Occupancy Limits: Auburn vs Renton
How do occupancy limits rules compare between Auburn, WA and Renton, WA?
Auburn and Renton have similar restriction levels.
Auburn, WA
King County
Auburn follows Washington State Building Code (IRC) occupancy guidelines based on bedroom count and square footage. STRs commonly cap occupancy at 2 per bedroom plus 2 additional guests.
View full Auburn rules →Renton, WA
King County
RMC 4-4-055 caps short-term rental occupancy at 2 guests per bedroom plus the owner or host family. Units must comply with International Property Maintenance Code room size standards under RMC 4-5-130.
View full Renton rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Auburn | Renton |
|---|---|---|
| Building code | ACC Title 15 (IRC/IBC) | - |
| Industry standard | 2 per bedroom + 2 | - |
| Bedroom minimum | 70 sq ft + egress | - |
| State preemption | RCW 35A.21.310 | - |
| Detectors | Per WAC 51-51 | - |
| Limit | - | 2 guests per bedroom |
| Owner Family | - | Counted separately when owner-occupied |
| Bedroom Standard | - | IPMC, RMC 4-5-130 |
| Room Minimum | - | 70 sq ft for 1 occupant |
| Alarms | - | Smoke and CO required |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Auburn FAQ
Does Auburn set a specific STR occupancy limit?
Not a citywide numerical cap. Occupancy is limited by building code minimums, septic/well capacity, and the operator's house rules.
Can I host large events or parties?
Even if building code allows the headcount, events may violate noise, parking, and party-house provisions. Most Auburn operators prohibit events in their listings.
Renton FAQ
Can I rent my Renton 2-bedroom to 6 adults?
No. RMC 4-4-055 caps occupancy at 2 per bedroom, so a true 2-bedroom may only host 4 unrelated guests (plus the resident owner's family if owner-occupied).
Does my finished basement count as a bedroom?
Only if it has a permitted egress window, meets IPMC room dimensions under RMC 4-5-130, and has smoke and CO alarms per the fire code.
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