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

Yes, short-term rentals (STRs) are explicitly allowed in White Salmon, Washington, but they are strictly regulated. All STRs within city limits require a valid City-issued permit. The city defines an STR as renting any residential or commercial property, or part of a property, for 30 days or less. This includes homes, garage apartments, backyard cottages, and units listed on platforms like Airbnb, VRBO, and HomeAway. The city's regulations distinguish between residential and commercial zones, impose caps on the number of STRs in residential areas, and mandate owner occupancy for certain rental types.

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in White Salmon

1. Secure Your Business License: All landlords (both short-term and long-term) must obtain a White Salmon business license through the Washington Department of Revenue (DOR) Business Licensing Service at dor.wa.gov. The initial city license fee is $75.00 (renewals are $50.00).
2. Obtain a Short-Term Rental Permit: This is mandatory for all STRs. The process involves applying through the city's online permit center or via printable forms (links provided below). Fees apply (see detailed fee schedule).
3. Compliance is Key: Ensure your property meets all zoning requirements (residential vs. commercial), safety standards (Fire & Life Safety Checklist), and community guidelines (Good Neighbor Guidelines).
4. Register with Platforms: Once permitted, register your listing with platforms like Airbnb and VRBO, including your city permit number where required.
5. Set Up Tax Collection: You are responsible for collecting and remitting applicable taxes, including a 7.5% sales tax on all rentals.

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

Essential City Documents & Permits:

• Short-Term Rental Permit Application: New or Legacy/renewal forms (fillable and printable versions available).
  • 2025 RENEW STR Permit Application (Printable)
  • 2025 RENEW LEGACY STR Permit Application (Printable)
  • 2025 RENEW LEGACY STR Permit Application (Fillable)
• Fire and Life Safety Applicant Checklist: MANDATORY - Must be submitted with the permit application.
  • 2025 Fire and Life Safety Checklist (PDF)
• Good Neighbor Guidelines: MANDATORY - Must be distributed to neighbors and available to guests.
  • 2025 Good Neighbor Guidelines (PDF)
• Neighborhood Notification Letter: MANDATORY - Must be sent to neighbors.
  • 2025 Neighborhood Notification Letter (PDF)

State-Level Requirements:

• Washington State Business License: Obtain through the WA Department of Revenue.

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals in White Salmon (City-Level)

Residential Zones:

• Owner Occupancy Required: Property owners must prove the home is their primary residence.
• Rental Type & Limits:
  • Vacation Home Rental: Renting the entire primary home. Limited to 150 days per year. Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) cannot be rented under this category.
  • Hosted Homeshare: Renting part of the home or a separate ADU, with the owner present during the rental. No annual day limit.
• Property Owner Limits: Only one STR is allowed per property owner in residential zones, regardless of how many properties they own.
• City-Wide Cap: The total number of STRs in residential zones is capped at 10% of all housing units. This currently equals 122 permits based on 1,214 total units, with permits still available.

Commercial Zones:

• No Owner Limit: A property owner can operate multiple STRs.
• Property Limit: No more than 30% of the residential units on a property in a commercial zone can be used for STRs.
• No Annual Night Limit: Unlike Vacation Home Rentals in residential zones, there is no limit on the number of nights an STR can be rented in a commercial zone.

Key General Regulations:

• Permit Display: The STR permit must be displayed in the rental.
• Contact Availability: An owner or designated contact person must be available 24/7 to respond to complaints.
• Compliance: Operators must comply with all city ordinances, state laws, and tax requirements.
• Inspections: Properties must be available for city health and safety inspections at the city's discretion.

State-Level Regulations (Washington State)

• Sales Tax: Short-term rentals are subject to a 7.5% sales tax on the rental amount.
• Business Licensing: Operating any rental business requires a Washington State Business License (see process above).

Contact Information

Local Authority: City of White Salmon Planning Department

• City Planner (STR Liaison): Rowan Fairfield
• Phone: (509) 493-1133
• Hours: Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm
• Address: White Salmon City Hall, 100 N Main St., White Salmon, WA 98672
• Online Permit Center: ci-whitesalmon-wa.smartgovcommunity.com/Public/Home

Links to Source Pages

1. City of White Salmon Short-Term Rental Permits Page (Primary Source): https://www.whitesalmonwa.gov/planning/page/short-term-rental-permits
2. City of White Salmon Council STR Information: https://www.whitesalmonwa.gov/citycouncil/page/short-term-rentals
3. Columbia Gorge News Article (Historical Context on Ordinance): https://www.columbiagorgenews.com/whitesalmonenterprise/news/wscc-approves-short-term-rental-ordinance-annual-str-permit-fee/link_6aa7a477-ed3e-5736-9a51-c97605e1b0e6.html
4. Washington Department of Revenue (Business Licensing): https://dor.wa.gov

Note: The British Columbia (B.C.) regulatory content included in the provided sources pertains to B.C. laws and is not relevant to operating an STR in White Salmon, Washington (WA). This guide focuses exclusively on White Salmon and Washington State regulations.