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Commissioners OK Ordinance to Increase Transient Room Tax but Delay Effective Date to July 1, 2026
Summary
Washington County adopted an ordinance to amend its transient room tax rate consistent with new state law and substituted a version postponing the effective date from Oct. 1 to July 1, 2026, at the request of hoteliers and staff.
The Washington County Board of Commissioners adopted an ordinance amending county code to raise the transient room tax rate from 4.25% to 4.5%, and substituted an updated ordinance to make the change effective July 1, 2026.
County staff told commissioners that a new state law permits the rate increase and that the earliest the county could impose the higher rate under state law would be Oct. 1 of the current year. Staff and at least one commissioner said hotel operators preferred a later implementation date so existing reservations and booking practices would not be disrupted; the board accepted a proposal to substitute language moving the effective date to July 1, 2026.
The nut graf: the ordinance aligns the county with recent state changes while giving local lodging businesses more lead time to adjust. Commissioners and the tourism director discussed timing, and the board voted to adopt the ordinance with the revised effective date.
During debate, the tourism director (Bridal McMichael) was reported to have supported the later date. The motion to adopt the ordinance with the July 1, 2026 effective date passed by voice vote.
Ending: The board recorded the ordinance adoption; the county clerk will publish and implement the code change according to the substituted effective date.
