XX.XX.XXX Short-Term Rentals
A. Purpose
The purpose of this section is to establish regulations for the operation of short-term rentals (STRs) in Klickitat County. The provisions in this section are necessary to promote economic development and tourism in the county, while ensuring fire, life, and safety concerns are addressed; preventing unreasonable burdens on services; and minimizing impacts to rural residential neighborhoods. These regulations apply to all short-term rentals in unincorporated Klickitat County as defined in Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 64.37.
This section does not apply to any accessory dwelling unit (ADU) or associated primary dwelling as these are restricted from use as an STR per County Code 19.54.110.
B. Definitions
1. “Short-term rental” means a lodging use, that is not a hotel or motel or bed and
breakfast, in which a dwelling unit, or portion thereof, that is offered or provided
to a guest by a short-term rental operator for a fee for fewer than thirty
consecutive nights.
2. “Short-term rental owner” means any person who, alone or with others, has title
or interest in any building, property, dwelling unit, or portion thereof, with or
without accompanying actual possession thereof, and including any person who
as agent, executor, administrator, trustee, or guardian of an estate has charge,
care, or control of any building, dwelling unit, or portion thereof is solely that of a
lessee under a lease agreement is not considered an owner.
3. “Short-term rental operator” means any person who receives payment for owning or
operating a dwelling unit, or portion thereof, as a short-term rental unit. In some cases,
the STR owner and STR operator are the same person(s).
4. “Local area” means an area that is within a driving distance of 60 minutes from the STRs
physical location.
5. “Unincorporated Klickitat County” means all land located within the boundaries of
Klickitat County, excluding land incorporated as being within the city limits of Bingen,
White Salmon, and Goldendale.
6. “Guest” means any person or persons renting a short-term rental unit.
C. STR License
1. License Requirement
a. No owner of real or personal property within unincorporated Klickitat County
may advertise, offer, operate, rent, receive numeration for, or otherwise make
available or allow any other person to make available for occupancy or use an
STR without a Klickitat County STR License (“License”), obtained from the
Klickitat County Community Development Department.
b. “Advertise or offer” includes communication through any media, whether
written, electronic, web-based, digital, mobile or otherwise.
c. Each separate dwelling or portion of a dwelling in unincorporated Klickitat
County offered as an STR must be licensed separately.
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2. License Application: It is the responsibility of the STR owner to complete a license
application and to submit the application along with the nonrefundable application
fee and all required supporting documentation in Section D “License Application
Requirements.
3. The nonrefundable application fee shall be $XXX for permits issued in 2026 and
2027 and shall increase by 5% on January 1st every year thereafter, unless
otherwise determined by the BOCC.
4. License Term: An STR License is valid from the date of issuance through December
31st of that same year, upon the conclusion of which the License is expired and
considered invalid if not renewed.
5. Annual License Renewal: In order to remain operational, the STR owner shall
submit a license renewal application prior to the STR License expiration date.
a. The renewal application shall include payment of a nonrefundable renewal fee
of $XXX for permits renewed in 2028 and shall increase by 5% on January 1st
every year thereafter, unless otherwise determined by the BOCC.
D. License Application Requirements
In order to receive a new License or to renew an expired License, an application shall be submitted to the Klickitat County Community Development Department (“Department”) on a form provided by the Department. The application shall include, but not limited to, the following elements:
1. Contact and location Information:
a. STR Owner Information: name, mailing address, physical address, telephone
number, and email address of the landowner for the STR which the license
will apply.
b. STR Operator Information if different from the owner: name, telephone
number, mailing address, physical address, and email address of the STR
operator.
c. Secondary Emergency Contact Information: in the case where neither the
STR owner nor operator are available when the property is being rented, the
name, telephone number, and email address of a contact person from the
local area who would be able to represent the owner regarding the use of the
property and/or complaints.
d. STR Information: the physical address of the dwelling in which the License will
apply, including the street address and tax parcel number.
2. Washington Universal Business Identifier (UBI) Number
3. Insurance: The applicant shall provide proof of liability insurance per section F.5 of
this ordinance.
4. Number of bedrooms and associated occupancy limits in accordance with the
operational standards of this section.
5. A signed statement, on a form provided by the Department, certifying that:
a. The STR complies with the development standards of this ordinance.
b. The applicant intends to comply with the operational requirements of this
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ordinance, with the understanding that failure to comply may constitute grounds for license revocation.
c. That the applicant will collect and remit all lodging taxes associated with
the STR in accordance with Chapter 64.37.020 RCW.
d. That the owner/operator will allow the county reasonable access to the
property for the limited purpose of verifying compliance with this ordinance
as necessary to investigate complaints received by the county in regard to
the STR.
