Published on October 16, 2026
The City of Renton is accepting applications for 2027 Lodging Tax Grants. These grants support projects, initiatives, and events that bring visitors to Renton and encourage overnight stays.
We welcome applications from eligible nonprofit organizations, tourism partners, and public entities for projects that attract visitors and support Renton’s tourism ecosystem. Eligible projects may include festivals, cultural and heritage activities, sports events and tournaments, tourism marketing, and visitor experiences.
Funding requests vary based on the project scope, budget, and available funds. A separate application is required for each project.
Funding prioritizes proposals that attract visitors from outside Renton and demonstrate the potential to generate overnight stays at local hotels. Multi-day events, hotel partnerships, and targeted marketing to regional, out-of-area audiences can help strengthen a proposal. Projects scheduled between September and June may receive additional consideration because those months are traditionally slower for tourism. Activities that encourage visitors to stay longer, explore Renton, and support local businesses are especially encouraged.
Applicants are expected to contribute at least 25% of the total project budget through other funding sources. LTAC may recommend a lower contribution when appropriate.
Applications are evaluated by the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC) using a 100-point scoring system. The committee considers each proposal’s tourism impact, potential to generate overnight stays, marketing and outreach plan, partnerships, and overall value to Renton. LTAC then recommends funding awards to the Renton City Council, which makes the final funding decisions.
Applications are due by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, November 6, 2026. Find details, full guidelines, and the online application at rentonwa.gov/LTAC.
Have questions? Contact Jessie Kotarski, Economic Development Manager at jkotarski@rentonwa.gov.
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