History of Short-Term Lodging Ordinances and Regulations

Ordinance 3577 - Defining Short-Term Rentals

Ordinance 3577 was passed in 2017, amending Title 17 of the Port Angeles Municipal Code. This ordinance provided a definition for Short-Term Rentals (STRs) for the very first time in Port Angeles’ City history, and listing STRs as an allowed use in the Residential Medium Density, Residential High Density, and Commercial Zones. 

Ordinance 3714 - Limited Moratorium

In June 2023, the City Council adopted an ordinance establishing a limited moratorium on certain new short-term rentals. The limited moratorium, which took effect June 16, 2023 and ended on December 16, 2023,  did not ban all short-term rentals within City limits. Instead, its purpose was to prohibit the establishment of new short-term rentals located within Residential Medium-Density and Residential High-Density zones. The limited moratorium did not impact: 

• Existing short-term rentals that are compliant with current zoning requirements.
• New short-term rentals located in commercial zones.
• The rental of rooms within a house where the owner resides. 
• Owners who rent out their homes while on vacation or where the entire housing unit is rented out for 30 days or less during the calendar year.

Ordinance 3728 - Comprehensive STL Regulations

In 2020, the City contracted with Madrona Law Group to examine the entirety of the Port Angeles Municipal Code, ensuring its compliance with state and federal law, eliminating outdated provisions, and adding new provisions that increase the health, safety, and welfare of Port Angeles.  As part of this process, a community survey conducted by the City in 2021 yielded feedback on several critical issues. The regulation of short-term rentals was included, and 55% of respondents felt that some regulation of short-term rentals was necessary.

In December 2023, following the limited moratorium, the City proposed platform-based regulations for short-term rentals and bed-and-breakfast operations, including a proposed fee structure and licensing program. The initial draft was drawn from jurisdictional best practices across the state including the cities of Bellingham, Gig Harbor, Port Townsend, Seattle and Walla Walla, as well as feedback received from public comment.

The City launched a robust public engagement effort to receive additional public feedback on the proposal. This included an online community survey, several feedback sessions, and public hearings. After receiving feedback from both the community and the Planning Commission, City staff made several updates to the initial draft. The final draft was presented to the City Council for consideration during an initial public hearing on February 20, 2024. The ordinance was adopted on March 6, 2024, and took effect on July 1, 2024. 

Per the ordinance, owners and operators of active short-term rental and bed-and-breakfast operations must obtain a business license from the City of Port Angeles. Short-Term Rentals must also obtain an inspection from the City. Other key details include: 

• Unlimited “Type I” Short-Term Rentals: Defined as a short-term rental in the owner or designated lessee’s principal residence, where rooms are rented, and the owner or designated lessee is present during the rental period. There are no restrictions on the location or number of “Type I” Short-Term Rentals in Port Angeles.
• Some restrictions for “Type II” Short-Term Rentals: Defined as a short-term rental in a dwelling that is not the owner or designated lessee’s principal residence. There are no location-based restrictions for “Type II” Short-Term Rentals, however there is a citywide cap of 200 total units. 
• License Limitations for “Type II” Short-Term Rentals: Only one unit may be permitted per license, one license may be issued per owner/marital community, and one license may be issued per parcel.

Ordinance 3730 - Revised Inspection Requirements for BNBs

On July 16, 2024, the Port Angeles City Council adopted a new ordinance which revised the City-provided fire life-safety inspection requirements for bed-and-breakfast operations. Under the updated legislation, bed-and-breakfasts are not required to obtain a fire life-safety inspection from the City. Instead, owners and operators and bed-and-breakfasts are now required to upload their approved inspections from the Clallam County Department of Health and Washington State Department of Health. 

Ordinance 3733- Modified Regulations for Eligible Type II STRs

On August 20, 2024, the Port Angeles City Council adopted an ordinance that temporarily adjusted regulations for eligible Short-Term Rentals. The legislation temporarily allowed eligible property owners and operators to apply for multiple Type II Short-Term Lodging Business Licenses. 

Moving forward, the original limitations apply, and no new applications are being accepted.  

Ordinance 3748 - Revised the Definition of Type I Short-Term Rental

On May 6, 2025, the Port Angeles City Council adopted a new ordinance which revised the definition of "Type I" Short-Term Rental and added a new definition of "Structure Envelope." After May 16, 2025, a Type I Short-Term Rental license will only be issued or renewed for a property where the room(s) to be rented are located within the same structure envelope as the primary residential use. Further, room(s) in detached or satellite accessory structures will not qualify as a Type I Short-Term Rental. 

A Structure Envelope is defined as the physical barrier that separates the inside of a building from the outside and includes the building's exterior walls, roof, foundation, doors and windows.