White Salmon, Washington Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

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

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).
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).
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).
Register with Platforms: Once permitted, register your listing with platforms like Airbnb and VRBO, including your city permit number where required.
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).
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

City of White Salmon Short-Term Rental Permits Page (Primary Source): https://www.whitesalmonwa.gov/planning/page/short-term-rental-permits
City of White Salmon Council STR Information: https://www.whitesalmonwa.gov/citycouncil/page/short-term-rentals
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
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.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in White Salmon?

White Salmon hosts earn a median $33,251/year with $211 ADR and 58% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $49,525+ per year.

See the full White Salmon market breakdown

Next step

Found a property in White Salmon?

Paste any address and get estimated revenue, cash-on-cash return, and comparable STR performance in under 5 minutes. 3 free analyses per day.

Ask the AI Advisor about White Salmon

White Salmon is a small but increasingly well-known city in Klickitat County, Washington, perched on the north bank of the Columbia River. With a population of roughly 2,300, it has the feel of a quiet river town that doubles as an outdoor recreation hub. The community is best known as a launching point for the Columbia River Gorge and the broader gorge region, prized for its mix of small-town charm, river access, and proximity to the forests and peaks of the Pacific Northwest. White Salmon lies about 60 miles east of Portland, Oregon, directly across the river from the larger town of Hood River.

The most prominent regional feature is the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, which begins just downriver of town and stretches for more than eighty miles along the border of Oregon and Washington. Within minutes of White Salmon, visitors can access trailheads, the famous waterfalls of the western gorge such as Multnomah Falls, and the windswept ridgelines that draw hikers year-round. The gorge is also one of the top windsurfing and kiteboarding destinations in North America, and the steady westerlies funneling through the canyon make the Columbia a year-round draw for water sports enthusiasts.

Across the Columbia lies Hood River, Oregon, just a short drive over the river. Hood River is the larger, more commercial counterpart to White Salmon, offering a walkable downtown filled with restaurants, breweries, coffee shops, and outfitters catering to river and mountain sports. Together, the two towns form a single visitor market, with White Salmon often providing a quieter, more residential base for travelers who want to be near the action without being in the middle of it. The Hood River waterfront and the surrounding fruit orchards add a pastoral counterpoint to the wilder landscapes on either side.

To the north, [Mount Adams](en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Adams_(Washington) rises as the second-highest peak in Washington State and dominates the northern skyline from town. Its flanks give way to the Mount Adams Wilderness, a sprawling area of glacial valleys, wildflower meadows, and alpine lakes that draw hikers and backpackers from across the region. The mountain's southern approach via the small community of Trout Lake is roughly an hour from White Salmon, with several trailheads and forest roads leading into the wilderness from there.

For short-term rental owners, White Salmon offers a compelling mix: a peaceful small-town setting, immediate access to one of the country's most dramatic river gorges, and proximity to two major recreational peaks. Visitors who come for windsurfing, hiking, fall foliage drives, or simply the scenery find White Salmon a quieter, more affordable alternative to staying in Hood River, which has fueled steady interest in vacation rentals throughout the area.