Yakima, Washington Short Term Rental Regulations Guide for Airbnb hosts

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

Yes, short-term rentals are explicitly allowed in Yakima, Washington, both at the city and county level, subject to specific regulatory requirements, permitting processes, and operational standards. Yakima County allows short-term rentals as a permitted use in all zoning districts that permit residential dwellings, while the City of Yakima regulates them through structured land use reviews and business licensing requirements.

What do Airbnb hosts actually earn in Yakima?

Yakima hosts earn a median $27,924/year with $147 ADR and 63% occupancy.

Top performers pull in $39,434+ per year.

See the full Yakima market breakdown

How to Start a Short-Term Rental Business in Yakima

Step 1: Zoning Compliance Verification

Determine your property's zoning using the City's interactive CityMap tool or Zoning Map
Verify STR eligibility in your specific zoning district:
- City of Yakima: STRs permitted in CBD (Type 1 review), SR/R-1/R-2/R-3/SCC/LCC/GC (Type 3 review), or outright permitted if owner-resided in residential zones
- Yakima County: Permitted in all residential zoning districts

Step 2: Permit Application Process

Apply for required land use review based on your zoning:
- Type 1 Review: Administrative approval for CBD district
- Type 3 Review: Hearing Examiner approval for residential/commercial districts
- No review required: If owner resides in the rental property

Step 3: Business Licensing

Obtain City of Yakima Business License (required for all rental properties)
Register with Washington State Department of Revenue for state business requirements
Annual license renewal mandatory

Required Documents, Permits, Licenses, and Guidelines

County-Level Requirements (Yakima County)

Conditional Use Permit for STR use of eligible dwelling unit
Maximum occupancy compliance with International Building Code standards
Off-street parking: One space per guest unit meeting design standards
Signage compliance with county sign regulations (YCC 19.20)

City-Level Requirements (City of Yakima)

Land Use Application:
- Type 1 Review Application (CBD district)
- Type 3 Review Application (residential/commercial districts)
Business License Application (annual renewal required)
Compliance with home occupation stipulations (YMC 15.04.120) if applicable
Special development standards compliance (YMC 15.09.080) for STR operations

Documentation Requirements

Property ownership verification
Site plan showing parking and STR configuration
Compliance with setback and zoning requirements
State and federal business registration documentation

Specific Regulations for Short-Term Rentals

Yakima County Regulations (YCC Chapter 19.18.420)

Definition & Intent

STRs defined as residential dwelling units rented to overnight guests for fewer than 30 consecutive days
Intent to balance property owner rights with neighborhood impact mitigation

Operational Limits

Maximum 5 STR units permitted on a single parcel
Combined use limitation: Where parcel contains residential unit, private room, or ADU, no more than 5 units total may function as STR
Eligible dwellings: Must be legally established residences per building and planning departments

Approval Criteria

Occupancy: Maximum occupancy per International Building Code standards
Parking: One off-street space per guest unit
Signage: Must comply with county sign regulations

City of Yakima Regulations (YMC Chapter 15.04)

Zoning-Based Permitting

CBD District: Type 1 land use review required
Residential Districts (SR, R-1, R-2, R-3): Type 3 review required
Commercial Districts (SCC, LCC, GC): Type 3 review required
Owner-Resided Rentals: Outright permitted (max 5 lodging units/guest rooms)

Operational Standards

Must comply with YMC 15.09.080 special regulations for STRs
Follow general home occupation stipulations (YMC 15.04.120)
Business license required for all rental properties (short-term and long-term)

State-Level Requirements (Washington State)

Business License: Required through Washington State Department of Revenue
Tax Compliance: Must comply with state and federal tax regulations
Business Registration: State business registration requirements apply

Contact Information for Local Authorities

Yakima County Planning Division

Primary Contact: (509) 574-2300
Website: Yakima County Planning
Document Center: County Documents

City of Yakima Planning Division

Phone: (509) 575-6183
Email: ask.planning@yakimawa.gov
Website: City Planning FAQ
Applications & Forms: Land Use Applications

City of Yakima Code Administration

Phone: (509) 576-6657
Business Licenses: Licenses Page
Permits: Permits Page

Washington State Department of Revenue

Business Registration: https://dor.wa.gov/open-business

Source Pages and References

Official Government Sources

Yakima County STR Regulations:
- YCC Chapter 19.18.420 - Short-Term Rentals
City of Yakima Planning Information:
Municipal Code References:

Interactive Tools

Professional Resources

Lodge Compliance - Yakima County STR Information (Third-party compliance service)

Important Notes for Investors:

STR regulations can change; verify current requirements with local authorities
Consider engaging local planning consultants for complex zoning scenarios
Budget for application fees, legal compliance, and ongoing renewal costs
Understand that separate rules may apply within designated overlay districts or critical areas
Monitor both city and county regulatory updates as they may have differing requirements

This guide provides a comprehensive foundation for STR investment in Yakima, but investors should conduct additional due diligence and consult directly with local authorities for specific property situations and current regulatory changes.

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Ask the AI Advisor about Yakima

Yakima sits in south-central Washington as the seat of Yakima County, with a population of roughly 95,000 residents. Set in a broad valley on the eastern slopes of the Cascades, the city has the feel of a working agricultural hub wrapped around a compact downtown, with a strong wine, hop, and orchard economy that gives it a distinctly different character from the wetter, forested parts of the state. It is best known as the heart of one of the Pacific Northwest's most productive wine regions and as a gateway to outdoor recreation in the Cascades and on the high plateaus to the east. Yakima is located about 140 miles southeast of Seattle and is reached by interstate highway from both Seattle and Portland.

A short drive north of the city, the Yakima Valley's vineyards form one of the largest concentrations of wineries in the Pacific Northwest, and the Yakima Valley American Viticultural Area encompasses hundreds of growers producing everything from riesling to syrah. Tasting rooms are spread across the surrounding towns of Zillah, Prosser, and Red Mountain, generally within a 30-to-45-minute drive of downtown, and they make the valley one of the more popular day-trip itineraries in central Washington.

To the west, Yakima is a common base for visitors heading into Mount Rainier National Park, about a two-and-a-half-hour drive via the White Pass or Chinook Pass entrances. The park's subalpine wildflower meadows and glacier views draw hikers, climbers, and photographers through the summer months, and the city's hotels and short-term rentals fill with travelers using Yakima as a launching point before the long climb into the Cascades.

Closer to town, the Yakima River cuts through the valley and supports a steady recreation scene, with rafting, tubing, and fishing sections within about a 30-minute drive of downtown. The river also anchors the Yakima Greenway, a paved path system that runs along its banks and connects parks, neighborhoods, and the city's arboretum. In midtown, the historic Capitol Theatre hosts touring music and theater productions, and the surrounding blocks of downtown have seen reinvestment in restaurants, breweries, and small hotels that reflect the valley's growing wine-country audience.

For short-term rental owners, Yakima offers a combination that is hard to match in the broader region: an affordable real-estate base, a genuine agricultural identity, and a steady mix of year-round visitors coming for wine tasting, river recreation, the annual Central Washington State Fair, and day trips into the Cascades. Its position between Seattle and Portland gives it broad appeal across seasons, while the wine and fruit industries keep midweek business travel and weekend tourism flowing well outside of peak summer months.