HB 1798, sponsored by Cindy Ryu (D–Shoreline), establishes new requirements for those who operate short-term rentals and platforms that advertise these rentals, including consumer safety and liability insurance. The bill also subjects short-term rentals to the taxes, fees, and assessments paid by a hotel or bed and breakfast in the same jurisdiction – including occupancy, sales, and lodging taxes.

According to the bill, a short-term rental is defined as a lodging use provided to a guest for a fee for fewer than thirty consecutive nights. A short-term rental is not:

• A hotel, motel, or bed and breakfast;
• A dwelling unit that is occupied by the owner for at least six months during the calendar year and in which fewer than three rooms are rented at any time;
• A dwelling unit, or portion thereof, that is used by the same person for thirty or more consecutive nights; and
• A dwelling unit, or portion thereof, that is operated by a charity organization, private foundation, or government entity and provides temporary housing to individuals (or their family members) who are being treated for trauma, injury, or disease.

The bill’s companion, SB 5870, is sponsored by Sen. Marko Liias (D–Edmonds) and is also up for a hearing this week.

Dates to remember

HB 1798 is scheduled for a hearing in the House Consumer Protection & Business Committee on Tuesday, February 12 at 1:30 pm.

SB 5870 is scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Financial Institutions, Economic Development & Trade Committee on Tuesday, February 12 at 8 am.