Short-Term Rental Regulations
in Vancouver, WA

Airbnb listings are allowed in Vancouver, WA, but with restrictions. Short-term rentals (STRs) are defined as rentals for fewer than 30 consecutive nights and are capped at 870 permits or 1% of the city's housing stock. Operators must maintain $1 million in liability insurance, provide neighbor notifications to all abutting/adjacent property owners, and comply with safety standards including smoke/CO alarms and fire extinguishers. 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.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are defined as rentals for fewer than 30 consecutive nights and are capped at 870 permits or 1% of the city's housing stock. Operators must maintain $1 million in liability insurance, provide neighbor notifications to all abutting/adjacent property owners, and comply with safety standards including smoke/CO alarms and fire extinguishers.

Yes, a permit is required to operate a short-term rental in Vancouver. 1. Obtain a Washington State Business License with a City of Vancouver endorsement. 2. Complete neighbor notifications and prepare required documents (insurance proof, notification affidavit, and address list). 3. Submit the online Short-Term Rental Permit Application through the City's portal and allow for City review and potential inspection.

1. Obtain a Washington State Business License with a City of Vancouver endorsement. 2. Complete neighbor notifications and prepare required documents (insurance proof, notification affidavit, and address list). 3. Submit the online Short-Term Rental Permit Application through the City's portal and allow for City review and potential inspection.

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