City of Cle Elum

Heart of the Cascades

  • View or Pay Bill
  • Report an Issue
  • City Services
    • Airport
    • Administrative Services
    • Building Department
      • Building Code
      • Permit Reports
      • Forms and Applications
      • Building Permit Fees
      • Policies
      • Design Criteria
    • Business Licenses
      • Business License Fees
      • Forms and Applications
    • Cemetery
      • Cemetery Pricing
    • Finance
    • Fire Department
    • Library
      • Friends of the Library
      • Carpenter Library Website
    • Planning Department
      • Recent Planning News
      • Comprehensive Plan
      • Updated Shoreline Master Program
      • Planning Rates Fees and Charges
      • Planning Commission
      • Forms and Applications
    • Police
      • About the Police Department
      • Animal Impound
      • Community Events
      • Property
      • Records
      • Winter Parking
    • Public Works
      • Streets
      • Wastewater Treatment Plant
      • Water Treatment Plant
    • Utilities
      • Rates
      • Installation Fees
      • Forms and Applications
      • Garbage
  • Public Notices
  • City Government
    • Boards / Commissions
      • Civil Service
      • Coal Mines Trail
      • Planning
        • Meeting Agendas and Minutes
      • Historic Preservation
      • Friends of the Library
    • City Council
      • Agenda and Minutes
      • Interlocal Agreements
    • Mayor’s Office
      • Message from Mayor Jay McGowan
      • Proclamations of the Mayor
  • Parks
    • Centennial Park
    • City Park
    • Hanson Ponds Disc Golf Course
    • Fireman’s Park
    • Flag Pole Park
    • Memorial Park
    • Howard Carlin Memorial Trailhead Park
    • Hanson Ponds Park
    • Miller-Guzzie Park
  • LIVE STREAM
  • Facebook

Short-Term Rentals

SHORT-TERM RENTAL REGULATIONS

The Cle Elum City Council and Planning Commission established regulations for short-term rental housing within the City of Cle Elum in 2021 with the passing of CEMC 17.160 (Ordinance 1601). These regulations allow for an unlimited number of short-term rentals in commercial zones and a limited number of permits to be issued in residential zones, based upon specific spacing requirements prescribed by CEMC 17.160 (Ordinance 1601).

EXISTING SHORT-TERM RENTALS

Cle Elum’s short-term rentals within residential districts are required to be spaced at least 250 feet between property boundaries. The Cle Elum public map portal provides a short-term rental layer (existing short-term rentals) and a measuring tool for applicants to determine whether their property is eligible for a short-term rental permit (map instructions).

NEW SHORT-TERM RENTAL PERMITS

Applying for a Short-Term Rental

  • Each proposed short-term rental must submit a separate application package and each owner/host is limited to owning and operating a maximum of three short-term rentals.
  • The planning department will review and issue all short-term rental applications.
  • The building department will review all short-term rentals for building and fire safety before a short-term rental permit is issued. The applicant will be notified during the short-term rental review process when they will need to complete a building permit application form. Once the building department inspection is complete, the planning department will issue the short-term rental permit.

Annual Renewal Process

  • Short-term rental permit applications may be submitted at any time. However, the permit term shall be on a calendar-year basis (January – December), and permit fees are not prorated. The renewal date is December 15 annually.
  • Renewal applications must be received prior to December 15 of each calendar year or new permit application and the full permit fee will be required. Applications are processed in the order they are received.

Short-Term Rental Termination

  • Please submit notifications for short-term rental terminations on the annual renewal form, highlighting the changes.

Fees

  • The initial permit fees and renewal permit fees are established by the Fee Schedule by resolution of City Council.
  • A short-term rental permit fee is $900.00 ($780 permit; $120 licensing/processing)
  • Applicants are also required to acquire a City business license.

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS

  • Short-Term Rental Code CEMC 17.160
  • Short-Term Rental Ordinance (ORD 1601)
  • Short-Term Rental Application:
    • Pdf Application
    • Word Application
  • Short-Term Rental Annual Renewal Form
    • Pdf Renewal Application
    • Word Renewal Application
  • Building Permit Application (do not complete until requested)
    • Inspection Checklist

 CITY CONTACT

Planning Department
planning@cleelum.gov
509-674-2262 x110

QUICK LINKS:

  • City Budget
  • City Fees & Rates
  • Cle Elum Municipal Code
  • Forms and Applications
  • Community Links
  • Employment Opportunities