6. A signed affidavit of mailing demonstrating compliance with section F.1 of this
ordinance, submitted at time of permit issuance or renewal, certifying notice was
sent to all required property owners of record.
7. Self-Inspection: The applicant shall conduct a self-inspection of the dwelling to
demonstrate compliance with the operational requirements. The applicant shall attach a
site plan and photos of the premises taken while conducting the self-inspection. The
pictures shall be clear, current, and representative of existing conditions. The abovelisted documents shall depict the following elements:
a. The site plan of the property shall include all structures, driveway access,
designated parking spaces, location of well and/or septic system (if applicable),
and any other permanent site amenities.
b. Photo of the front exterior of the STR, with the property address clearly visible.
c. Photo of the side and back exteriors of the STR, including the backyard if
present.
d. Photos of each room in the STR, including all bathrooms. Carbon monoxide and
fire alarms must be shown in the photos.
e. Photos of all fireplaces and wood stoves located in the STR.
f. Photos of the mandatory postings as specified in section F.12 of this ordinance.
8. License Renewal: Upon renewal of a License, the STR shall continue to conform to all
of the requirements listed in this section, and will specifically note any changes from the
previous application. The renewal application shall also include proof of continued
insurance coverage.
9. Notification of Licensure: The Klickitat County Community Development Department will
notify the applicant of license award or denial within thirty (30) calendar days from
receipt of complete application.
E. Development Standards
The following standard shall apply to the development and establishment of an STR in a residential structure or portion of a residential structure:
1. An STR may not be located within any structure or portion of a structure that has been
approved as an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) or the associated primary dwelling as
these are restricted from use as an STR per County Code 19.54.110.
2. An STR may be located within any residential dwelling unit properly permitted at time of
construction. Any structure that does not have all required permits, is not eligible to be
used as an STR.
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3. The STR shall conform to all applicable standards in the building, planning, electrical,
mechanical, fire, health (water and wastewater), and any other applicable codes.
4. Functioning carbon monoxide detectors and smoke detectors shall be kept in operating
order and installed as required by the International Residential Code (IRC). At least one
functioning fire extinguisher shall be installed within the STR.
5. Dedicated on-site parking shall be provided to accommodate all guests.
6. The property address shall be clearly marked and visible from the road from which the
property takes access.
F. Operational Requirements
In addition to all existing codes, STRs that are licensed by Klickitat County shall comply with the following operational requirements:
1. Notice to Neighbors: the STR operator shall provide an annual mailing, or otherwise
distribute by hand, notification to all properties adjacent to and abutting the property
licensed as an STR, as well as any property sharing a common driveway or private road
with the property. The notice shall include the telephone number of the STR operator to
be used in the case of conflicts or emergent issues arising from STR operation. If the
contact information of the operator changes during STR operation, the new information
must be re-mailed or re-distributed prior to any continued rental of the property.
2. The STR Owner/Operator, and Secondary Emergency Contact must be located in the
local area, within a 60 minute drive of the STR, and available to respond twenty-four
(24) hours a day during any period the STR is rented.
3. Response to Unverified Complaints:
a. The Klickitat County Code Enforcement Officer will notify the STR
owner/operator of any unverified neighborhood concerns or complaints, and the
operator shall respond to them within fifteen (15) days from the date of
notification.
b. Response can be either through mail, email, or by telephone communication
to the Klickitat County Code Enforcement Officer, who will then notify the
inquiring/petitioning party of the operator’s response and of any actions taken
to remedy a complaint.
c. Based on the information provided by the owner/operator and/or independent
investigation, the Code Enforcement Officer may require a health & safety
inspection in accordance with Section 4 below and/or initiate enforcement
measures under Section G below.
d. Klickitat County shall have the administrative authority to determine whether
a complaint constitutes a violation of the operational requirements.
4. Health, Safety, and Compliance Inspection:
a. If deemed necessary, all STR operators shall consent to an in-person
inspection conducted by the Klickitat County Code Enforcement Officer or a
representative of the County Building, Planning, Public Health, or Sheriff
Departments.
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b. The STR operator shall be notified by the county prior to an in-person
inspection being conducted.
c. Failure to consent, within fifteen (15) days of notification, to an in-person
inspection may constitute grounds for license revocation in accordance with
section G of this ordinance.
d. If it is determined that a violation of this ordinance has taken place, the county
will assess a $100 inspection fee, due within 30 days of notification; failure to
pay this fee within this time period may constitute grounds for revocation in
accordance with Section G of this ordinance.
