Community Development

New STR Application Process

Brochures: English     Spanish

Applications for New Tier 2 and Tier 3 short-term rentals will be accepted annually for areas that have capacity within the cap limits. They will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications presented at the counter will not take precedence over those sent in electronically or via USPS. During the application window, department staff will accept applications and date/time stamp them in order of receipt so they may then be processed in that order. This applies to all methods of submission.

Again, please note, there is a limit to the number of Tier 2 and Tier 3 STRs allowed in Chelan County. Refer to Chelan County Code 11.88.290 for specific information.

A checklist of necessary items for submission is available to help you through the application process. To hand in a complete application, you will need to:

1. Complete a Short Term Rental Application
2. Submit a Property Management Plan with all additional required documentation with your application. See additional fire resources further down this page.
3. Good Neighbor Guidelines: English     Spanish
4. Check your onsite Sewage/Septic. If you are on septic, submit a copy with your application. If you are on sewer, submit a copy of the most recent bill for the STR address with your application.
5. Purchase Liability Insurance and submit a copy of at least the declarations page showing the liability coverage limit with your application showing you have a minimum of $1 million in liability insurance for the rental.
6. Complete any additional necessary land use permits (Do you also need a Conditional Use Permit for your project?)
7. Fire- STR Pre-Inspection Checklist  (please complete all pages).

Submission

Please do not submit your application prior to the application window start date for Tier 2 or Tier 3. We will not look at new STR applications before the opening date and we will return any received before the window opens. If you do choose to submit electronically, you can send them via email at CD.STR.applications@co.chelan.wa.us  This email address is for submissions only; do not send questions or they may go unanswered.

Have more question? Please check out the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section here.  If this doesn't answer your questions, please reach out to staff.

APPLICATION TIPS: If submitting electronically, each document being submitted needs to be saved separately in PDF format and named appropriately (Application, Property Management Plan, Septic Permit, etc.). Please attach all documents for your submittal individually to application. We cannot accept links to Google Docs or zip files. Neither electronic signatures nor photos of documents will be accepted.

If you would prefer, you can also submit your application in person or by mail to: Community Development- STR Dept., 316 Washington St., suite 301, Wenatchee, 98801. When received it will be added to those already submitted and will be reviewed in the order received.  While we cannot require the use of a tracked mailing service, they do offer you assurance your application was delivered if you choose to mail.

Once complete application materials have been submitted and fees paid, the Community Development STR staff will review. If all is approved, a short-term rental permit will be issued.  When you receive your final permit, a copy of the signed permit must be returned to the Department for your file.

Please note that due to the volume of permits handled, staff cannot respond to requests for where your permit is in line or when your permit process will be complete. We will do our best to achnowledge receipt of application emails. 

**The owner or operator must include the Chelan County STR permit number in all advertisements and ensure its prominent display on platforms and other forums for rental (AirBnB, VRBO, Craigslist, poster, etc.) and on marketing materials such as brochures and websites.**

 

STR Permit Renewal Process

~ Renewal Window for STR permits will be open September 1 - October 31

Renewals may be submitted in person, electronically, or via mail.  If mailing, we recommend sending them via a method that provides tracking. 

For the STR permit renewal process, you will need: 

1. Short Term Rental Application- filled out and marked for 'renewal'

2. STR Self-Certification Checklist for Fire Requirement

3. Photographic Proof of Sign or, if you have been granted a sign variance, proof of your annual mailings (copies of the registered mailing receipts with addresses of where sent and a copy of the letter).

4. When you receive your final permit, a copy of the signed permit must be returned to the Department for your file.

The only other forms required to be submitted with renewals are circumstantial:

DID ANY OF YOUR INFORMATION CHANGE DURING THE YEAR?  

Did you change your property management company or qualified person?

Did your septic get upgraded?

Did your contact information change?

If so, then you will need to submit updated Property Management Plan, Good Neighbor Guidelines, copies of new septic information, and possibly update your sign. Please make sure your mailing address is correct with the Assessor's Office as well. 

