HomeMy WebLinkAbout4847 Ordinance - Short Term Rental Ordinance Amending PMCOrdinance – Creating PMC 5.120- 1
Version 3.6.2026
{DPK4900‐1446‐5720;1/13206.000004/}
ORDINANCE NO. 4847
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PASCO, WASHINGTON,
CREATING PASCO MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 5.120 SHORT-TERM
RENTALS TO ESTABLISH A CLEAR REGULATORY FRAMEWORK FOR
SHORT-TERM RENTAL OPERATIONS WITHIN THE CITY OF PASCO;
PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY AND ESTABLISHING AN EFFECTIVE
DATE.
WHEREAS, short-term rentals can provide additional lodging opportunities for visitors,
temporary workers, and families visiting the Tri-Cities region; and
WHEREAS, property owners should have reasonable opportunities to utilize their
property while protecting neighborhood character; and
WHEREAS, a licensing and enforcement program can provide accountability and
compliance with local and state laws; and
WHEREAS, appropriate regulations are necessary to protect public safety, housing
availability, and residential quality of life.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PASCO,
WASHINGTON DO ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Purpose. The purpose of this Ordinance is to establish a clear regulatory
framework for short-term rentals operating within the City of Pasco.
Section 2. Chapter. PMC 5.120 Short Term Rentals is hereby adopted and shall read as
follows:
Chapter 5.120
Short-Term Rentals
Sections:
5.120.010. Intent.
5.120.020. Applicability.
5.120.030. Short-term rental.
5.120.040. Notice, approval, and/or denial of short-term rental business licenses.
Ordinance – Creating PMC 5.120- 2
Version 3.6.2026
{DPK4900‐1446‐5720;1/13206.000004/}
5.120.050. Suspension or revocation procedure.
5.120.060. Penalties.
5.120.010. Intent.
It is the intent of this chapter to recognize the desire of some property owners to
rent their dwelling on a short-term basis and establish appropriate regulations to
mitigate the disruption that short-term rentals may have on a neighborhood. This
purpose and intent shall govern the interpretation of the entire chapter.
5.120.020. 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.
"Short-term rental" means a legally established dwelling unit, accessory apartment,
or portion thereof that is offered as a rental to guests for fewer than thirty
consecutive nights.
5.120.030. 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 Pasco business license.
A. Short-term rental permit application procedure.
1. 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.
2. 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
Ordinance – Creating PMC 5.120- 3
Version 3.6.2026
{DPK4900‐1446‐5720;1/13206.000004/}
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 Chapter 5.120.030.E.
4. Written description of the proposed location for the short-term rental
operation.
5. A completed Good Neighbor Policy form.
6. Short-term rental permit fee as established by resolution of the City
of Pasco City Council.
C. Criteria for short-term rental permit approval.
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.
3. The proposed short-term rental is located within zoning districts
where short-term rentals are allowed.
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 affidavit 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 5.120.040 have been
met.
E. The following conditions of approval apply to permits for short-term rentals:
1. Local Property Representative. The property owner must designate
a local property representative who shall be available 24 hours per
day, seven days per week, for the purpose of: (a) responding within
one hour to complaints regarding the condition, operation, or
conduct of occupants of the short-term rental; and (b) taking
remedial action to resolve any such complaints. The name,
Ordinance – Creating PMC 5.120- 4
Version 3.6.2026
{DPK4900‐1446‐5720;1/13206.000004/}
address, and telephone number of the property owner and the local
property representative shall be kept on file at the city. The failure
to provide the contact information, failure to keep the contact
information current, failure to respond in a timely manner to
complaints, or the occurrence of repeated complaints may result in
the suspension or revocation of approval and/or civil or criminal
penalties.
2. Occupancy. Maximum occupancy of the rental shall be based on
the International Building Code standards. The property owner
shall be responsible for ensuring that the dwelling unit is in
conformance with its maximum occupancy.
3. Restrictions on Use. A renter may not use a short-term rental for a
purpose not incidental to its use for lodging or sleeping purposes.
This restriction includes using the rental for a wedding, banquet,
reception, bachelor or bachelorette party, concert, fundraiser,
sponsored event, or any similar group activity.
4. Signage. No outdoor advertising signs related to the rental
dwelling shall be allowed on the site.
