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File #: AM No. 25-194   
Type: Consent Item Status: Passed
File created: 8/26/2025 In control: City Council
On agenda: 12/2/2025 Final action: 12/2/2025
Title: Adoption of an Ordinance for the Short-Term Rental Code Update a. Ordinance No. 3239: An Ordinance of the City of Redmond, Washington, Amending the Redmond Municipal Code, Chapter 5.04 General Business Regulations, for Conformance with State Legislation, to Clarify Communication and Transparency Standards, and to Establish Business Licensing Requirements for Short-Term Rental Business Operations, Providing for Severability and Establishing an Effective Date
Attachments: 1. Agenda Memo, 2. Attachment A: Ordinance RMC 5_04, 3. Attachment B: Lodging Tax Advisory Committee July 9, 2025 Meeting Minutes DRAFT, 4. Attachment C: Short Term Rental Lets Connect Engagement Report August 6, 2025, 5. Attachment D: July 21, 2025 Community Meeting Discussion Notes, 6. Attachment E: Comments Received by Email, 7. Attachment F: City Council Issues Matrix, Final, 8. Attachment G: October 28, 2025 Study Session Presentation, 9. Attachment H: Staff Report Short Term Rental Updates, 10. Attachment H, Exhibit 1: Recommended Amendments to RMC Chapter 5.pdf, 11. Attachment H, Exhibit 2: Short Term Rental Guide
TO: Members of the City Council
FROM: Mayor Angela Birney
DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR CONTACT(S):
Planning and Community Development
Carol Helland
425-556-2107
Finance
Kelley Cochran
425-556-2748

DEPARTMENT STAFF:
Planning and Community Development
Seraphie Allen
Deputy Director
Planning and Community Development
Philly Marsh
Economic Development Manager
Planning and Community Development
Kimberly Dietz
Principal Planner
Finance
Denise Shinoda
Business Licensing Program Coordinator


TITLE:
title
Adoption of an Ordinance for the Short-Term Rental Code Update

a. Ordinance No. 3239: An Ordinance of the City of Redmond, Washington, Amending the Redmond Municipal Code, Chapter 5.04 General Business Regulations, for Conformance with State Legislation, to Clarify Communication and Transparency Standards, and to Establish Business Licensing Requirements for Short-Term Rental Business Operations, Providing for Severability and Establishing an Effective Date


OVERVIEW STATEMENT:
recommendation
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the enclosed ordinance, Attachment A, regarding amendments to the Redmond Municipal Code Chapter 5.04 General Business Regulations concerning short-term rentals code and standard operating procedures.

RMC 5.04.130 identifies a threshold of five rental units, including both short-term and long-term rentals, for warranting a business license. However, short-term and long-term rentals are not defined within the chapter. Cities and counties are also authorized to implement chapter 64.37 RCW: Short-Term Rentals concerning violations of section 64.37.030 Consumer Safety. This requirement is not referenced, and its implementation is not defined by RMC 5.04 General Business Regulations.

The ordinance reflects staff's recommends amendments to RMC 5.04 General Business Regulations to provide the following:
* Establishing clarity and consistency with chapter 64.37 RCW: Short-Term Rentals regarding the definition of short-term rentals;
* Requiring Re...

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