Short-Term Lodging
Overview of New Regulations
Effective July 1, 2024, short-term lodging owners and operators must obtain a Short-Term Lodging Business License from the City of Port Angeles and maintain compliance with the Port Angeles Municipal Code Chapters 17.23 and 17.24. Short-Term Lodging (STL) includes bed-and-breakfast and short-term rental operations located in Port Angeles city limits.
Bed and Breakfasts (BNB)
Bed and Breakfasts are defined as "a lodging use where rooms are provided to guests by an onsite resident bed and breakfast operator or owner for a fee by prearrangement on a daily or short-term basis. Breakfast and/or light snacks are served to those renting rooms in the bed and breakfast." See Port Angeles Municipal Code Ch. 17.24.
Short-Term Rentals (STR)
Short-Term Rentals are defined as "a dwelling unit used as temporary lodging for a charge or fee for a rental period of less than thirty (30) continuous days. Short-term rentals are classified as either Type I or Type II.” See Port Angeles Municipal Code Ch. 17.23.
- “Type I Short-Term Rental” is defined as a short-term rental at a dwelling that is the owner or designated lessee’s principal residence, where rooms are rented and located within the same structure as the primary residence, and the owner or designated lessee is personally present at the dwelling during the rental period. There are no restrictions on the number of Type I Short-Term Rentals in Port Angeles.
- “Type II Short-Term Rental” is defined as a short-term rental at a dwelling unit that is not the owner’s 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 licenses that can be issued.
Fire Life-Safety Inspection Requirement
Effective July 1, 2024, Short-Term Rentals are required to complete a Fire Life-Safety Inspection with the City of Port Angeles. Inspections can be scheduled after your application has been deemed complete by the City, and after the applicable license fee has been paid. Click here to schedule your inspection.
Code Enforcement
The Short-Term Lodging Division began enforcement activities on November 1, 2024. Our purpose is to promote the health, safety and welfare of the public and enhance the quality of life within our community. It is our policy to obtain code compliance by education and voluntary corrective action as a first step.
Learn More
To learn more about Short-Term Lodging, navigate through the sidebar on the left. You’ll find guidance for hosts and platforms, details on complaints and code enforcement, current short-term lodging data and regulatory history for STLs in the City of Port Angeles.