Gig Harbor City Zoning Code

17.85 Short-Term

Rentals

17.85.010 Intent.

This chapter is intended to provide review procedures and criteria for the use of a legally established dwelling unit or accessory apartment as a short-term rental. The regulations herein are established to:

A. Permit residents to offer their residences as short-term rentals subject to reasonable city regulations.

B. Protect neighborhoods from the potentially adverse impacts of short-term rentals.

C. Minimize potential impacts on long-term housing availability and attainability. (Ord. 1507 § 8, 2023).

17.85.020 Applicability.

The regulations established in this chapter apply to all short-term rentals proposed or located within a legally established dwelling unit, accessory apartment, or portion thereof. (Ord. 1507 § 8, 2023).

17.85.030 Short-term rental.

To operate a short-term rental, the short-term rental applicant shall first obtain an approved short-term rental permit and city of Gig Harbor business license.

1. A short-term rental permit application shall be a Type II procedure and processed consistent with GHMC Title 19.

2. A short-term rental permit issued to one person or entity shall not be transferable to any other person or entity nor shall a short-term rental permit be valid at any address other than the one appearing on the permit.

3. A short-term rental permit is considered valid until one or all the following criteria exist:

a. Owner changes; or

b. A valid business license associated with the permit no longer exists.

B. Complete Application. A complete short-term rental permit application shall include the following:

1. Completed short-term rental permit application.

2. A verified statement by the applicant that the property affected by the application is in the exclusive ownership of the applicant, or that the applicant has submitted the application with the consent of all owners of the affected property.

3. Written description of the proposed short-term rental operation and affirmation that the proposed operation will meet the general requirements of GHMC 17.85.040.

4. Written description of the proposed location for the short-term rental operation.

5. Number of off-street parking spaces provided at the location, or that are proposed to be dedicated for use by guests of the short-term rental.

6. A completed good neighbor policy form.

7. Short-term rental permit fee as established by resolution of the city of Gig Harbor city council.

1. The proposed operation is found to be consistent with the definition for short-term rental.

2. The application is found to be in compliance with all general regulations required by this chapter.

D. Annual Business License Renewal. Each annual renewal of the owner’s business license shall include and comply with the following:

1. Before the annual renewal of the business license the owner shall submit to the city a signed and notarized affidavit in a form approved by the director and the city attorney. Through the affidavit the owner shall confirm information including, but not limited to, the following:

a. Affirmation that the general regulations of GHMC 17.85.040 have been met. (Ord. 1507 § 8, 2023).

17.85.040 General regulations.

A. The short-term rental permittee must maintain a valid short-term rental permit and city of Gig Harbor business license.

B. The approved short-term rental permit number and city of Gig Harbor business license shall be posted on every listing advertising or offering the short-term rental, including listings on short-term rental platforms.

C. A short-term rental permittee is allowed only one short-term rental permit in the city of Gig Harbor.

D. Short-term rental permittee, or their designee, shall always be available and able to respond in person, or by telephone, within one hour to complaints, guest concerns, and inquiries.

E. Contact information for the short-term rental permittee, or their designee, shall be clearly posted in a visible location within the main living space of the short-term rental.

F. A good neighbor policy, in a form provided by the city, shall be posted in a visible location within the main living space of the short-term rental. It shall be the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that their guests comply with the policy.

G. All off-street parking required for the primary use of the site shall be made available to guests.

H. On- or off-premises signs advertising the short-term rental shall not be permitted.

I. Short-term rental guests are not permitted to host banquets, parties, or other gatherings for direct or indirect compensation.

1. Short-term rental guests are permitted to hold noncommercial gatherings which do not infringe upon the right of the neighboring residents to enjoy a peaceful occupancy of their homes.

J. The short-term rental shall be conducted in such a manner as to give no outward appearance nor manifest any characteristics of a business, in the ordinary meaning of the term, that would infringe upon the right of the neighboring residents to enjoy a peaceful occupancy of their homes.

K. Maximum occupancy shall be regulated consistent with GHMC Title 15.

L. The short-term rental shall maintain all applicable performance standards for the zoning district or shoreline environment designation and as otherwise required by local, state and federal law.

M. The short-term rental shall meet all local, state, and federal requirements regarding licenses and taxes. (Ord. 1507 § 8, 2023).

17.85.050 Enforcement.

Enforcement of this chapter shall be conducted consistent with the enforcement of land use codes chapter of GHMC Title 19, the enforcement chapter of GHMC Title 15, the purpose and policy chapter of GHMC Title 5, and all other adopted and applicable enforcement chapters of this code. (Ord. 1507 § 8, 2023).