Business Identifier (UBI) to remit state and local lodging taxes.
  • Liability Insurance
    • Primary liability insurance is required under Washington law. Confirm current minimum coverage with county/state authorities.
  • Lodging Tax Collection and Remittance
    • Mason County lodging tax is 2% of the rental rate. Remit per DOR guidance (monthly or quarterly depending on volume).
  • Guest Communications and Onsite Postings
    • Maintain and display “good neighbor” guidelines, emergency contacts, evacuation routes, and permit/license information inside the unit.
  • Zoning Compliance
    • Ensure STR use is permitted at your property’s location. If in doubt, consult Planning and obtain written confirmation.

Source: www.gosummer.com/vacation-rental-management/union-washington
Source: househackseattle.com/blog/mason-county-airbnb-and-short-term-rental-regulations
Source: www.kitsapsun.com/story/news/2019/04/29/little-oversight-mason-county-vacation-rental-industry-airbnb-vrbo/3621906002/

Specific Regulations: Mason County (Union) and Washington State

Mason County (applies to Union, unincorporated)

  • Permit-first regime: STRs must obtain a county permit and pass inspection before operating.
  • Health and safety: Properties are inspected to ensure basic health and safety standards are met.
  • Tax obligations: Hosts must collect and remit the 2% Mason County lodging tax via the Washington Department of Revenue.
  • Complaint-based enforcement: The county historically operated a complaint-driven oversight model, with limited proactive inspection resources. Environmental health concerns—especially septic capacity and shoreline impacts—require owner vigilance and guest education.
  • Zoning: STRs are generally allowed in residential and mixed-use zones but may be restricted in certain areas; always confirm with Planning.

Washington State (applies to all STRs)

  • Business registration: Short-term rental operators must register with the Department of Revenue and obtain a business license/UBI.
  • Liability insurance: Primary liability insurance is required; confirm current minimums with the DOR and county at the time of application.
  • Lodging tax collection: Hosts must collect and remit state and local lodging taxes to the DOR.
  • Consumer protection context: The Legislature has acted to increase transparency, oversight, and tax compliance across Washington’s STR market.

City-specific note: Union has no incorporated city government; therefore, municipal (city) STR rules do not apply. County and state rules govern.

Source: househackseattle.com/blog/mason-county-airbnb-and-short-term-rental-regulations
Source: www.kitsapsun.com/story/news/2019/04/29/little-oversight-mason-county-vacation-rental-industry-airbnb-vrbo/3621906002/
Source: www.gosummer.com/vacation-rental-management/union-washington

Local Authority Contacts

  • Mason County Community Services – Environmental Health
    • Mailing Address: 419 N 4th St, Shelton, WA 98584
    • Phone: (360) 427-9670
    • Email: Use official contact form on Mason County’s website (Environmental Health or Community Services portal)
    • Website: www.co.mason.wa.us/ (see Departments: Community Services, Environmental Health)
  • Washington State Department of Revenue – Business Tax Center
    • Phone: (360) 705-6705 (general); Business registration and lodging tax hotline: (360) 705-6808
    • Website: dor.wa.gov/
    • Portal: secure.dor.wa.gov/ (file and remit lodging taxes online)

Source: www.gosummer.com/vacation-rental-management/union-washington
Source: househackseattle.com/blog/mason-county-airbnb-and-short-term-rental-regulations

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Union

Market Saturation Score

036912
Moderate Saturation
7/ 12
months with declining YoY revenue
5–7 declining months: moderate saturation risk - market may be nearing capacity.
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Photos of Union

Overview of Union

Union is a small unincorporated community on the southeastern shore of Hood Canal in Mason County, Washington. Tucked into the eastern edge of the Olympic Peninsula, it has a population of only a few hundred residents and carries the laid-back character of a working waterfront and recreational retreat. The community is best known for its scenic tidal flats, shellfish harvesting traditions, and its position as a convenient base for visitors exploring both Hood Canal and the interior of Olympic National Park. It lies roughly 80 miles west-southwest of Seattle, with a drive that typically takes around two to two-and-a-half hours via the Kitsap Peninsula and the Hood Canal Bridge.

Just minutes from the heart of Union, Potlatch State Park stretches along the Hood Canal shoreline and offers picnic areas, a playground, a short forested trail, and excellent opportunities for crabbing, clamming, and beachcombing at low tide. Its location directly on the canal makes it a favorite for families looking to wade into the cold saltwater or watch the sun set over the Olympic Mountains to the west. The park's proximity to Union means short-term rental guests can easily spend a casual morning or evening here without venturing far from their lodging.

A short drive northwest of Union leads to the Staircase Ranger Station, one of the southern entrances to Olympic National Park. This area of the park is known for old-growth Douglas fir and western hemlock forests, the mossy stretch of the North Fork Skokomish River, and the Staircase Rapids Loop Trail, a relatively accessible hike that introduces visitors to the temperate rainforest ecosystems the park is famous for. The drive from Union to the Staircase area generally takes under an hour, making it feasible for a day trip into a much wilder landscape.

Lake Cushman, a glacier-carved reservoir on the Olympic Peninsula's eastern flank, sits just a few miles north of Union. The lake is ringed by Olympic National Forest land and offers swimming, kayaking, fishing, and shoreline camping, with the Olympic Mountains rising dramatically above the water. Closer to town, the neighboring community of Hoodsport draws visitors for its small galleries, seafood markets, and annual shrimpfest, providing a gentle, low-key complement to the bigger outdoor adventures nearby.

Union's appeal as a short-term rental base lies in its rare combination of solitude and access. Guests can spend their days shelling on quiet tidelands, hiking into old-growth forests, paddling a mountain lake, and return to a peaceful waterfront community in the evening, all without the crowds of more heavily trafficked Pacific Northwest gateways. Its proximity to Seattle, the Olympic National Park interior, and the Hood Canal's seafood-rich shoreline makes it a versatile anchor for travelers who want nature, water, and small-town character in equal measure.

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