Short Term Rental Registry Process

On January 1, 2026, all owners and operators of short-term rentals (also known as Air BnBs) will be required to register the rental through Lewis County. Owners/operators will have one calendar year to come into compliance. The registry application will be available starting on January 1, 2026 through the online portal (link coming soon).

The requirements are specified in Lewis County Code Chapter 17.105. The following is a summary of the requirements (this is not an exhaustive list):

1. A short-term rental can be a single family home, accessory dwelling unit (ADU), duplex, detached bedroom, RV/trailer, yurt or other similar structure.
2. All short-term rentals will be required to have a building permit or certificate of occupancy. If that is not available, then the owner/operator will be required to submit a life/safety inspection by a qualified professional.
3. The occupancy limit for each short-term rental is two (2) people per bedroom, plus three (3) additional people. The maximum occupancy for a 3-bedroom short-term rental is 9 people.
4. Each short-term rental is required to have an approved water source that meets minimum water quality standards.
5. Each short-term rental is required to have approved sewage treatment.
6. Each short-term rental is also required to have one (1) on-site parking spot per bedroom, garbage service or secure garbage receptacle, and to provide up to date burn restriction information to guests.

Here are some Frequently Asked Questions with answers. For more information, please reach out to Mindy Brooks at mindy.brooks@lewiscountywa.gov or 360-740-2610.