By Michelle McClausky, Broker, Selling Wenatchee LLC | AXEN Realty, Wenatchee, WA (WA License #21033268). Updated October 2026.
Leavenworth is the Bavarian-themed mountain town at the edge of the Cascades on US Highway 2, roughly 22 miles (about 30 minutes) west of Wenatchee. It's a year-round tourist destination, with Oktoberfest, the Christmas Lighting festival and Icicle Creek right out of town, and that tourism shapes everything from traffic to what you can do with a house.
Rules and boundaries change. Confirm zoning, short-term rental eligibility, school assignment and utilities for a specific address before you write an offer.
At a glance
| Leavenworth | |
|---|---|
| County | Chelan County |
| Distance to Wenatchee | ~22 miles via US 2 |
| Public schools | Cascade School District |
| Electric | Chelan County PUD |
| Short-term rentals | Not allowed in city residential zones (see below) |
The vibe
A walkable downtown, festivals most weekends, and big mountain scenery. Expect busy weekends and holiday traffic on US 2. Many locals live just outside town in the Icicle, Chumstick or Plain areas for more space.
Outdoor recreation
Icicle Creek and Icicle Ridge trails, rock climbing, the Enchantments (permit area, Alpine Lakes Wilderness), Wenatchee River floating, Ski Hill and Leavenworth Nordic trails in winter, and Stevens Pass about 35 miles west. Trail maps: Leavenworth on Trailforks and my Live Like a Local page.
Housing types
Older in-town homes and cottages, condos and townhomes, cabins and mountain homes on acreage outside city limits, and vacant land.
Things to know before you buy
- Short-term rentals. Inside the City of Leavenworth and its urban growth area, rentals of less than one month are not allowed in residential zones. They're permitted in commercial zones, usually with building-code conversion (such as sprinklers) and a city business license; an owner-occupied B&B may be possible in residential zones with a conditional use permit. The city has STR regulations on its 2026 planning docket, so watch for changes. Outside the UGA, Chelan County's STR permit rules (Code 11.88.290) apply, including caps and owner-occupancy requirements in many cases. Never buy assuming a house can be a vacation rental without verifying with the city or county.
- Wildfire. Much of Chelan County sits in the wildland-urban interface. Ask about defensible space, roofing and siding materials, road access and insurance availability early; some insurers are selective in high-risk areas. Washington DNR's Wildfire Ready Neighbors program offers free home assessments.
- Wells and septic. Outside city sewer and water service, homes often rely on a private well and on-site septic system permitted through the Chelan-Douglas Health District. See my guide to wells, septic and water rights.
- Snow and access. Winter brings real snow; check road maintenance (county vs private) for homes outside town.
Sources
- City of Leavenworth, Start a Business (overnight/vacation rentals): https://cityofleavenworth.com/how-do-i/start-a-business/
- City of Leavenworth, Administrative Interpretation 2023-01 (STRs): https://cityofleavenworth.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Admin-Interp-2023-01-STR-FINAL.pdf
- Chelan County, Short-term rentals: https://co.chelan.wa.us/community-development/pages/short-term-rentals
- Cascade School District: https://www.cascadesd.org/
- Washington DNR, Wildfire Ready Neighbors: https://www.wildfireready.dnr.wa.gov/
- Chelan-Douglas Health District, on-site septic: https://cdhd.wa.gov/
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