Quincy, Washington

Short-term rentals are legal in Quincy but require a city Short-Term Rental Permit before any listing or rental activity begins, under Quincy Municipal Code Chapter 20.62, revised March 2024. The code creates two permit types: Type 1 for renting a room or accessory unit while the owner or a long-term resident occupies the primary residence, and Type 2 for renting an entire dwelling with no owner or resident present. Because Type 2 exists, whole-home, non-owner-occupied STRs are allowed, and there is no primary-residence mandate.

Each permit covers a single dwelling unit, and every property must name a designated caretaker, owner, property manager, or other responsible party, living within a 45-minute drive, with notarized consent on file. Citywide, the number of STR permits is capped at 1% of Quincy’s total housing units, based on the state’s annual housing estimate set by September 30 each year, so permit availability can be limited.

Permits expire January 31 of the year after issuance; renewals may be filed starting November 1 and should be submitted by January 2 to avoid a lapse. On taxes, guests pay Washington state and local sales tax of about 8.2% plus a special hotel and motel lodging excise tax of up to 2% via Grant County, for a combined lodging tax burden of roughly 10.2%.

Enforcement is rated moderate: operating without a permit triggers a written notice requiring an application and cessation of rental activity within five days, while a property deemed a nuisance can have its permit revoked immediately.