Is Sammamish, Washington Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Sammamish, Washington, begin by researching local regulations as Sammamish requires short-term rental operators to obtain a business license and comply with zoning restrictions that typically limit rentals to single-family residential zones with owner occupancy requirements. Contact Sammamish City Hall at (425) 295-0500 to obtain the necessary short-term rental permit, which costs approximately $200-300 annually and requires proof of liability insurance (minimum $1 million), fire safety compliance, and neighbor notification. Find a suitable property in residential zones like Pine Lake, Beaver Lake, or Sahalee areas where short-term rentals are permitted, ensuring it meets the city's requirement that the property be your primary residence if operating under current regulations. Furnish the space with quality furniture from retailers like IKEA, West Elm, or local Seattle suppliers, focusing on comfortable bedding, essential appliances, WiFi, and safety equipment including smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms as required by King County health codes. Create your listing on Airbnb with professional photography highlighting Sammamish's proximity to Microsoft, Amazon, and outdoor recreation at Sammamish State Park, pricing competitively around $150-250 per night based on 2024 market rates. Manage your property by establishing check-in procedures, maintaining cleanliness standards, responding promptly to guests, and ensuring compliance with Sammamish's noise ordinances and parking restrictions while keeping detailed records for the required annual reporting to the city and tax obligations to Washington State Department of Revenue.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Sammamish, Washington, focus on locations within walking distance of Lake Sammamish State Park, near hiking trails like the East Lake Sammamish Trail, or properties with lake views and proximity to downtown Redmond and Bellevue for tech worker demand. Target 3-4 bedroom single-family homes or townhomes built after 1990 with modern amenities, outdoor spaces, parking, and high-speed internet, as these appeal to families and business travelers visiting Microsoft, Amazon, and other Eastside companies. Conduct pricing analysis using AirDNA and Mashvisor to identify properties generating $150-250 per night with 65-75% occupancy rates, focusing on homes priced between $800K-1.5M that can generate 8-12% annual returns. Research competition by analyzing similar properties within 3-mile radius on Airbnb and VRBO, noting their pricing, amenities, and booking patterns, while checking Sammamish municipal code 21A.08.040 for STR regulations and HOA restrictions. Utilize tools like Rabbu, BiggerPockets calculators, and local MLS data through Redfin or Zillow, while partnering with Sammamish-based real estate agents familiar with investment properties and connecting with local STR management companies like RedAwning or Vacasa for market insights and operational support.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Sammamish, Washington, you must first contact the City of Sammamish Community Development Department at City Hall located at 801 228th Avenue SE, as the city requires short-term rental operators to obtain a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) and business license. Required documents typically include a completed CUP application, site plan showing parking and access, proof of property ownership or authorization letter from owner, floor plans indicating maximum occupancy, waste management plan, and neighborhood notification materials. The application fee is approximately $2,500-$3,500 for the CUP process, plus an additional $150-$200 for the business license, with potential additional fees for public hearings if required. The timeline generally takes 4-6 months due to the public review process, including a 21-day public comment period and potential Planning Commission hearing. Sammamish-specific requirements include limiting occupancy to 2 guests per bedroom plus 2 additional guests (maximum 10 total), providing adequate off-street parking (typically 1 space per bedroom), maintaining a local contact person available 24/7 within 30 minutes of the property, implementing noise control measures, and ensuring compliance with residential neighborhood character standards. The property must also meet all building, fire, and health codes, and operators must collect and remit applicable taxes to both the city and state.

Short-term rentals (STRs) are currently prohibited in Sammamish, Washington, as the city enacted a comprehensive ban on STRs in residential zones in 2019 following community concerns about neighborhood character and housing availability. The city's municipal code specifically prohibits the use of residential properties for transient accommodations of less than 30 days, with violations subject to code enforcement actions and fines. This ban applies to all residential zoning districts throughout Sammamish, including single-family and multifamily areas, effectively making platforms like Airbnb and VRBO illegal for residential properties. The restriction was implemented after the city observed increasing STR activity that residents felt was incompatible with the suburban residential character of their neighborhoods, and there have been no recent changes to relax these prohibitions, with the city maintaining its stance that STRs should be limited to commercially zoned areas only.

The most promising Airbnb investment areas in Sammamish, Washington include the Klahanie neighborhood, which offers proximity to Microsoft and Amazon campuses making it ideal for business travelers and tech workers on extended assignments, with properties typically generating $150-200 per night. The Eastmont area near Beaver Lake Park attracts families and outdoor enthusiasts year-round, particularly during summer months when lake activities peak, with average nightly rates of $120-180. Pine Lake neighborhoods benefit from waterfront appeal and easy access to Issaquah's outlets and hiking trails, drawing weekend tourists and corporate retreats, commanding $140-220 per night depending on lake views. The Trossachs area offers luxury properties that appeal to high-end business travelers visiting nearby tech companies, with rates reaching $200-300 per night. Sammamish Commons vicinity provides convenient access to shopping and dining while maintaining the suburban appeal that attracts families visiting the region, typically earning $130-190 nightly, with peak demand during Microsoft and Amazon recruiting seasons, local school events, and summer outdoor recreation periods.

