Is Stevens Pass, Washington Good for Airbnb Investment?

To start an Airbnb in Stevens Pass, Washington, begin by researching Chelan County's short-term rental regulations, which typically require a conditional use permit and business license, with properties needing to meet fire safety codes and septic system requirements for rural areas. Contact Chelan County Planning Department to obtain the necessary Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for short-term rentals, which costs approximately $1,500-2,500 and requires neighbor notification and potential public hearings. Find a suitable property within 30 minutes of Stevens Pass Ski Area, focusing on cabins or mountain homes with 2-4 bedrooms priced between $400,000-800,000, considering proximity to Highway 2 for guest accessibility and year-round road maintenance. Furnish the property with durable, mountain-appropriate furniture including quality bedding for 6-8 guests, a fully equipped kitchen, outdoor gear storage, hot tub if budget allows, and reliable heating systems for winter conditions, budgeting $25,000-40,000 for complete furnishing. List your property on Airbnb, VRBO, and local platforms like Visit Leavenworth, highlighting ski access, hiking trails, and seasonal activities while pricing competitively at $200-400 per night depending on season and amenities. Manage the property by establishing relationships with local cleaning services in Leavenworth or Skykomish, installing keyless entry systems, providing 24/7 guest communication, maintaining emergency contacts for power outages or road closures, and ensuring compliance with Chelan County's occupancy limits and noise ordinances while building relationships with neighbors in this tight-knit mountain community.

To identify profitable short-term rental properties in Stevens Pass, Washington, focus on locations within 10-15 minutes of the ski resort base with year-round accessibility, as properties closer to Stevens Pass Ski Area command premium rates during winter months (December-March) averaging $200-400 per night. Target 3-4 bedroom cabins or chalets with mountain views, hot tubs, fireplaces, and ski storage that can accommodate 6-10 guests, as these features justify higher nightly rates and attract both winter skiers and summer hikers accessing the Pacific Crest Trail. Analyze pricing using AirDNA and Mashvisor to benchmark against comparable properties, noting that successful STRs in this market typically achieve 60-70% occupancy rates with average daily rates of $180-250 depending on season and amenities. Research competition by monitoring listings within a 5-mile radius on Airbnb and VRBO, paying attention to booking calendars, review patterns, and pricing strategies of top-performing properties. Utilize tools like Rabbu for market analysis, STR Helper for revenue projections, and local resources including King County permit requirements, as Stevens Pass falls under county jurisdiction requiring business licenses and potentially triggering tax obligations, while also monitoring Forest Service regulations that may affect nearby property development and access routes.

To obtain an Airbnb/STR permit in Stevens Pass, Washington, you must apply through Chelan County since Stevens Pass falls under their jurisdiction. Start by contacting the Chelan County Community Development Department at 316 Washington Street, Wenatchee, WA 98801 or call (509) 667-6225. Required documents typically include a completed short-term rental application, property deed or lease agreement, floor plan showing maximum occupancy, septic system approval if applicable, parking plan showing adequate spaces, emergency contact information, and proof of liability insurance with minimum $1 million coverage. You'll need to pay an initial application fee of approximately $200-300 plus an annual renewal fee of around $150-200. The approval process generally takes 4-6 weeks after submitting a complete application. Specific Stevens Pass requirements include compliance with snow load building codes due to heavy snowfall, adequate parking for guests without blocking emergency access, proper waste management plans for remote location, septic system capacity verification, and adherence to fire safety requirements including accessible emergency exits during winter months. Properties must also meet maximum occupancy limits based on septic capacity and parking availability, typically 2 people per bedroom plus 2 additional guests maximum.

Short-term rentals (STRs) in Stevens Pass, Washington operate under King County regulations since the area is unincorporated, where STRs are generally permitted but subject to specific licensing requirements, occupancy limits, parking provisions, and noise restrictions. King County requires STR operators to obtain a business license, limit occupancy to no more than 16 guests, provide adequate parking, and comply with health and safety standards including septic system capacity requirements which are particularly relevant in the mountainous Stevens Pass area. The county prohibits STRs in certain residential zones and requires operators to designate a local contact person available 24/7 for issues, with violations subject to fines up to $1,000 per day. Recent changes in 2022-2023 have strengthened enforcement mechanisms and increased penalties for non-compliance, while maintaining the general permissibility of STRs in most areas around Stevens Pass, though operators must navigate both county regulations and any additional homeowners association restrictions that may apply in specific developments near the ski area.

The best areas for Airbnb investment near Stevens Pass, Washington include the town of Leavenworth (15 miles east), which attracts year-round tourists with its Bavarian-themed village, Oktoberfest celebrations, Christmas lighting festival, and proximity to outdoor recreation, generating strong occupancy rates of 65-75% annually. Skykomish, located directly at the base of Stevens Pass, offers prime access to the ski resort and hiking trails, appealing to winter sports enthusiasts and summer hikers, though seasonal demand fluctuates significantly. The Coles Corner and Scenic areas along Highway 2 provide convenient stopping points for travelers heading to and from Seattle, capturing both recreational visitors and those seeking mountain retreats within 90 minutes of the city. Lake Wenatchee area, about 20 miles from Stevens Pass, combines lake activities with mountain access, attracting families and groups for extended stays during summer months and winter recreation, with properties typically achieving 60-70% occupancy. Index and Gold Bar, while further from the pass, offer more affordable entry points with growing popularity among outdoor enthusiasts seeking authentic mountain experiences, though these markets are still developing compared to established destinations like Leavenworth.

