Lodging Tax Grants

The Lodging Tax Grant Program awards funds to special events, festivals and programs that demonstrate the ability to attract visitors from over 50 miles away and generate overnight stays. The primary goal of the Grant Program is to support events and activities that showcase the City’s best assets and inspiring guests to return to Renton time and time again. The application for 2024 is now open for organizations interested in applying for lodging tax-funded grants to support projects that encourage tourism and cultural activities in Renton.

The deadline to apply for 2024 funding is Friday, October 20, 2023.

Check out the 2024 LTAC Grant Program Guidelines to learn more about eligible uses and the submission process.

City of Renton’s Lodging Tax Fund

Municipalities of five thousand or more must establish a Lodging Tax Advisory Committee. This committee has unique membership requirements, consisting of at least five members, and membership must include two members who are representatives of businesses required to collect the taxes, two members who are persons involved in activities authorized to be funded by revenue received by the taxes, and one elected official who serves as the Committee Chair. The Renton Lodging Tax Committee is comprised of 2 members from the hotel industry, 2 members from community non-profits, and 1 sitting Councilmember. There is a staff liaison to administratively support the Committee.

Lodging tax funds are collected by a 1% tax assessed on hotel/motels stays in Renton. RCW 67.28.180 restricts use of the tax to fund tourism promotion; and acquisitions, operations, and/or maintenance of tourism facilities within the City.

Lodging Tax Fund Grant applications are evaluated annually by the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee who make funding recommendations to the City Council. City Council makes the final decision on project approval and funding levels.

2023-2024 Committee Members:

Committee Chair: Councilmember James Alberson
Cathy Martinez – Legacy Hospitality, Inc (Hampton Inn & Suites)
Menka Soni – AmPowering
Scott Lane – Hyatt Regency Lake Washington
VACANT

For grant funding year 2023, the Renton City Council approved $444,000 in grants funded by lodging taxes. As Lodging Tax funds vary from year to year, there is no guarantee of the total amount awarded or if any grant awards will be made.