Seattle limits short-term rentals (under 30 days) of ADUs to two units per operator under SMC 6.600 — typically the operator's primary residence plus one additional dwelling. ADUs rented short-term must hold a Seattle short-term rental operator license and the rental-platform license. Long-term ADU rentals require RRIO registration under SMC 22.214 but have no minimum term.
SMC 6.600.080 (Short-Term Rental Operator License) restricts each operator to a maximum of two dwelling units used for short-term rentals: their primary residence plus one additional unit. An ADU can be the 'additional unit' if the operator's primary residence is the main house on the same lot or another property. The operator pays $75 per unit per year for the license. Lodging tax (8%) is added by hosts/platforms under RCW 67.28. Rentals of 30 days or longer are not short-term rentals — they fall under standard landlord-tenant rules and the Rental Registration and Inspection Ordinance (RRIO, SMC 22.214) which requires registration ($70 per property per 5 years) and inspection at least once every 10 years. RCW 36.70A.681 (HB 1337) prevents Seattle from prohibiting long-term rental of ADUs but permits the city to ban short-term rental use; Seattle uses the 2-unit cap rather than an outright ban.
Operating a short-term rental without an operator license violates SMC 6.600.090 — civil penalties up to $1,000 per day. Platforms (Airbnb, VRBO) are required to verify licenses and remove unlicensed listings under SMC 6.600.110. RRIO non-registration penalties are $150 per unit per day under SMC 22.214.075. Lodging tax evasion is referred to Department of Revenue.
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