Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Island County, WA

Airbnbs are effectively legal in Island County, WA because there are no specific short-term rental regulations on the books. Island County has no countywide STR ordinance; activity in unincorporated areas is governed by parcel-specific zoning, building/fire safety codes, and Washington state law (RCW 64.37). Municipalities like Coupeville restrict STRs to commercial zones and require annual licenses. Operators should still verify HOA rules, state-level requirements, and any tax-collection obligations. See the official source linked on this page for full requirements. Last verified 2026-05-14.

Island County has no countywide STR ordinance; activity in unincorporated areas is governed by parcel-specific zoning, building/fire safety codes, and Washington state law (RCW 64.37). Municipalities like Coupeville restrict STRs to commercial zones and require annual licenses.

No permit is currently required to operate a short-term rental in Island County.

Vrbo is effectively legal in Island County, WA for the same reason Airbnb is: there are no short-term-rental-specific regulations on the books. Operators should still check HOA, state, and tax obligations before listing. Last verified 2026-05-14.

Short-term rental hosts in Island County 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 Island County. STR rules change frequently — verify the current requirements with the city or county before listing, using the official source linked on this page.