5. Informational Packet. A packet of information shall be provided to
renters in advance of arrival and posted conspicuously in the
common area of the short-term rental during each stay
summarizing guidelines and restrictions applicable to the short-
term rental use, including:
a. Information on maximum occupancy;
b. Applicable noise and use restrictions;
c. Contact information for the local property
representative;
d. The renter's responsibility not to trespass on private
property or to create disturbances; and
e. Notification that the renter is responsible for
complying with this chapter and that the renter may
be cited or fined by the city for violating any
provisions of this chapter.
6. Insurance. The property owner shall maintain primary
liability insurance to cover the short-term rental in the
aggregate of not less than one million dollars or conduct
each short-term rental transaction through a platform that
provides equal or greater primary liability insurance
coverage as required by RCW 64.37.050. Such insurance
Ordinance – Creating PMC 5.120- 5
Version 3.6.2026
{DPK4900‐1446‐5720;1/13206.000004/}
requirements shall track the required levels of RCW
64.37.050 as those may change. The property owner shall
keep on file at the city an up-to-date certificate of insurance
documenting compliance with the required levels of
insurance.
7.Inspection. The property owner or his/her designee shall
maintain on file at the city an up-to-date certificate of
inspection documenting that the dwelling complies with the
provisions for transient accommodation in the International
Building Code as adopted by the city and shall obtain an
appropriate certificate of occupancy. The property owner or
his/her designee shall complete a self-inspection checklist
provided by the City. A copy of the completed and signed
checklist must be submitted to the City as part of the permit
renewal.
8.Compliance with City Ordinances. All short-term rentals
must comply with all applicable city codes and ordinances,
including, but not limited to, PMC Chapter 9.130, Noise
Regulation, and PMC Chapter 9.90, Public Nuisances.
F.Effective Date and Expiration. A short-term rental permit shall be effective for
one year and shall expire on the date established by the master license service.
5.120.040. Notice, approval, and/or denial of short-term rental permit
Short-term renal permit applications shall be made to the Community & Economic
Development Department, where the department Director or authorized designee may
issue a permit, deny a permit, or set conditions, limitations or restrictions that must be met
before a permit may be granted. The procedures for the approval and denial of a short-
term rental permit, and for the appeal of a short-term rental permit decision, shall apply as
established in PMC 5.05.030. Applicants that do not comply with the conditions of
approval as established in PMC 5.120.030.E shall be denied a short-term rental permit or
renewal of a short-term rental permit.
The denial of any permit or the imposition of any conditions, limitations or restrictions
incident to the granting of a permit shall be based solely upon those requirements
reasonably necessary to protect the peace, health, safety and welfare of those both using
and living near the short-term rental.
5.120.050. Suspension or revocation procedure.
If the City Manager has reasonable cause to believe that any of the conditions imposed
upon a short-term rental business under this chapter have been violated, the City Manager
shall follow the procedures established in PMC 5.05.140 to revoke or suspend the short-
term rental permit.
{DPK4900‐1446‐5720;1/13206.000004/}
5.20.060. Penalties.
Any person violating any provision of this chapter shall be subject to the enforcement
procedures, remedies, and the civil and criminal penalties provided in PMC 3.35.070.
Section 4. Severability. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or word
of this ordinance should be held to the invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent
jurisdiction, such invalidity or unconstitutionality thereof shall not affect the validity or
constitutionality of any other section, subsection, sentence, clause phrase or word of this ordinance.
Section 5. Corrections. Upon approval by the city attorney, the city clerk or the code
reviser are authorized to make necessary corrections to this ordinance, including scrivener’s errors
or clerical mistakes; reference to other local, state, or federal laws, rules, or regulations; or
numbering or referencing of ordinances or their sections and subsections.
Section 6. Effective Date. This ordinance shall take full force and effect January 1,
2027 after approval, passage and publication as required by law.
PASSED by the City Council of the City of Pasco, Washington this 6th day of July,
2026.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
___________________________
Ogden Murphy Wallace, PLLC
City Attorney
Charles Grimm
Mayor
ATTEST:
_____________________________
Gabriela Sanchez, City Clerk
Published: July 12, 2026
Ordinance – Creating PMC 5.120- 6
Version 3.6.2026