Is Airbnb legal in Spokane, WA?
RestrictedAirbnb is restricted in Spokane, WA
STRs are permitted in all residential zones under a city permit plus a business license, one million dollars of liability insurance, and an annual life-safety form. Limits include one STR per detached home and a cap of 20 percent of units in a multifamily building. Enforcement can escalate to permit revocation and a two-year bar.
Verified July 2026. Not legal advice. Rules change and may be enforced differently than written. Confirm with the city before you list.
Key rules at a glance
Permit or registration
Required
Primary residence only
No
Annual night cap
Not confirmed
Registration fee
See ordinance
How short-term rentals work in Spokane
STRs are permitted in all residential zones under a city permit plus a business license, one million dollars of liability insurance, and an annual life-safety form. Limits include one STR per detached home and a cap of 20 percent of units in a multifamily building. Enforcement can escalate to permit revocation and a two-year bar.
Non-owner investors can operate in Spokane, but within the city's limits above. Read the ordinance closely before you buy, because permits, caps, or zoning can make a specific property ineligible.
At the state level, Washington leaves short-term rental rules to cities and counties.
What it means for investors
An STR can still work in Spokane, but the limits shrink the pool of eligible properties and add compliance cost. Underwrite conservatively and confirm the specific address qualifies before you commit.
Short-term rental rules elsewhere in Washington
Last reviewed July 2026. Informational and educational only, not legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created. Rules change and may be enforced differently than written. Verify the current ordinance with your local jurisdiction or counsel before acting.
Frequently asked questions
Is Airbnb legal in Spokane?
STRs are permitted in all residential zones under a city permit plus a business license, one million dollars of liability insurance, and an annual life-safety form. Limits include one STR per detached home and a cap of 20 percent of units in a multifamily building. Enforcement can escalate to permit revocation and a two-year bar. This reflects the rules as of July 2026; confirm the current ordinance with the city before you list.
Do I need a permit to run a short-term rental in Spokane?
Yes. Spokane requires a permit or registration to operate a short-term rental, and platforms increasingly require the permit number on the listing.
Can I run a non-owner-occupied Airbnb in Spokane?
Yes, Spokane does not require you to live in the property, though other limits such as caps, zoning, or licensing may still apply.
Is there a limit on how many nights I can rent in Spokane?
No specific annual night cap was confirmed for Spokane, though minimum-stay rules or license caps may effectively limit operations. Check the ordinance.
What taxes apply to a short-term rental in Spokane?
Short-term rentals in Spokane are generally subject to state and local lodging or occupancy taxes on top of income tax. Airbnb and VRBO collect some of these automatically, but not always all of them, so confirm the current rate and who remits it with Washington and the city.