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

Yes. Short-term rentals (STRs)—defined as lodging for 30 calendar days or fewer—are explicitly permitted in Westport, Washington, under Westport Municipal Code Chapter 17.22 (Vacation Rental Dwellings). The city allows STRs in all zoning districts that permit single-family residences. The code also sets occupancy, parking, safety, insurance, signage, operations, and enforcement standards that must be met to obtain and maintain a permit.

Note on jurisdiction: Westport is within Grays Harbor County. County STR rules apply to unincorporated areas of the county. Properties located inside Westport’s city limits are generally subject to city rules (WMC 17.22). Always verify your property’s exact jurisdiction (city vs. unincorporated county) before applying.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Westport

Step 1. Confirm eligibility and jurisdiction

• Verify your zoning: STRs are allowed in districts that permit single-family residences.
• Confirm whether the parcel is inside the City of Westport or in unincorporated Grays Harbor County.
• Check parcel/zoning with Grays Harbor County MapGeo.

Step 2. Choose and prepare the property

• Only one STR per parcel is permitted, except in mixed-use tourist commercial zoning districts and for condominium dwellings (which may be eligible despite the general limitation).
• Meet occupancy, parking, waste, safety, signage, and insurance standards (see Required Documents and Specific Regulations sections).

Step 3. City of Westport permit (if inside city limits)

• Submit a Vacation Rental Dwelling Application to the City of Westport with:
  • Application fee ($750 as of the latest available schedule).
  • Names and contact information of all property owners.
  • Local property representative designation (available 24/7).
  • Certificate of insurance documenting short-term/vacation rental coverage.
  • Certificate of inspection (transient accommodations per International Building Code).
• Pass required inspections and obtain appropriate certificate of occupancy.
• After city approval, obtain a city business license. A city business license will not be issued before the STR approval.

Step 4. Grays Harbor County permit (if property is in unincorporated county)

• Complete the county’s three-step process:
  • Step 1: Site Plan Review Application.
  • Step 2: Related Permits and Approvals (as identified).
  • Step 3: Short-Term Rental Permit Application.
• Renew annually at least 30 days prior to expiration.

Step 5. State-level compliance

• Obtain a Washington State business license.
• Register, collect, and remit applicable state and local taxes (lodging/sales/occupancy taxes) with the Washington State Department of Revenue.
• Maintain at least $1 million in liability insurance coverage (or coverage through the platform) under Washington State law.

Step 6. Launch and maintain compliance

• Post required internal signage (permit number, occupancy, noise/use restrictions, parking, contacts, tsunami evacuation routes, etc.).
• Include permit number and “good neighbor policy” in all advertisements.
• Conduct weekly solid waste and biweekly recyclable collection.
• Ensure 24/7 local response capability (within 30 minutes to complaints).
• Monitor and renew annually; keep certificates current.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

City of Westport (WMC 17.22)

• Vacation Rental Dwelling Application
  • Names, mailing addresses, emails, and phone numbers of all owners.
  • Local property representative designation and contact information.
• Certificate of Insurance
  • Confirms coverage as a short-term/vacation rental dwelling; must be kept current on file.
• Certificate of Inspection
  • Compliance with transient accommodation standards per International Building Code as adopted by the city.
  • Appropriate certificate of occupancy.
  • Annual safety inspection required (owner or representative must schedule).
• Business License
  • City business license issued only after STR approval; must comply with all local and state regulations.
• Neighbor Notification
  • Provide contact information to all neighboring property owners within a 250-foot radius and maintain proof of notice on file with the city.
• Good Neighbor Policy
  • Include in rental contracts, guest book, posted online, or posted conspicuously in the unit.
• Advertisement Compliance
  • Include the STR permit number and “good neighbor policy” in all listings.

Grays Harbor County (for unincorporated areas)

• Short-Term Rental Permit Application (Step 3 of process)
• Submittal Checklist and supporting documents (floor plans, management plan, etc.)
• Annual renewal application (at least 30 days before permit expiration)
• Compliance with county zoning (G-1, G-5, R-2, R-3, RR, LQ, C-2)

State of Washington

• Washington State business license
• Registration and tax remittance with Department of Revenue (sales/occupancy/lodging taxes)
• Liability insurance coverage ($1 million minimum, or platform coverage)

Operational documentation and postings (Westport)

• Internal signage containing:
  • Permit number and street address
  • Maximum occupancy
  • Noise and use restrictions
  • Parking location
  • Owner/representative contact information
  • Tsunami evacuation routes and property evacuation map
  • Trash/recycling guidelines (no storage in public view except proper lidded containers on collection day)
  • Good neighbor policy statement
  • Prohibitions (fireworks, trespassing, disturbances)
• Parking: At least one additional off-street parking space beyond what the dwelling requires, subject to frontage limits; condominium dwellings are exempt from certain parking limitations.
• Waste: Weekly solid waste collection required; biweekly recyclable collection minimum.

