Friday Harbor, Washington Short-Term Rental Market
Moratorium blocks new Friday Harbor rentals; regional September 2026 ADR $293, occupancy 62.6%, revenue $4,942 monthly.
Quick Answer: Friday Harbor, Washington is an active short-term rental market. average occupancy in the Puget Sound/Bremerton market area is 63%. average monthly revenue in the Puget Sound/Bremerton market area is $4,942. average daily rate in the Puget Sound/Bremerton market area is $293. the top operator in the Puget Sound/Bremerton market area is Vacasa with 327 listings. market score is 70/100 (grade B).
Market data reflects the Puget Sound/Bremerton regional market, which includes Friday Harbor. Regulations, taxes, and permit details below are specific to Friday Harbor.
Market Score Breakdown
Five dimensions StaySTRA evaluates per market.
Market Overview
This profile describes the Salish Sea and Puget Sound region of Washington STR market, a shared market area that includes Friday Harbor, Lopez Island, and Eastsound. Performance numbers below are regional figures as of September 2026, not Friday Harbor alone. Bedroom, channel, and listing-type counts and top operator names are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Friday Harbor, so this profile omits them.
Restrictions come first. San Juan County is not accepting new vacation rental applications, island permit caps apply (337 on San Juan Island), and vacation rentals on parcels connected to the Town of Friday Harbor water system are prohibited. Buyers should read the regulatory section before the revenue figures.
In September 2026 the regional market averaged an ADR of $293 and occupancy of 62.6%, producing average monthly revenue of $4,942. Year over year, occupancy is up 4.8%, ADR is up 6.4%, and revenue is up 6.5%. Entire-place listings averaged $303 in ADR and $5,097 in monthly revenue, above the all-listings average. Seasonal-sum annualized revenue for the regional market is $39,255.
Through the first nine months of 2026, the regional market has run 59.3% occupancy, a $269 ADR, and $4,425 in monthly revenue. Full-year 2025 came in at 55.5% occupancy, a $251 ADR, and $3,917 in monthly revenue. The 2026 monthly revenue figure is above the 2025 level of $3,917, the previous high in the series.
Friday Harbor itself has 2,736 residents and is the main arrival and lodging hub for the San Juan Islands, which draw roughly 700,000 visitors a year. Most arrive by Washington State Ferry from Anacortes. Orca watching, the Whale Museum, and Lime Kiln Point State Park anchor summer demand.
Seasonal Patterns
| Month | Occupancy |
|---|---|
| Jan | 36% |
| Feb | 47% |
| Mar | 50% |
| Apr | 56% |
| May | 58% |
| Jun | 69% |
| Jul | 79% |
| Aug | 79% |
| Sep | 63% |
| Oct | 50% |
| Nov | 45% |
| Dec | 45% |
Month-by-month nightly rates and revenue figures for Friday Harbor are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Top Short-Term Rental Operators in Puget Sound/Bremerton market area
Ranked by total active listings. Useful for understanding the competitive landscape. Operator data is published for the Puget Sound/Bremerton market as a whole, which includes Friday Harbor, so these counts are not Friday Harbor-only figures.
| # | Operator | Listings | Reviews | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vacasa | 327 | 24,080 | ★ 4.52 |
| 2 | Evolve | 144 | 9,100 | ★ 4.83 |
| 3 | San Juan Property Management | 91 | 8,680 | ★ 4.73 |
| 4 | AvantStay | 83 | 6,296 | ★ 4.75 |
| 5 | Brigadoon Vacation Rentals | 58 | 3,491 | ★ 4.81 |
What Kind of STR Should I Buy in Friday Harbor?
Revenue and nightly-rate breakdowns by bedroom count, property tier, and dwelling type for Friday Harbor are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Booking Channel Mix
Distribution of bookings across major STR platforms.
| Channel | Share |
|---|---|
| airbnb | 47.1% |
| vrbo | 7.6% |
| both | 45.3% |
Home Value Trends (Friday Harbor)
Typical home values, median sale prices, and the 10-year price trend for Friday Harbor are available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Booking Insights
Booking-window and length-of-stay analysis for Friday Harbor — how far ahead guests book and how to price around it — is available to StaySTRA Pro members. Unlock with StaySTRA Pro or analyze a specific address free.
Short-Term Rental Regulations
Short-term rentals are permitted in the Friday Harbor area but are strictly regulated by two overlapping authorities, and enforcement severity is rated strict. San Juan County requires a Vacation Rental Permit for any rental under 30 days. The permit is either a Conditional Use Permit at $2,300 or a Provisional Use Permit at $1,000, depending on land use and shoreline designation. Permit holders must file an annual Vacation Rental Certificate of Compliance between October and December, at $145 online or $160 on paper.
The County caps permits per island, at 337 on San Juan Island, and is not accepting new applications under a moratorium. New entry is effectively blocked. Rentals are also barred on Natural and Conservancy shoreline, Agricultural and Forest Resource lands, and on Shaw and Waldron Islands, and are limited to a single detached house or accessory dwelling unit.
Within the Town of Friday Harbor, vacation rentals are prohibited on any parcel connected to the Town water system, which covers most of the incorporated town. The Town also adopted a 6-month moratorium on new transient accommodations on December 4, 2025. Buyers should confirm its current status with the Town.
Enforcement is active. The County monitors online listings, every advertisement must display the permit number, and operating or advertising an unpermitted rental carries a $2,300 penalty. Lodging is subject to a 4% special lodging excise tax plus Washington state and local sales tax. No annual night cap, owner-occupancy requirement, or primary-residence requirement applies. Confirm all rules with San Juan County and the Town before buying.
Market Comparison
Regional occupancy has improved over recent periods. Full-year 2025 occupancy was 55.5%, 2026 year-to-date occupancy is 59.3%, and September 2026 occupancy reached 62.6%.
Trend direction also favors the region. Occupancy is up 4.8%, ADR is up 6.4%, and revenue is up 6.5% year over year, while the 2026 year-to-date ADR of $269 is up from $251 for 2025. ADR has risen every year since 2019 except 2023, when it was flat at $232.
The seasonal profile is the main feature of this market. A single annual average hides the swing seen here, where July runs at 79.4% occupancy and January at 36.1%. An annual average describes neither season well.
The larger gap is regulatory. Most US markets allow new licenses, while Friday Harbor has a moratorium on new applications and island permit caps. Strong regional numbers mainly benefit existing permit holders. Operator names are tracked at a shared regional level rather than uniquely for Friday Harbor, so this profile omits them.
Frequently Asked Questions About Friday Harbor, Washington
Can I start a new short-term rental in Friday Harbor?
What are the average ADR and occupancy in the Friday Harbor area?
How much does a San Juan County vacation rental permit cost?
When is the best time of year for rentals in the Friday Harbor area?
What taxes apply to vacation rentals in Friday Harbor?
What is the typical home value in the Friday Harbor area?
How far ahead do guests book and how long do they stay?
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