2025 vacation rental (VR) certification cycle Is now open

||| FROMM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS |||

If you operate a vacation rental, it’s time to certify your compliance with County code to maintain your permit through the end of 2026. The 2025 vacation rental certification of compliance process is open until December 31, 2025.  Vacation rental permit holders or their authorized representatives must submit the 2025 VR Certificate of Compliance application through the online portal, through the mail, or in-person. 

Find general reminders on how to apply  below. Please note that the form has been updated, so there are a few changes to pay attention to.

Application Options & Reminders

• Online: To submit online or access the printable form, log into the online permit portal at www.SanJuanCountyWa.gov/OPC & go to My Portal > Apply Online > Category = Land Use > select “VR Certificate of Compliance (Annual).” Answers to frequently asked questions are also available online here.
• Paper and/or Payment via Check or Cash: To submit a paper form, print and completely fill out the 2025 form titled “VR Permit- Annual Certificate of Compliance.” Follow the instructions on the form to submit via mail or drop off in person. 
• Fees: In accordance with SJC Resolution No. 34-2020, a $145 fee is charged for online certificate applications paid with credit card through the online permit portal a $160 fee is charged for paper submittals and/or certificates paid for in check or cash. These fees support the cost of the vacation rental compliance program.

Updates to VR Certificates of Compliance for 2025: 

The intake form and questions for the Annual VR Certificate of Compliance process have been updated this year with current relevant code language and documentation requirements for facilitating the County’s VR Permit program and expected lottery system requirements. Please pay careful attention to the following changes:

1. “Active” VR’s must submit a copy of the current Rules of Conduct (RoC) OR, Alternatively, “Inactive” VR’s will need to submit a letter to PO Box 947, Friday Harbor, WA 98250 (or email with VR Permit # referenced to Marc Santos at MarcS@SanJuanCountyWA.gov) affirming the VR is inactive for the current certificate year. *PLEASE NOTE: In either case, active or inactive status does not impact the validity of a given VR permit. The County must simply track compliance in order to accurately track VR Permits with relation to applicable caps.
2. The new 2025 form titled “VR Certificate of Compliance (Annual)” must be used (reduced from 45 to 41 questions)
3. Old forms will not be accepted
4. Incomplete forms will not be accepted
5. *PLEASE NOTE: All numbered questions are required to be considered a complete application. Best available answers are acceptable; however, the provided information will be considered true unless otherwise corrected. If any answer requires additional comments for context, please email Marc Santos (MarcS@SanJuanCountyWA.gov) with the question number(s) and VR Permit # referenced.

Notes for VC-Designated Parcels in Lopez Village and Eastsound: 

For all owners of property used for vacation rentals prior to June 24, 2025* in the Village Commercial (VC) designations in Lopez or Eastsound, please use the appropriate response below when completing the question “What is your vacation rental permit number?”

• For Lopez VC property owners, enter: “18.30.750(VC)” if you do not have a VR Permit # to reference
• For Eastsound VC property owners, enter: “18.30.460-5(VC)” if you do not have a VR Permit # to reference

*Ordinance 10-2025 allows vacation rentals in VC-designated parcels established prior to June 24, 2025 to continue operations until June 24, 2026 (or while DCD processes a VR Permit submitted in accordance with the referenced ordinance). Property owners in these designations that do not have a VR Permit must complete VR Permit application by June 24, 2026 to continue operating a VR in these designations.

Do you have questions about the VR Certification process? Ask Marc at MarcS@sanjuancountywa.gov.  

About San Juan County’s Department of Community Development 

San Juan County’s Department of Community Development is responsible for administering building permits and inspections, code enforcement, land use permits, long-range planning, and more. The department’s main office is located at 135 Rhone Street, Friday Harbor, WA 98250. For more information about San Juan County’s Department of Community Development, visit www.sanjuancountywa.gov/1778/Community-Development.