Fees (City of Westport, latest published schedule)

• New application: $750.00
• Resubmission within 30 days (for denied application): $75.00
• Renewal application: $250.00
• Reinspection fee: $150.00 (after first inspection and within 14 calendar days)

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

City of Westport (WMC 17.22)

• Permitted zones: All districts allowing single-family residences as a permitted use.
• One STR per parcel: Only one vacation rental may operate on a single parcel, except in mixed-use tourist commercial zoning districts and for condominium dwellings (which are exempt from the one-per-parcel limitation).
• Occupancy: Maximum based on International Building Code; owner must ensure compliance.
• Parking:
  • Minimum one additional off-street space beyond dwelling requirements.
  • Parking along front property line limited to no more than 40% of front-yard frontage.
  • Number of vehicles may not exceed available on-site parking spaces.
  • Condominium dwellings exempt from some parking limits.
• Signage:
  • No outdoor advertising signs except in mixed-use tourist commercial districts (must comply with sign code).
  • Required internal informational signage as listed above.
• Waste management:
  • Weekly solid waste and at least biweekly recyclable collection.
  • Trash/recyclables must not be visible from public view except on collection day in proper closed, lidded containers.
• Local property representative:
  • Must be available 24/7 and able to respond within 30 minutes to complaints; owner may serve as representative.
  • Keep current contact information on file with the city; update neighbor notices within 30 days of any change and submit proof of notice.
• Use restrictions:
  • Rentals may not be used for events such as weddings, banquets, receptions, parties, concerts, fundraisers, or similar group activities.
• Insurance and inspections:
  • Maintain current certificate of insurance and certificate of inspection on file with the city.
  • Annual safety inspection required; obtain appropriate certificate of occupancy.
• Advertisement standards:
  • Include permit number and “good neighbor policy” in all advertisements.
• Nontransferability:
  • Approval is tied to the owner; new owners must reapply before operating an STR.
• Continued compliance and enforcement:
  • Must remain in compliance with the chapter or risk fines, suspension, or revocation.
• Annual renewal:
  • Required; city must find substantial compliance for the past year, verify tax remittance, and review complaint/resolution documentation.

Grays Harbor County (for unincorporated areas)

• Permitted zoning districts for STRs:
  • 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)
• Process:
  • Step 1: Site Plan Review Application
  • Step 2: Complete related permits/approvals identified in Step 1
  • Step 3: Short-Term Rental Permit Application
• Renewals:
  • Annual renewal required at least 30 days before expiration
• Additional notes:
  • If an STR was approved via Conditional Use Permit or as part of a Planned Unit Development prior to March 22, 2022, a separate county STR permit may not be required (confirm current applicability with the Planning Division).
  • If your property lies within an incorporated city, you must follow that city’s rules; county rules apply to unincorporated areas.

Washington State

• Definition and tax framework:
  • Short-term rental: lodging for fewer than 30 consecutive days.
• Business licensing:
  • WA State business license required for STR operators.
• Taxes:
  • Collect and remit state and local lodging/sales/occupancy taxes; register with the Washington State Department of Revenue.
• Insurance:
  • Primary liability insurance of at least $1 million required (or platform coverage).
• References:
  • RCW 64.37 (Washington State STR law)
  • Washington State Department of Revenue Lodging Guide (Personal Home Rentals)

Contact Information for Local Authority

City of Westport (Planning/Code Enforcement)

• Primary reference: Westport Municipal Code Chapter 17.22 (Vacation Rental Dwellings)
• Website: www.codepublishing.com/WA/Westport/html/Westport17/Westport1722.html
• Notes: Contact City Hall for current Planning Department phone/email; application and permit processes are administered per WMC 17.22.

Grays Harbor County Planning Division

• Phone: 360-227-5030
• Office hours: Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–12:00 PM; 1:00 PM–4:30 PM
• STR page: www.graysharbor.us/departments/public_services/planning_division/planning_information/short_term_rental.php
• Permit portal: co-graysharbor-wa.smartgovcommunity.com/Public/Home
• Zoning/Parcel lookup: graysharborwa.mapgeo.io/datasets/properties

Washington State Department of Revenue

• Lodging tax and business licensing information: dor.wa.gov/education/industry-guides/lodging-guide/personal-home-rentals

Source Links

• City of Westport Municipal Code Chapter 17.22 (Vacation Rental Dwellings): www.codepublishing.com/WA/Westport/html/Westport17/Westport1722.html
• Grays Harbor County Short-Term Rental Information (Planning Division): www.graysharbor.us/departments/public_services/planning_division/planning_information/short_term_rental.php
• Grays Harbor County STR Permit Portal: co-graysharbor-wa.smartgovcommunity.com/Public/Home
• Grays Harbor County Zoning/Parcel Lookup (MapGeo): graysharborwa.mapgeo.io/datasets/properties
• Grays Harbor County Code of Ordinances (Municode – STR references): library.municode.com/wa/grays_harbor_county/codes/code_of_ordinances
• Washington State STR Law (RCW 64.37): app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=64.37
• WA Department of Revenue Lodging Guide (Personal Home Rentals): dor.wa.gov/education/industry-guides/lodging-guide/personal-home-rentals

Practical Notes for STR Investors

• Confirm jurisdiction first: City of Westport vs. unincorporated county determines which permit process applies.
• Budget for compliance costs: application, renewal, reinspection, insurance, safety inspections, and ongoing waste services.
• Designate and train a reliable local representative to meet the 24/7, 30-minute response requirement.
• Maintain meticulous documentation: neighbor notices, certificates, inspection records, and complaint resolution logs—these are required at renewal and enforced proactively.
• Plan for annual renewal and ongoing inspections; noncompliance risks fines, permit suspension, or revocation.

This guide reflects the framework in Westport (WMC 17.22) and Grays Harbor County’s published STR requirements. Always verify current requirements with the City and County before applying, as municipal and county codes can be updated.