BI reports strong compliance with new short-term rental rules

By Staff report • August 21, 2025 1:30 am
COBI courtesy photo A sample STR sign (with a non-existent address) that property owners are required to display at their short-term rentals.
COBI courtesy photo A sample STR sign (with a non-existent address) that property owners are required to display at their short-term rentals.

Just less than a year after the city of Bainbridge Island’s short-term rental ordinance took effect, the city is reporting a strong compliance rate among operators, with the vast majority securing the required STR certificate and business license.

Since the ordinance went into effect, 157 short-term rentals have registered with the city, per a news release. 151 STR certificates have been issued and six STR applications are pending (primarily awaiting completion of business license requirements).

In addition, there is evidence that seven STRs are operating without registering for an STR certificate. Of those, two have been issued with $1,000 citations for non-compliance. Neither of these properties is the owner’s primary residence, and one has an out-of-state address for their tax record, the release says.

“Achieving a near full compliance rate less than a year after the STR ordinance took effect is a huge win for the community,” said city manager Blair King. “It ensures short-term rentals operate fairly and transparently while contributing to the local economy. This success reflects our community’s engagement and our operators’ commitment to high standards, and it supports our goal of maintaining a clear, accountable system that works for both residents and visitors.”

The STR ordinance requires all short-term rentals to be licensed and to provide a local contact who can respond to issues within one hour. The city also launched a short-term rental public portal to give community members direct access to STR information and resources, including a 24/7 hotline and online complaint submission tool.

Through the portal, the community can:

• View the license number of each STR.

• Find the local contact phone number for the property.

• See the number of bedrooms and maximum occupancy.

• Explore a map of STR locations on Bainbridge Island.

• Report concerns through the complaint portal (via See Click Fix) for code violations or by calling the 24/7 hotline at (844) 308-1261, operated by Deckard Technologies, the city’s STR data manager.

The portal is available here: str-public-portal.deckard.com/bi. Users can zoom in and click on any property dot for details.

Looking ahead, the city is working with the Bainbridge Island Chamber of Commerce and the Bainbridge Island Innkeepers Forum to promote island short-term rentals and hotels to visitors attending the 2026 World Cup in Seattle.

For more information about the STR ordinance and requirements, visit bainbridgewa.gov/964/Short-Term-Vacation-Rentals.