Occupancy Limits: Redmond vs Seattle
How do occupancy limits rules compare between Redmond, WA and Seattle, WA?
Redmond and Seattle have similar restriction levels.
Redmond, WA
King County
Redmond applies the Washington State Building Code and IRC to STR occupancy. A common guideline is 2 persons per bedroom plus 2. Hosts must not exceed lawful occupancy or safe egress capacity.
View full Redmond 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 | Redmond | Seattle |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Rule | 2 per bedroom + 2 | - |
| Governs | WA Building Code / IRC | - |
| Each Bedroom | Egress window required | - |
| State Safety Duty | RCW 64.37 | - |
| HOA | May impose stricter limits | - |
| - | - |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Redmond FAQ
How many guests can I host in a Redmond STR?
A common guideline is 2 per bedroom plus 2 additional guests, capped by the dwelling's legal occupancy under the Washington State Building Code.
Does Redmond have a fixed STR occupancy cap?
No specific citywide cap. The limit is the dwelling's safe and lawful occupancy under the building and fire codes, plus any HOA restrictions.
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.
Compare other topics
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