Primary-Residence-Only Rule: Bellevue vs Federal Way
How do primary-residence-only rule rules compare between Bellevue, WA and Federal Way, WA?
Bellevue and Federal Way have similar restriction levels.
Bellevue, WA
King County
King County itself imposes no primary-residence restriction on short-term rentals in unincorporated areas, but several cities within the county, most notably Seattle, limit operators to their primary dwelling plus at most one additional unit.
View full Bellevue rules →Federal Way, WA
King County
King County itself imposes no primary-residence restriction on short-term rentals in unincorporated areas, but several cities within the county, most notably Seattle, limit operators to their primary dwelling plus at most one additional unit.
View full Federal Way rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Bellevue | Federal Way |
|---|---|---|
| County rule | None for unincorporated | None for unincorporated |
| Seattle cap | 2 units per operator | 2 units per operator |
| Bellevue cap | No cap (2026) | No cap (2026) |
| Citation | SMC 6.600 | SMC 6.600 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Bellevue FAQ
Does King County limit me to my primary home?
Not in unincorporated areas. Cities like Seattle do; check whether your address sits inside an incorporated city before assuming county rules apply.
Can I list two STRs in Seattle?
Yes, one must be your primary residence and the second any additional unit you own. Both require separate Seattle short-term rental operator licenses.
Federal Way FAQ
Does King County limit me to my primary home?
Not in unincorporated areas. Cities like Seattle do; check whether your address sits inside an incorporated city before assuming county rules apply.
Can I list two STRs in Seattle?
Yes, one must be your primary residence and the second any additional unit you own. Both require separate Seattle short-term rental operator licenses.
Compare other topics
See how Bellevue and Federal Way compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool