Bellevue vs Federal Way
How do occupancy limits rules compare between Bellevue, WA and Federal Way, WA?
Bellevue and Federal Way have similar restriction levels.
Bellevue, WA
King County
Bellevue caps STR occupancy per IRC habitability rules and LUC 20.20.800. Industry standard is two guests per bedroom plus two additional. Multi-family STR uses cannot exceed 5 units or 20% of a building.
View full Bellevue rules →Federal Way, WA
King County
Federal Way STRs follow building code occupancy standards, generally two persons per bedroom plus two additional. RCW 64.37 requires operators to post maximum occupancy inside the unit.
View full Federal Way rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Bellevue | Federal Way |
|---|---|---|
| Bedroom Min | 70 sq ft first; 50 sq ft add | - |
| Ceiling Min | 7 feet | - |
| Typical Formula | 2 per bedroom + 2 | Two per bedroom plus two |
| MF Use Cap | 5 units or 20% | - |
| Code | LUC 20.20.800; IRC | - |
| Post Occupancy | - | Required by RCW 64.37 |
| Bedroom Minimum | - | 70 sq ft with egress |
| Code Basis | - | WA State Building Code |
| Fine Minimum | - | 250 dollars |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Bellevue FAQ
How many guests can stay in a Bellevue Airbnb?
Occupancy is typically set at two guests per legal bedroom plus two additional, subject to IRC minimum square footage per bedroom and any house rules posted by the operator.
Are parties allowed at Bellevue short-term rentals?
House rules must state the maximum guest count, and events that exceed it are prohibited. Excess-occupancy events can be grounds for registration enforcement.
Federal Way FAQ
How many guests can my Federal Way STR host?
Generally two guests per bedroom plus two additional, subject to state building code bedroom definitions and fire egress.
Do I have to post occupancy?
Yes. RCW 64.37 requires every short-term rental operator to post the maximum occupancy inside the unit.
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