Primary-Residence-Only Rule: Portland vs Seattle
How do primary-residence-only rule rules compare between Portland, OR and Seattle, WA?
Seattle has fewer restrictions than Portland.
Portland, OR
Multnomah County
Whole-home and non-owner-occupied short-term rentals in Portland require a Type B conditional use permit under PCC 33.207, with land-use review, distance spacing requirements between B permits, and stricter Bureau of Development Services oversight.
View full Portland rules →Seattle, WA
King County
King County itself imposes no primary-residence restriction on short-term rentals in unincorporated areas, but several cities within the county, most notably Seattle, limit operators to their primary dwelling plus at most one additional unit.
View full Seattle rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Portland | Seattle |
|---|---|---|
| Permit type | Type B conditional use | - |
| Review | BDS Type II/III | - |
| Authority | PCC 33.207 | - |
| HOA sign-off | Often required | - |
| County rule | - | None for unincorporated |
| Seattle cap | - | 2 units per operator |
| Bellevue cap | - | No cap (2026) |
| Citation | - | SMC 6.600 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Portland FAQ
Can I run an Airbnb from my second home?
Only with a Type B conditional use permit, which is harder to obtain and subject to land-use review, neighborhood notice, and density-spacing limits in residential zones.
Does Portland allow corporate short-term rental operators?
Effectively only through Type B permits in zones that permit them, with each property going through individual conditional-use review. Portland does not have a separate commercial short-term rental category.
Seattle FAQ
Does King County limit me to my primary home?
Not in unincorporated areas. Cities like Seattle do; check whether your address sits inside an incorporated city before assuming county rules apply.
Can I list two STRs in Seattle?
Yes, one must be your primary residence and the second any additional unit you own. Both require separate Seattle short-term rental operator licenses.
Compare other topics
See how Portland and Seattle compare on other ordinance categories.
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