Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Bellingham, WA

Airbnb listings are allowed in Bellingham, WA, but with restrictions. STRs are permitted in residential, commercial, and urban village zones. In residential zones, the unit must be the operator's primary residence (270+ days/year), whole-unit rentals are capped at 95 days/year, and only one STR is allowed per operator. Commercial and urban village zones allow non-primary residences without an annual day cap. A permit is required before you can host. These rules apply to all short-term rental platforms (Airbnb, Vrbo, Booking.com, etc.) — not just Airbnb specifically. See the official source linked on this page for full requirements. Last verified 2026-05-14.

STRs are permitted in residential, commercial, and urban village zones. In residential zones, the unit must be the operator's primary residence (270+ days/year), whole-unit rentals are capped at 95 days/year, and only one STR is allowed per operator. Commercial and urban village zones allow non-primary residences without an annual day cap.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Bellingham. 1. Consult the Permit Center to determine permit type (Type I, II, or III-A) and provide courtesy notice to neighbors if required. 2. Submit the STR permit application with a valid business license, proof of primary residency, liability insurance ($1M minimum), and site plans. 3. Complete a safety inspection and pay the application fee ($370–$847); permits must be renewed biennially by January 1 of even-numbered years.

1. Consult the Permit Center to determine permit type (Type I, II, or III-A) and provide courtesy notice to neighbors if required. 2. Submit the STR permit application with a valid business license, proof of primary residency, liability insurance ($1M minimum), and site plans. 3. Complete a safety inspection and pay the application fee ($370–$847); permits must be renewed biennially by January 1 of even-numbered years.

Vrbo is permitted in Bellingham, WA under the same restrictions that apply to Airbnb — local rules govern the rental itself, not the specific platform. You must hold a valid permit before hosting on Vrbo. Last verified 2026-05-14.

Short-term rental hosts in Bellingham are typically responsible for lodging, occupancy, and applicable sales taxes — these usually apply even where hosting is allowed without a permit. Rates and remittance rules vary by jurisdiction (state, county, and city can each levy a share); confirm the current rates with the official source linked on this page. Platforms such as Airbnb and Vrbo collect some taxes automatically, but the host remains liable for any not collected on their behalf.

We are not currently tracking any recent short-term rental ordinance changes for Bellingham. STR rules change frequently — verify the current requirements with the city or county before listing, using the official source linked on this page.