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🏠 Short-Term Rentals/Permit Requirements

Permit Requirements: Federal Way vs Kent

How do permit requirements rules compare between Federal Way, WA and Kent, WA?

Federal Way and Kent have similar restriction levels.

Federal Way, WA

King County

Heavy Restrictions

Federal Way STR operators must comply with RCW 64.37, which requires liability insurance, on-site safety info, and tax registration. A Federal Way business registration is also required.

View full Federal Way rules β†’

Kent, WA

King County

Heavy Restrictions

Kent requires short-term rental operators to obtain a business license and comply with RCW 64.37, which mandates liability insurance, guest safety info, and contact registration.

View full Kent rules β†’

Key Facts Comparison

FactFederal WayKent
State LawRCW 64.37RCW 64.37
Minimum Insurance1 million dollars-
City RegistrationFederal Way endorsement required-
Tax RegistrationWA DOR requiredWA DOR required
Rental DurationUnder 30 daysUnder 30 days
Minimum Liability Insurance-$1 million
Kent License-Business license required

Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.

Federal Way FAQ

Do I need a permit to run an Airbnb in Federal Way?

Yes. Operators need a Washington state business license with Federal Way endorsement and must comply with RCW 64.37 insurance, safety, and tax requirements.

What is considered a short-term rental?

A fee-based lodging arrangement of less than 30 consecutive days, typically booked through Airbnb, VRBO, or similar platforms.

Kent FAQ

Do I need a permit to rent my home short-term in Kent?

Yes. A Kent business license is required and operators must comply with RCW 64.37 including liability insurance and tax registration.

What counts as a short-term rental?

A fee-based lodging arrangement of less than 30 consecutive days, typically via Airbnb, VRBO, or similar platforms.

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