Olympia, Washington Short Term Rental Regulations
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Reviewed by Karolyn Hutson
Last updated August 23, 2023
Olympia Short-Term Rental Regulations
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Short Term City Rating6.3
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Competition
8.6 -
Real Estate Cost
5.5 -
STR Regulations
N/A -
Seasonality
7.4 -
Rental Rates
3.7
Olympia, Washington Quick Stats
Short-term rentals have gained a lot of traction in the last few years. The trends and statistics of this sector are constantly changing, and having access to accurate data is essential for making sound investment decisions.
- Population
- 52,882
- STR License Required
- No
- Tourist Season
- County
- Thurston
- Airports
- Seattle Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
- Boeing Field King County International Airport (BFI)
Want to learn more about Olympia?
Hostscouts has you covered. Our guides for this city cover topics that can help you research cities across the US quickly and easily.
Check out our Olympia rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the Olympia rental market.
Review the popular activities that hosts include in their property positing in Olympia.
The most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings.
Explore nightly rates that hosts list their properties and the average fees for pets and additional guests.
What are the most popular property sizes for rent? Research whether a 1, 2, or 3 bedroom best fits Olympia guests.
Interested in other Washington cities?
Check out the Washington short term rental regulations directory
What makes Olympia a great place to invest?
- State Capitol Campus: Discover the grandeur of Washington's political center, featuring a magnificent neoclassical Legislative Building adorned with a 287-foot-tall dome. Stroll through the meticulously landscaped Capitol grounds, home to several monuments, memorials, and a stunning view of the Capitol Lake.
- Farmers Market & Local Cuisine: Savor the taste of the Pacific Northwest at Olympia's bustling Farmers Market, where over 100 vendors offer farm-fresh produce, artisanal crafts, and mouthwatering bites. Don't miss out on the region's renowned seafood, including delicious oysters and Dungeness crab.
- The Evergreen State College: Experience the innovative spirit of this progressive liberal arts college, set on a lush 1,000-acre campus with forest trails, organic farms, and a beach on the Puget Sound. Join a campus tour or attend one of their lively cultural events.
- Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge: Escape to this expansive 3,000-acre sanctuary, perfect for bird-watching, hiking, and wildlife photography. Wander through the diverse habitats, from freshwater marshes to estuaries, and observe over 200 species of birds, including Bald Eagles and Great Blue Herons.
- Percival Landing Park: Stroll along this picturesque waterfront park's boardwalk, offering panoramic views of the marina, Budd Inlet, and the Olympic Mountains. Enjoy public art installations, picnic areas, and a playground, or rent a kayak and explore the inlets and waterways up close.
- Priest Point Park: Embrace the great outdoors at this 314-acre park with miles of hiking trails, beaches, picnic areas, and playgrounds. Immerse yourself in the dense Pacific Northwest forest, teeming with native flora and fauna, or take in the breathtaking views of the Puget Sound and Olympic Mountains.
Olympia Nearby Cities
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28 miles away
- Rating: 5.3
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41 miles away
- Rating: 6.1
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Local Real Estate
How expensive is the real estate in Olympia?
The cost of real estate can vary widely depending on the location, size, and features of the property, as well as market conditions. The median home value in Olympia has decreased -1% over the past year, and the average price per square foot is $285, which is higher than the national average.
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Median Sale Price
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$528,704
-1% YoY
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Median per Square Foot
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$285
-4% YoY
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Average Monthly Rent
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$2,133
2% YoY
The most common terms hosts include in their listings for Olympia, Washington
Common terms for Olympia short term rental listings.
When potential guests are scrolling through listings on Airbnb, they’re looking for certain essential information to help them decide if your property is the right fit for their needs. As a host, ensuring that your listing includes all the relevant information that guests will be looking for is vital.
Some of the must-have elements of a property description include:
- Location: Guests will want to know where your property is located in relation to popular attractions, public transportation, and other points of interest.
- Amenities: What amenities does your property offer? Be sure to list all features guests can access, such as a pool, hot tub, parking, etc.
- Informative: The average listing in Olympia has a description approximately 1,298 words long. Make sure yours is long enough to describe your property but doesn't require your potential guest to read a novel.
After reviewing more than 428 listings in Olympia, we've consolidated the most common terms on the word cloud. The larger text represents a term that is used more often. The top ten mentioned terms are Olympia, Quiet, Lake, Cottage, Deck, Outdoor, Place, Comfortable, View, and Water.
What are the most popular tourist activities in Olympia?
Whether renting a house, an apartment, or a room, you should include popular tourist activities in your posting. The most common choices mentioned on property listings in Olympia involve Museums, Boating, the Marina, Kayaking, and Wildlife Viewing. When you write your listing, have a section with recommended activities near the property to give your guests an idea of what is available.
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Museums
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Boating
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Marina
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Kayaking
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Wildlife Viewing
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Casinos
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Antiquing
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Swimming
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Hiking
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Paddle Boating
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Cycling
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Rural
Local Attractions
What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?
There are quite a few popular attractions in Olympia, including Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington State Capitol, Chambers Bay Golf Course, Nisqually Red Wind Casino, and Little Creek Casino. Below we've included the most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings. Many hosts like to show off lesser-known regional landmarks visitors might not have heard of.
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Regional Landmark
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Washington State Capitol
Included on nearly all listings
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Local Landmark
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Providence St. Peter Hospital
Included on 91% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Nisqually Red Wind Casino
Included on 65% of listings
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Local Landmark
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Saint Martins University
Included on 53% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Little Creek Casino
Included on 52% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Joint Base Lewis-McChord
Included on 22% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Chambers Bay Golf Course
Included on 2% of listings
What’s the weather like in Olympia, Washington?
The weather is generally milder than the national average, with an average high temperature of around 61°, while the average low is about 42°. The rainfall is much heavier, averaging about 56 inches per year, compared to the national average of about 27 inches. Snowfall is relatively rare, averaging less than 6 inches per year. The humidity levels in Olympia are generally lower than the national average, and the city tends to be a bit cloudy for most of the year.
Winter
December through February
35° Low 47° High
Spring
March through May
41° Low 60° High
Summer
June through August
51° Low 76° High
Fall
September through November
43° Low 61° High
Cities Near Olympia
Olympia, Washington, is located in Thurston County. Some cities that are located nearby include:
