Federal Way vs Kirkland
How do night caps rules compare between Federal Way, WA and Kirkland, WA?
Federal Way has fewer restrictions than Kirkland.
Federal Way, WA
King County
Federal Way does not currently impose an annual night cap on short-term rentals. Unlike Seattle, there is no local limit on how many nights per year a property may be rented for stays under 30 days.
View full Federal Way rules →Kirkland, WA
King County
Kirkland does not impose a fixed per-year night cap, but non-owner-occupied STRs face zoning restrictions and all rentals shorter than 30 nights must comply with Ordinance O-4755.
View full Kirkland rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Federal Way | Kirkland |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Night Cap | None currently | - |
| State Preemption | No statewide cap | - |
| Seattle Comparison | Seattle has operational caps | - |
| HOA Rules | May impose private limits | - |
| Monitor | City Council ordinances | - |
| Per-year cap | - | None currently |
| STR threshold | - | Fewer than 30 nights |
| Owner-occupancy | - | Required in most zones |
| Primary ordinance | - | O-4755 |
| Revocation trigger | - | Repeat nuisance violations |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Federal Way FAQ
Is there a night limit for Federal Way short-term rentals?
No. Federal Way does not impose an annual night cap as of publication, though licensing, tax, and nuisance rules still apply.
Could night caps be added later?
Yes. Cities can adopt caps at any time. Operators should track Federal Way Council ordinance updates and HOA rules.
Kirkland FAQ
Is there a cap on how many nights I can rent per year?
No current numerical cap, but the owner-occupancy requirement effectively limits how many nights a host can be away and still comply with the rules.
Can I rent my second home in Kirkland as an STR?
Non-owner-occupied STRs are generally prohibited in single-family residential zones and allowed only in commercial, mixed-use, or certain accessory dwelling situations.
Compare other topics
See how Federal Way and Kirkland compare on other ordinance categories.
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