Visit Vashon

​On Vashon, the mere mention of "Airbnb" can spark a heated debate. With our local housing crisis reaching a boiling point, short-term rentals (STRs) often wear the villain’s cape. But if you look closer, the STR market isn't a monolith. In reality, it breaks down into three distinct categories—each with a vastly different impact on our community and our housing stock. ​1. The Investor-Owned Rental ​This is the "classic" Airbnb model that people fear most: an outside investor buys a residential home specifically to run it as a full-time hotel. ​While this model thrives in high-demand hubs like Paris or Rome, it’s a tougher sell on "sleepy" Vashon. With our modest seasonal tourism and a "C+" rental rating, the math doesn't always work for those carrying a heavy mortgage. While these do exist on the island, they are often inherited properties or owned by folks without high financial expectations. ​2. The "E...

​If you look at a map of Vashon and Maury Islands, your eyes are naturally drawn to the calm, horseshoe embrace of Quartermaster Harbor. Historically, these protected waters were the heart of our local shipbuilding industry. Today, they remain a haven for rowers, sailors, and some of the island’s most coveted real estate. ​But look closer, and a persistent problem emerges. Because of its unique shape and currents, the harbor acts like a giant vacuum, sucking up marine debris and abandoned vessels drifting in from the greater Puget Sound. It’s a common—and heartbreaking—sight: smashed powerboats tangled in driftwood or beached sailboats with their contents spilling onto the shore. ​For locals, the frustration lies in the red tape. Under current state regulations, getting help with a drifting, abandoned boat often feels impossible until it’s too late. The system seems designed to wait until a vessel is already aground, spewing fuel, and littering the beach with...