Airbnb properties in Stevens Pass, Washington are subject to multiple lodging taxes including Washington State's 6.5% sales tax and additional local accommodation taxes. King County imposes a 2.8% lodging tax, while Snohomish County charges a 2% hotel/motel tax, depending on the exact location within the Stevens Pass area. The Washington State Department of Revenue requires hosts to register for a business license and collect these taxes from guests, with monthly remittance due by the 25th of the following month for properties with regular bookings. Airbnb can collect and remit state and local taxes on behalf of hosts through their platform since 2018, though hosts remain ultimately responsible for compliance. Properties rented for fewer than 30 days are generally subject to all applicable lodging taxes, while stays of 30 days or longer may be exempt from certain accommodation taxes but still subject to regular sales tax. Additional municipal taxes may apply depending on whether the property falls within specific city limits, and hosts should verify their exact tax obligations with local jurisdictions as rates can vary between 10-15% total when combining all applicable state, county, and local lodging taxes.

The total cost to start an Airbnb in Stevens Pass, Washington would be approximately $850,000-$950,000. Property purchase represents the largest expense at $750,000-$850,000 for a median-priced mountain cabin or chalet suitable for short-term rentals in this ski area location. Furnishing costs would run $25,000-$35,000 to create an attractive, fully-equipped rental with quality furniture, appliances, linens, and ski lodge décor. Initial setup including professional photography, listing creation, and marketing materials would cost $2,000-$3,000. Permits and fees including business license, short-term rental permit, and county registration would total approximately $1,500-$2,500. Insurance for short-term rental coverage would cost $3,000-$4,000 annually. Utility setup and deposits for electricity, water, sewer, internet, and propane would require $1,500-$2,000. First six months of operating costs including utilities ($1,200/month), cleaning services ($150 per turnover), property management fees if used (20-30% of revenue), maintenance reserves, and supplies would total approximately $15,000-$20,000, assuming moderate occupancy rates during the startup period.

Airbnb properties in Stevens Pass, Washington, typically generate strong seasonal profitability with average nightly rates ranging from $150-300 during peak ski season (December-March) and $80-150 during summer months, resulting in annual gross revenues of $25,000-45,000 for well-managed properties. Operating expenses generally consume 40-60% of gross revenue, including cleaning fees ($75-100 per turnover), property management (15-25% of revenue), utilities ($200-400 monthly), insurance ($1,500-3,000 annually), and maintenance costs averaging $3,000-5,000 yearly. Net profit margins typically range from 15-35%, with successful properties achieving $8,000-18,000 in annual net income. Key success factors include proximity to Stevens Pass Resort (properties within 10 miles command premium rates), hot tubs or mountain views (increasing bookings by 20-30%), professional photography and listing optimization, and responsive guest communication. Properties like ski chalets in Skykomish or cabins near the Cascade Loop have reported occupancy rates of 65-80% during peak seasons, while summer hiking and outdoor recreation drive 40-55% occupancy in off-peak months, with the most profitable properties being 2-4 bedroom mountain homes purchased for $300,000-600,000 that leverage both winter sports tourism and summer outdoor recreation demand.

Airbnb investments in Stevens Pass, Washington typically generate annual ROI of 12-18% due to strong ski season demand from December through March and summer hiking traffic. Cash-on-cash returns range from 8-14% annually, with properties averaging $180-280 per night during peak ski season and $120-180 during summer months. A typical $400,000-600,000 cabin investment with 25% down payment can achieve profitability within 18-24 months, assuming 60-75% annual occupancy rates. Properties within 10 miles of Stevens Pass Ski Area command premium rates, with investors like Vacasa and RedAwning reporting stronger performance for well-appointed 3-4 bedroom cabins. The market benefits from Seattle's proximity (90 minutes) and limited hotel inventory, though investors should factor in seasonal maintenance costs and Washington's 8.5% lodging tax when calculating returns.

STRSearch is a national platform that specializes in identifying profitable short-term rental properties for investors, including in the Stevens Pass, Washington area. Local real estate agents who focus on investment properties in the region include Windermere Real Estate and John L. Scott Real Estate, both of which have agents experienced in vacation rental markets around ski areas. Vacasa, founded in 2009, provides property management services and also helps investors identify and acquire profitable Airbnb properties in mountain resort areas like Stevens Pass. RedAwning offers both property management and acquisition consulting for short-term rental investors in Washington state. AirDNA provides market data and analytics specifically for Airbnb investments and covers the Stevens Pass market area. Mashvisor is a national real estate investment platform that includes short-term rental analysis tools for Washington properties. Local property management companies like Alpine Property Management and Cascade Vacation Rentals, established around 2015-2018, often assist investors in both finding and managing profitable vacation rental properties in the Stevens Pass corridor.