Sumas, Washington

Short-Term Rental Regulations — Whatcom County

Conditional

STR Status

Permit: RequiredBusiness License Required
✓ Verified against the official ordinance.View source· Last verified 6/10/2026
700 ftBuffer Distance

Permit & Licensing

Permit RequiredYes
Renewalannual
Business License RequiredYes
WaitlistNot specified

Owner Requirements

Owner Occupancy RequiredNot specified
Primary Residence RequiredNot specified
Insurance RequiredNot specified

Limits & Restrictions

Density / Distance Cap700 ft
Parking RequiredYes

Taxes & Fees

Transient Occupancy Tax / TOTContact city for rates

Zoning Restrictions

  • yes — conditional use permit required in zones where single-family residence is not a permitted use; also required for 3+ unit structures

Official Sources

Data confidence: 93%Last updated: June 10, 2026

Short-term rental rules in Sumas, Washington

Short-term rentals (Airbnb, Vrbo) in Sumas, Washington are allowed under certain conditions. Operators must obtain a permit.

Frequently asked questions

Are short-term rentals allowed in Sumas, Washington?

Short-term rentals (including Airbnb and Vrbo) are allowed under certain conditions in Sumas, Washington.

Do I need a permit to run an Airbnb in Sumas?

A short-term rental permit is required, a business license is also required.

Where do these Sumas short-term rental rules come from?

These details are verified against Sumas's official short-term rental ordinance and updated when the rules change.

Always verify before you buy. Short-term-rental rules change often and may not be fully current here. Confirm directly with Sumas, Whatcom County, or Washington authorities — and consult a qualified attorney — before purchasing property or operating an STR. This is not legal advice.