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House Finance hears optional short-term rental tax to fund local affordable housing
Summary
Senate Bill 5576 would authorize cities, towns, and counties to impose a local short-term rental excise tax up to 4% (in 1% increments) starting April 1, 2026, with revenues directed to a new local account for affordable workforce and supportive housing. The hearing drew sustained public testimony both for and against the local-option tax.
The House Finance Committee heard extensive public testimony on Senate Bill 5576 on March 18. The engrossed substitute would allow a county, city, or town beginning April 1, 2026, to impose a short-term rental excise tax up to 4% (in 1% increments). Revenues would be deposited into a newly created "essential affordable housing local assistance account" and may be used for acquisition, rehabilitation or construction of affordable workforce or supportive housing, operations and maintenance, rental assistance, or operating support for organizations providing housing-related services. Local taxing authorities may retain up to 15% of revenues to cover administrative costs and must publish an annual report detailing revenue uses.
Rochelle Harris, committee staff, explained how the proposal fits into Washington's existing lodging-tax…
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