Is Airbnb legal in Seattle, WA?

Restricted

Airbnb is restricted in Seattle, WA

An operator may run at most two dwelling units citywide, and if two, one must be the operator’s primary residence (units permitted for STR before September 2017 are exempt from the two-unit cap). The $75 fee is per unit per year, and a separate platform license also applies.

Seattle Ordinance 125490 (SMC Ch. 6.600)View the ordinance

Verified July 2026. Not legal advice. Rules change and may be enforced differently than written. Confirm with the city before you list.

Key rules at a glance

Permit or registration

Required

Primary residence only

No

Annual night cap

Not confirmed

Registration fee

$75

How short-term rentals work in Seattle

The first step in Seattle is the city's permit or registration process, with a fee of about $75. The status card above has the full detail on the current rules.

Non-owner investors can operate in Seattle, but within the city's limits above. Read the ordinance closely before you buy, because permits, caps, or zoning can make a specific property ineligible.

At the state level, Washington leaves short-term rental rules to cities and counties.

What it means for investors

An STR can still work in Seattle, but the limits shrink the pool of eligible properties and add compliance cost. Underwrite conservatively and confirm the specific address qualifies before you commit.

Analyze a rental hereCheck long-term rent

Short-term rental rules elsewhere in Washington

Last reviewed July 2026. Informational and educational only, not legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created. Rules change and may be enforced differently than written. Verify the current ordinance with your local jurisdiction or counsel before acting.

Frequently asked questions

Is Airbnb legal in Seattle?

An operator may run at most two dwelling units citywide, and if two, one must be the operator’s primary residence (units permitted for STR before September 2017 are exempt from the two-unit cap). The $75 fee is per unit per year, and a separate platform license also applies. This reflects the rules as of July 2026; confirm the current ordinance with the city before you list.

Do I need a permit to run a short-term rental in Seattle?

Yes. Seattle requires a permit or registration to operate a short-term rental, and platforms increasingly require the permit number on the listing.

Can I run a non-owner-occupied Airbnb in Seattle?

Yes, Seattle does not require you to live in the property, though other limits such as caps, zoning, or licensing may still apply.

Is there a limit on how many nights I can rent in Seattle?

No specific annual night cap was confirmed for Seattle, though minimum-stay rules or license caps may effectively limit operations. Check the ordinance.

What taxes apply to a short-term rental in Seattle?

Short-term rentals in Seattle are generally subject to state and local lodging or occupancy taxes on top of income tax. Airbnb and VRBO collect some of these automatically, but not always all of them, so confirm the current rate and who remits it with Washington and the city.