Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Lakewood, WA

Airbnb listings are allowed in Lakewood, WA, but with restrictions. STRs are prohibited in Commercial 1-3, Industrial, and Public/Open Space zones. Operators must post a Good Neighbor Policy with 24-hour contact info, and hosting events or parties for compensation is strictly prohibited. Properties must maintain a valid Certificate of Compliance through the RHSP. 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 prohibited in Commercial 1-3, Industrial, and Public/Open Space zones. Operators must post a Good Neighbor Policy with 24-hour contact info, and hosting events or parties for compensation is strictly prohibited. Properties must maintain a valid Certificate of Compliance through the RHSP.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Lakewood. 1) Register the property with the Rental Housing Safety Program (RHSP) and obtain an annual Rental Business License via the city's portal. 2) Submit a Type II administrative application to Planning & Public Works, which includes a public notice period. 3) Schedule and pass a safety inspection (required every five years).

1) Register the property with the Rental Housing Safety Program (RHSP) and obtain an annual Rental Business License via the city's portal. 2) Submit a Type II administrative application to Planning & Public Works, which includes a public notice period. 3) Schedule and pass a safety inspection (required every five years).

Vrbo is permitted in Lakewood, 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 Lakewood 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 Lakewood. STR rules change frequently — verify the current requirements with the city or county before listing, using the official source linked on this page.