5. Insurance Required: Per RCW 64.37.050, an STR operator must maintain primary
liability insurance to cover the STR in the aggregate of not less than one million dollars
or conduct each STR transaction through a platform that provides equal or greater
primary liability insurance coverage.
6. Tax Payments: Per RCW 64.37.020, STR operators must remit all applicable local,
state, and federal taxes unless the platform does this on the operator’s behalf.
7. On-Site Parking Required: The property shall contain dedicated on-site parking that is
provided to guests. All advertising and booking information shall clearly indicate the
limitations on the number of vehicles based on on-site parking availability.
8. Animals: Pets or any other animals shall be kept off of neighboring properties. If there
is no fenced yard, unattended animals shall be kept on a leash or in an enclosure when
outside.
9. Noise: The STR shall be operated in a way that will prevent disturbances to neighboring
properties not typical of a residential neighborhood, including compliance with the county
Noise Ordinance, Title 9.15.
10. Occupancy Limit: The maximum occupancy for an STR shall be two overnight guests
per bedroom, not counting children under the age of three, the number of bedrooms
being determined by the approved building permit for the property. If the STR includes
additional living space beyond the designated bedroom(s), such as a living room or den,
up to two additional guests shall be allowed.
11. Commercial Events Prohibited: The STR shall not be used to host commercial events
without a conditional use permit obtained by the Klickitat County Planning Department.
12. Mandatory Postings:
a. The property address must be clearly visible from the STRs front exterior.
b. If a Klickitat County burn ban is in effect while the STR is in operation, notice of
the burn ban must be clearly posted within the STR.
c. If there is not a fence line on the property, all property boundaries shall be posted
with signage facing inward notifying renters of neighboring private property.
d. The following elements must be posted in a conspicuous location within the STR,
such as in a binder or packet provided guests:
i. The short-term rental street address
ii. The emergency contact information for summoning police, fire, or
emergency medical services
iii. Identification of primary points of egress in case of fire
iv. The maximum occupancy limits
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v. Contact information for the STR Operator
vi. Contact information for the Klickitat County Code Enforcement Officer
vii. Parking diagram showing where renters are allowed to park and where
parking is prohibited
e. Pets or any other animals shall be kept off of neighboring properties. If there is
no fenced yard, unattended animals shall be kept on a leash or in an enclosure
when outside.
G. Enforcement, Expiration, and Revocation
In addition to other enforcement options available to the county under Klickitat County Code
Chapter 1.20 (KCC 1.20), the following provisions apply to violations of this section.
1. Operating a STR without a valid, current License will result in the following
enforcement procedures on an annual basis:
a. Upon expiration of the License or identification of a property operating
an STR without a License, the county will provide a courtesy notice to
the registered owner/operator, giving them 30 days to renew or apply
for a License.
b. If the License is not applied for within 30 days of the courtesy notice,
the county will send a second notice, informing the owner/operator that
they must apply for the License within 30 days of the second notice in
order to avoid a penalty.
c. If the License is not applied for within 30 days of the second notice, an
administrative fee of $50 shall be assessed in addition to the License
renewal fee and the county will send a third and final notice.
d. Any STR operating without a valid License beyond 30 days after the
third and final notice shall be subject to fines in accordance with KCC
1.20 (Note: may change with upcoming fine ordinance).
2. Failure to maintain the development and operational standards of this
ordinance will result in the following enforcement procedures:
a. Upon verification by the county of a violation, the county will provide a
courtesy notice to the registered owner/operator of the STR requesting
that the STR be brought into compliance within 30 days of notification.
b. If the violation is not addressed to the satisfaction of the county within
30 days of the courtesy notice, the county will send a second notice to
the owner/operator informing them that if the issue is not resolved
within 30 days of the second notice, the License will be revoked.
c. A revoked license may be reinstated with a new License application,
demonstrating the violation has been resolved, along with a $100
reinstatement fee in addition to the application fee.
d. Any STR operating with a revoked License shall be subject to the
enforcement procedures in section G.1. above.
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3. The county reserves the right to immediately suspend or revoke any License
when it is determined that there is an imminent threat to public health and
safety.
H. Remedies Not Exclusive
The remedies provided in this chapter are in addition to, and not in lieu of, all other legal remedies criminal and civil, which may be pursued by Klickitat County to address any violation of this code.
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