In Sammamish, Washington, Airbnb hosts are subject to multiple lodging and occupancy taxes including Washington State's 6.5% sales tax, King County's 2.5% lodging tax, and potentially a local Sammamish business tax. The Washington State Department of Revenue requires hosts to register for a business license and collect the 6.5% state sales tax on all short-term rental bookings, with monthly remittance due by the 25th of the following month for hosts earning over $1,200 annually. King County imposes an additional 2.5% lodging tax on stays under 30 days, collected through the same registration system, with quarterly remittance required. Sammamish may require a local business license with associated fees ranging from $50-200 annually depending on rental income. Airbnb automatically collects and remits state and county taxes for participating hosts through their platform since approximately 2017, though hosts remain ultimately responsible for compliance. Exemptions typically apply to stays of 30 days or longer, which are considered long-term rentals rather than transient accommodations, and some jurisdictions exempt rentals of the host's primary residence for fewer than 14 days per year, though this varies by local ordinance and hosts should verify current requirements with the Washington State Department of Revenue and King County.

To start an Airbnb in Sammamish, Washington, expect total costs of approximately $1,150,000-$1,350,000. Property purchase represents the largest expense at $1,000,000-$1,200,000 based on median home prices in this affluent Seattle suburb. Furnishing costs range $25,000-$40,000 for quality furniture, bedding, kitchen essentials, and decor to create an attractive rental space. Initial setup including professional photography, listing creation, and marketing materials costs $2,000-$3,500. Permits and fees total $1,500-$2,500, covering business licenses, short-term rental permits, and potential HOA approvals. Insurance including landlord and short-term rental coverage adds $3,000-$5,000 annually. Utilities including electricity, gas, water, internet, and cable average $400-$600 monthly or $2,400-$3,600 for six months. First six months operating costs including cleaning services, maintenance, supplies, platform fees, and vacancy periods total $8,000-$12,000. Property taxes and mortgage payments would add significantly to ongoing costs, with property taxes alone averaging $12,000-$15,000 annually in King County.

Airbnb properties in Sammamish, Washington demonstrate strong profitability potential with average nightly rates ranging from $150-300 for typical 3-4 bedroom homes, generating monthly revenues of $3,000-6,000 during peak seasons (May-September) and $1,800-3,500 during off-peak periods. Operating expenses typically include 25-30% for Airbnb fees and taxes, $200-400 monthly for cleaning services, $150-250 for utilities, $100-200 for maintenance and supplies, and $300-500 for property management if outsourced, resulting in net profit margins of 35-45% for well-managed properties. Success factors include proximity to Microsoft and tech companies (driving corporate travel demand), scenic lake and mountain views, modern amenities like hot tubs and game rooms, and professional photography showcasing the Pacific Northwest setting. A case study of a 4-bedroom lakefront property near Beaver Lake achieved 75% occupancy rates in 2023, generating $65,000 annual revenue with $38,000 in expenses, yielding a 41% profit margin, while another 3-bedroom home near downtown Sammamish averaged $4,200 monthly revenue with 68% occupancy, demonstrating the market's strength driven by Seattle's proximity, outdoor recreation access, and limited hotel inventory in the area.

Based on Sammamish, Washington market conditions, Airbnb investments typically generate annual ROI of 8-12% with cash-on-cash returns ranging from 6-10% depending on property type and location within the city. Properties near popular attractions like Beaver Lake Park or with views of the Cascade Mountains tend to perform at the higher end of this range. Initial profitability usually occurs within 18-24 months, with average daily rates of $150-250 for well-appointed properties during peak seasons (summer months and holiday periods). The market benefits from proximity to Seattle tech companies like Microsoft and Amazon, driving consistent business travel demand, while recreational visitors are drawn to the area's hiking trails and lake activities. Investment properties in desirable neighborhoods like Pine Lake or Beaver Lake typically require initial investments of $600,000-900,000, with annual gross revenues of $35,000-65,000 after accounting for occupancy rates of 65-75% and seasonal fluctuations.

STRSearch is a national platform that specializes in identifying profitable short-term rental properties for investors looking in Sammamish, Washington. Local real estate agents like those at Windermere Real Estate and John L. Scott have extensive knowledge of the Sammamish market and can identify properties with strong Airbnb potential, particularly in neighborhoods near Beaver Lake and Pine Lake. Mashvisor and AirDNA provide data analytics services to help investors analyze rental performance and occupancy rates in the Sammamish area. BiggerPockets connects investors with local experts familiar with King County regulations and zoning laws affecting short-term rentals. Awning and RedAwning offer property management services specifically for Airbnb investments in the Seattle metro area including Sammamish. Local property management companies like Seattle Oasis Vacation Rentals and Vacasa have expanded their services to the Eastside suburbs and can help manage Airbnb properties while maximizing returns. Real estate investment firms such as Roofstock and Arrived Homes occasionally feature properties in the Sammamish market suitable for short-term rental conversion, and local mortgage brokers like Movement Mortgage and Caliber Home Loans offer specialized financing for investment properties in Washington state.