Port Ludlow, Washington Short-Term Rental Market
Puget Sound/Bremerton area STRs averaged $233/night at 53.6% occupancy in April 2026 across roughly 5,380 active listings.
Quick Answer: Port Ludlow, Washington is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy is 54%. average monthly revenue is $3,256. average daily rate is $233. the top operator is Vacasa with 325 listings. market score is 70/100 (grade B).
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions Apivex evaluates per market.
Market Overview
The Puget Sound/Bremerton/Port Ludlow short-term rental market covers Jefferson County and surrounding Kitsap Peninsula areas, with approximately 5,380 active listings. In April 2026, the average daily rate was $233 and average occupancy sat at 53.6%, producing a RevPAR of $125. The market has nearly equal Airbnb and dual-platform representation: 2,536 listings (47%) are Airbnb-only, 2,435 (45%) appear on both Airbnb and VRBO, and 409 (8%) are VRBO-only. By listing type, entire-place rentals dominate at 5,060 units (94%), with private rooms at 318. The bedroom distribution skews toward smaller units: one-bedrooms lead at 2,157 listings, followed by two-bedrooms at 1,394, three-bedrooms at 1,143, four-bedrooms at 481, and five-plus-bedrooms at 193. Year-over-year, occupancy declined 2.0 percentage points while ADR rose 4.2%, resulting in a net revenue decline of 2.3%. The market’s rental demand score is 83 out of 100 and its revenue growth score is 82 out of 100, reflecting strong Pacific Northwest demand fundamentals and consistent long-term revenue improvement despite recent softening.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy | ADR | Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 36% | $177 | $1,851 |
| Feb | 47% | $182 | $2,000 |
| Mar | 50% | $188 | $2,477 |
| Apr | 56% | $204 | $2,991 |
| May | 58% | $215 | $3,092 |
| Jun | 68% | $247 | $4,265 |
| Jul | 79% | $256 | $5,320 |
| Aug | 79% | $255 | $5,362 |
| Sep | 63% | $228 | $3,781 |
| Oct | 50% | $194 | $2,717 |
| Nov | 45% | $192 | $2,271 |
| Dec | 45% | $193 | $2,323 |
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Port Ludlow
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vacasa | 325 | 24,007 | ★ 4.52 |
| 2 | Evolve | 145 | 9,099 | ★ 4.83 |
| 3 | San Juan Property Management | 91 | 8,648 | ★ 4.73 |
| 4 | AvantStay | 83 | 6,283 | ★ 4.75 |
| 5 | Brigadoon Vacation Rentals | 57 | 3,480 | ★ 4.81 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Port Ludlow?
Revenue and pricing by property type, tier, and bedroom count.
Revenue by Bedroom Count
| 1 bed | 2,157 |
| 2 bed | 1,394 |
| 3 bed | 1,143 |
| 4 bed | 481 |
| 5 bed | 193 |
ADR by Property Tier
| Entire Home | $240 |
| Luxury | $412 |
| Professionally Managed | $264 |
Revenue by Dwelling Type
| Apartment | $2,476 |
| Entire Place | $3,358 |
| House | $3,528 |
Booking Channel Mix
Distribution of bookings across major STR platforms.
| Channel | Share |
|---|---|
| airbnb | 47.1% |
| vrbo | 7.6% |
| both | 45.3% |
Investment Analysis
The Puget Sound/Port Ludlow area presents a moderate investment case with strong demand fundamentals but elevated entry costs. At an April 2026 revenue average of $3,256 per month, a property generating that figure produces approximately $39,072 annualized, a gross yield of roughly 6.1% against the typical home value of $645,185. Houses outperform apartments by $1,052/month ($3,528 vs $2,476), reinforcing that larger standalone properties command premiums in this waterfront market. The tier spread is meaningful: luxury listings average $412/night versus $233 for the all-market average, and professionally managed listings average $264/night, a 13% premium. Annual average revenue has grown from $2,316 in 2017 to $3,907 in 2025, a 69% increase over 8 years, and the 2024 and 2025 figures of $3,759 and $3,907 show sustained gains. The market’s total score is 70 out of 100, with investability at 65, indicating above-average conditions nationally. Investors should note the important regulatory complexity in the Port Ludlow Master Planned Resort zone specifically: STRs are prohibited in residential neighborhoods within the MPR and only permitted in the designated Resort Complex Zone.
Revenue Trend (5 yr)
ADR & Occupancy Trends (5 yr)
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Booking Insights
In April 2026, guests booked an average of 44.2 days in advance with an average length of stay of 3.43 nights. The 44-day lead time reflects the planning behavior of Pacific Northwest travelers who book marina stays, golf trips, and Olympic Peninsula outdoor excursions well in advance. For operators, a 44-day booking window means pricing adjustments made 6 weeks out can still capture the majority of reservations. The 3.43-night average stay is consistent with a weekend-getaway market where guests arrive Friday and stay through Monday, or take mid-week 3-4 night breaks. Operators should consider 3-night minimum stays to reduce turnover costs, particularly in the peak summer season when demand is strong enough to support the requirement.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
IMPORTANT: Within the Port Ludlow Master Planned Resort (MPR), short-term rentals are PROHIBITED in the residential neighborhoods and are ONLY permitted in the designated Resort Complex Zone (covering the Inn, Marina, Beach Club, and Condos). Property owners in Port Ludlow residential areas cannot legally operate STRs. In the Resort Complex Zone, a Jefferson County Department of Community Development land use permit is required, including fire and life safety inspection and septic documentation. A key restriction applies: the owner or operator must reside in Jefferson County and be present during all active rental periods, which limits remote-managed listings. Occupancy is capped at 2 guests per bedroom based on septic capacity. For unincorporated Jefferson County properties outside the Port Ludlow MPR, Ordinance No. 03-0407-25 (adopted April 7, 2025) governs: STRs are allowed in Rural Residential, Rural Village Center, and Resource Lands zones, capped at 4% of housing units per ZIP code. Permits are issued for 3-year terms for non-owner-occupied properties; annual fire inspections are required. The combined tax burden includes approximately 2% special lodging tax plus the state/local sales tax, totaling approximately 11.5%. All Washington State operators must also hold a state business license (UBI) and carry $1 million minimum liability insurance under RCW 64.37. Enforcement severity is rated moderate.
Market Comparison
Against national STR benchmarks, the Puget Sound/Bremerton market performs near the national median on occupancy and slightly above median on ADR. The US STR median occupancy is approximately 55%; this market averaged 53.6% in April 2026, slightly below the national median. The market ADR of $233 is above the US median of approximately $220. Among operators, Vacasa leads with 325 listings and a 4.52 rating, followed by Evolve with 145 listings and a strong 4.83 rating. San Juan Property Management holds third with 91 listings, AvantStay manages 83 listings, and Brigadoon Vacation Rentals rounds out the top 5 with 57 listings and an excellent 4.81 rating. The top 5 collectively manage 701 listings, approximately 13% of the market. The market’s total score of 70 and rental demand score of 83 place it in the upper third nationally on demand fundamentals.
Frequently Asked Questions About Port Ludlow, Washington
Can I operate an Airbnb in the Port Ludlow resort community?
What is the average daily rate for STRs in the Puget Sound/Bremerton area?
What permits are required for STRs in Jefferson County, WA?
What taxes apply to STRs in the Port Ludlow/Jefferson County area?
When is the peak season for Puget Sound STRs?
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