Host Presence Rule: Portland vs Seattle
How do host presence rule rules compare between Portland, OR and Seattle, WA?
Portland and Seattle have similar restriction levels.
Portland, OR
Multnomah County
Portland's Type A short-term rental permit under PCC 33.207 authorizes only owner-occupied home shares where the host lives in the dwelling at least 270 nights per year, sharing or temporarily vacating the unit while up to two bedrooms are rented.
View full Portland rules →Seattle, WA
King County
Seattle SMC 6.600 STR Ordinance (2017) requires every host to hold a STR Operator License plus a regulatory license. Operators are limited to their primary residence plus one additional dwelling unit citywide.
View full Seattle rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Portland | Seattle |
|---|---|---|
| Permit type | Type A (PCC 33.207) | - |
| Host occupancy | 270 nights/year | - |
| Bedroom max | 2 (Type A) | - |
| Neighbor notice | Within 150 feet | - |
| Code | - | SMC 6.600 |
| Effective | - | January 2019 |
| Unit cap | - | 2 dwelling units |
| STR tax | - | $14/night |
| Sales+lodging tax | - | ~15.6% |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Portland FAQ
Can I rent my whole home while traveling?
Type A allows incidental whole-home rentals while the host travels, as long as the host still occupies the home 270 nights per calendar year. Sustained whole-home rental requires a Type B conditional use permit.
What if I move and keep listing the unit?
The Type A permit becomes invalid the moment the dwelling stops being your primary residence. Continuing to list it is unpermitted activity and triggers Bureau of Development Services enforcement and potential platform takedown.
Seattle FAQ
Can I run an Airbnb in a non-primary Seattle property?
Yes, but only one such unit beyond your primary residence. Seattle caps each operator at two STR units citywide. Additional units require selling or long-term renting.
Do I have to live on-site while guests are there?
No. SMC 6.600 does not require host presence. Whole-home rentals are allowed. The binding limit is the two-unit cap and licensing/tax obligations.
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