Lodging Tax Grant Program

What is the Lodging Tax Grant Program?

Do you have a project designed to bring visitors to Snohomish? Your program may be eligible for grant funding provided by the City of Snohomish Lodging Tax Advisory Committee (LTAC)! The Lodging Tax Grant Program is funded by lodging taxes on stays within Snohomish city limits. Applicants may request up to $10,000 in funding, although awards this high are rare.

Please note that this application is for the City of Snohomish grant program, not the Snohomish County grant program. If you are interested in applying for grant funding from Snohomish County, please visit their Hotel-Motel Small Fund webpage.

The grant application for 2026 projects opens on Monday, February 16 and closes on Sunday, March 15 at 11:59 PM.

Frequently Asked Questions

Please review the program FAQs below and contact Brady Begin, Economic Development & Outreach Coordinator at begin@snohomishwa.gov or 360-913-4848 with any questions.

What is the Lodging Tax Grant Program and how is it funded?

The Lodging Tax Grant Program is an annual program that awards grant recipients with funding of up to $10,000 for tourism projects. The program is funded by transient rental income tax revenue from lodging stays within Snohomish city limits. This is not a separate tax, but a credit on the state sales and use tax that is returned to the City of Snohomish.

How much grant funding is available?

$26,000 is available for 2026 projects. Applicants may request up to $10,000 in funding, although full awards are rare.

What does the Lodging Tax Grant Program fund?

Grant funding may be used for:

• Tourism marketing
• Marketing and operations of special events and festivals designed to attract tourists
• Operations and capital expenditures of tourism-related facilities owned or operated by a municipality or a public facilities district, including repayment of general obligation bonds (RCW 67.28.150) or revenue bonds (RCW 67.28.160) for eligible capital projects
• Operations of tourism-related facilities owned or operated by nonprofit organizations (but not capital expenditures)

Who is eligible to apply for grant funding?

Applicants may be:

• Convention and visitors’ bureaus
• Destination marketing organizations
• Nonprofits, including main street organizations, lodging associations, or chambers of commerce
• Municipalities (defined as any city, town, or county)
• For-profit entities that promote tourism by attracting individuals traveling over 50 miles away and encouraging overnight stays

Please see the question above ("What does the Lodging Tax Grant Program fund?") for limitations on eligible expenditures by applicant type.

What are the application requirements?

The application will ask for your:

• Contact information and organization details
• Project timeline
• Budget details
• Marketing plan
• Economic impact

How are applications reviewed?

LTAC members individually review and score applications using criteria adopted in 2024. The scores are compiled by City staff and presented at the Committee's next public meeting. Scoring is used as a framework for discussion rather than the final determinant of grant awards. LTAC's recommended grant awards are presented to the Snohomish City Council for final approval.

Is grant funding guaranteed?

No, funding is not guaranteed. The Lodging Tax Grant Program is highly competitive and most recommended awards are for partial funding.

Do I need to submit a revised budget if LTAC recommends partial funding of my grant award?

Yes, you will need to submit a revised budget accounting for partial funding as part of the contracting process.

What are the contract requirements?

You will be required to sign a professional services agreement (PSA) for tourism promotion. The PSA outlines the agreed-upon scope of services, term, indemnification, insurance, payment, reporting requirements, and more.

When will I receive my grant award?

All grants are awarded on a reimbursement basis. You will be required to submit a reimbursement request documenting eligible expenses alongside your reporting form. You are strongly encouraged to submit the reimbursement and reporting as soon as possible after the conclusion of your project.

What if my expenses change after signing the contract?

Only 20% of grants funds may be reallocated among your budget's line items. When applying, you are strongly encouraged to simplify your line items and apply grant funding toward expenses that are unlikely to change significantly between the signing of your contract and the execution of your project.