Short-term rental rules at Lake Chelan
Short-term rental (STR) means renting nightly for under 30 days. The City of Chelan and Chelan County regulate it separately. Check the one that covers the address.
City of Chelan
The City requires a short-term rental license. Its page lists an initial license fee of $600 per unit and a $300 annual renewal, with health and safety inspections, excise tax reporting (needs a state UBI number), parking and occupancy limits, and a $1,000,000 liability insurance requirement. Licenses transfer on sale only within 60 days of closing, with a $300 fee. City of Chelan STR page.
Chelan County (outside the city)
The County uses three tiers: Tier 1 owner-occupied (max 8 overnight), Tier 2 not owner-occupied (max 12), Tier 3 (max 16). New Tier 2 and Tier 3 permits are accepted only where there is room under area caps, first come first served. The 2025 code update added parking rules, late-renewal fees and an in-person fire inspection every other year. Operators need a local contact who can respond within 60 minutes, 24/7. County STR page · New applicants.