Occupancy Limits: Portland vs Seattle
How do occupancy limits rules compare between Portland, OR and Seattle, WA?
Seattle has fewer restrictions than Portland.
Portland, OR
Multnomah County
Portland caps short-term rental occupancy at two guests per bedroom plus two additional, not to exceed a total defined by permit type under PCC Chapter 33.207.
View full Portland rules →Seattle, WA
King County
Seattle Municipal Code Chapter 6.600 limits a short-term rental operator to a maximum of two dwelling units citywide: the operator's primary residence (where they live more than six months a year) and one secondary unit within Seattle, with grandfathered exceptions for some Downtown Urban Core legacy listings. SMC 6.600 does not set a specific guest-per-bedroom cap, but the underlying dwelling is still subject to occupancy and life-safety standards in the Building, Fire, and Housing codes. STRs are prohibited in RVs, tents, garages, boats, floating residences, waterfront residences, live-work units, and commercial caretaker quarters.
View full Seattle rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Portland | Seattle |
|---|---|---|
| - | - |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Portland FAQ
Seattle FAQ
How many short-term rentals can one Seattle operator run?
Most operators are limited to two dwelling units total: a primary residence (where they live more than six months a year) and one additional unit within city limits, with limited Downtown Urban Core legacy exceptions.
Does SMC 6.600 set a maximum number of guests per bedroom?
No. SMC 6.600 does not include a numeric guest-per-bedroom cap. Occupancy is governed by the underlying Building, Fire, and Housing/Maintenance codes for the structure.
Can I rent out a basement room without a separate STR license?
Yes. A rented bedroom inside your primary or secondary unit that does not have its own kitchen and bathroom is covered by your existing STR operator license and does not count as a separate unit.
What happens if I exceed the two-unit limit?
FAS can deny or revoke the operator license, and you can face $500 first-violation and $1,000 subsequent-violation penalties under SMC 6.600, plus SDCI land use enforcement under SMC 23.42.060.
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