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🏠 Short-Term Rentals/Night Caps

Night Caps: Bellevue vs Seattle

How do night caps rules compare between Bellevue, WA and Seattle, WA?

Bellevue and Seattle have similar restriction levels.

Bellevue, WA

King County

Few Restrictions

Bellevue does not impose an annual nights-rented cap on short-term rentals. LUC 20.20.800 limits location and type rather than nights. Whole-home SF rentals are prohibited regardless of nights.

View full Bellevue rules β†’

Seattle, WA

King County

Few Restrictions

Unincorporated King County does not impose a rental-night cap on short-term rentals. Washington State does not preempt local STR rules, but King County has not adopted a cap. Seattle and some cities have their own caps.

View full Seattle rules β†’

Key Facts Comparison

FactBellevueSeattle
Annual Night CapNone-
SF Whole-HomeProhibited-
Room RentalsUnlimited nights-
MF Unit Cap5 or 20% of bldg-
CodeLUC 20.20.800-
County Night Cap-None
State Preemption-None
Seattle Cap-City-specific rules
Enforcement-Via other KCC rules
Contact-(206) 296-1600

Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.

Bellevue FAQ

How many nights per year can I rent my Bellevue Airbnb?

There is no annual night cap in Bellevue. The city limits the type and location of rentals rather than capping nights, so owner-occupied room rentals and eligible MF units can operate year-round.

Is there a cap on how many STRs are allowed in a condo building?

Yes. In Residential zones, short-term stay uses are limited to 5 units or 20 percent of the building, whichever is fewer, under LUC 20.20.800.

Seattle FAQ

Is there a cap on rental nights for a King County STR?

No. Unincorporated King County has not adopted a specific annual night cap for short-term rentals. Cities within King County, notably Seattle, have their own rules and caps that apply inside city limits.

Can King County add STR night limits in the future?

Yes. Washington State does not preempt local STR regulation, so the King County Council can adopt night caps, owner-occupancy rules, or zoning restrictions at any time. Operators should monitor council actions and consult current code before purchasing STR property.

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