ARE YOU A NEW OWNER? 

If you are a new owner of a property that currently has a short-term rental permit, the permit may or may not be transferable depending on your specific situation. Please contact department staff to find out. If the permit is transferable, it must be transferred to the new owner's name within 30 days of closing and you will need to submit the following forms along with a request to transfer the permit:

• Property Management Plan
• Good Neighbor Guidelines
• Proof of $1 million in liability insurance for the rental property
• May require new sign if the qualified person/phone number changes and you will need to send in a photo of the new, posted sign.

Submission

Please do not submit your renewal application prior to the application window start date for Tier 2 or Tier 3. We will not look at new STR applications before the opening date and we will return any received before the window opens. If you do choose to submit electronically, you can send them via email at CD.STR.applications@co.chelan.wa.us  This email address is primarily for submissions; questions submitted here may have a delay in response. 

APPLICATION TIPS: If submitting electronically, each document being submitted needs to be saved separately in PDF format and named appropriately (Application, Property Management Plan, Septic Permit, etc.). Please attach all documents for your submittal individually to application. We cannot accept links to Google Docs or zip files. Neither electronic signatures nor photos of documents will be accepted.

If you would prefer, you can also submit your application in person or by mail to: Community Development- STR Dept., 316 Washington St., suite 301, Wenatchee, 98801. When received it will be added to those already submitted and will be reviewed in the order received.  While we cannot require the use of a tracked mailing service, they do offer you assurance your application was delivered if you choose to mail.

**The owner or operator must include the Chelan County STR permit number in all advertisements and ensure its prominent display on platforms and other forums for rental (AirBnB, VRBO, Craigslist, poster, etc.) and on marketing materials such as brochures and websites.**

Fire & Life Safety

All operators will need to fill out the appropriate Fire Inspection form and pay any associated fee.  The form required will depend on whether you are a new applicant and need an in-person inspection or if you a renewing and can fill out the self-inspection form. Each of these forms is included in the associated sections above. 

FIRE INSPECTIONS- The Fire Marshal's office will not perform the required inspection of your property for an STR before your application has been reviewed. Once STR staff had completed your review and if you are approved to continue in the process, they will inform the Fire Marshal's office your property is ready for inspection. That office will then reach out to you.

NEW  STR Fire & Life Safety Operational Application 

RENEWAL  STR Self-Inspection Checklist

SAMPLE Ready-Set-Go Pamphlet FMO

Firewise Information Pamphlet FMO

Additional Resources

For the permitting years of 2023 and beyond, annually by March 15, the director of Community Development will determine if new availability exists in a previously full zone. If so, a permit application window will be scheduled from June 1 to July 31 of that year to apply for the following years of 2023 and beyond. When/if this happens, applications will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications approved for permits from the 2023 application window will be for the 2024 operating year, applications approved for permits from the 2024 application window will be for the 2025 operating year and so forth. 

Forms are subject to change, please make sure you are using the most recent version when you apply.

Please use these additional resources when filling out your application:

• New Short-Term Rental Applicants for Chelan County Brochure
• Interesados en alquileres a corto plazo en el condado de Chelan
• Fee Schedule
• Checklist for parking
•  Checklist for UGAs

The Fire Prevention & Investigation office also offers Fire Resources for Short Term Rentals from their office

Good Neighbor Guidelines: The Chelan County Good Neighbor Guidelines serves to educate short-term rental owners, tenants and visitors about the importance of not only being a good guest but also the role we all play in keeping Chelan County an amazing place to live, work and play. The guidelines, which also includes a local contacts section, must be made available to guests in all short-term rentals. The guidelines are now available in English or Spanish. 

Scaled Survey: If a situation arises where there is question regarding property lines, boundaries, easements, setbacks, etc., the burden of proof is on the property owner to provide, at their expense, a scaled survey.

 

 

Posted: 09/17/2021 08:47 AM
Last Updated: 05/17/2023 09:07 AM