Permit Requirements: San Francisco vs Seattle
How do permit requirements rules compare between San Francisco, CA and Seattle, WA?
San Francisco and Seattle have similar restriction levels.
San Francisco, CA
San Francisco County
San Francisco Administrative Code Chapter 41A requires all STR hosts to register with the Office of Short-Term Rentals (OSTR) and obtain a Business Registration Certificate from the Treasurer & Tax Collector. Primary residence only; host must occupy the unit at least 275 days per year. ADUs, BMR units, SROs, and dormitories are ineligible. Registration fee is $250 and certificates are valid for two years.
View full San Francisco rules →Seattle, WA
King County
Seattle requires STR operators to hold a City Business License Tax Certificate and a separate STR Operator's Regulatory License ($75/unit/year) under SMC Chapter 6.600. Operators are limited to 2 units; one must be their primary residence if operating 2. Non-primary-residence STRs must also register with RRIO.
View full Seattle rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | San Francisco | Seattle |
|---|---|---|
| Registration | OSTR + Business Registration | - |
| Primary Residence | Min. 275 nights/year | Required if operating 2 units |
| Fee | $250; valid 2 years | - |
| Insurance | $500K liability required | - |
| Code | - | SMC Chapter 6.600 |
| Operator License | - | $75/unit/year |
| Unit Cap | - | Max 2 units per operator |
| RRIO | - | Required for non-primary-residence STRs |
| Contact | - | str@seattle.gov / (206) 386-1267 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
San Francisco FAQ
Do I need a permit to list my property on Airbnb in San Francisco?
San Francisco Administrative Code Chapter 41A requires all STR hosts to register with the Office of Short-Term Rentals (OSTR) and obtain a Business Registration Certificate from the Treasurer & Tax Collector. Primary residence only; host must occupy the unit at least 275 days per year. ADUs, BMR...
What are the short-term rental registration requirements in San Francisco?
Registration: OSTR + Business Registration. Primary Residence: Min. 275 nights/year. Fee: $250; valid 2 years. Insurance: $500K liability required.
Seattle FAQ
Do I need a permit to list my property on Airbnb in Seattle?
Seattle requires STR operators to hold a City Business License Tax Certificate and a separate STR Operator's Regulatory License ($75/unit/year) under SMC Chapter 6.600. Operators are limited to 2 units; one must be their primary residence if operating 2. Non-primary-residence STRs must also...
What are the short-term rental registration requirements in Seattle?
Code: SMC Chapter 6.600. Operator License: $75/unit/year. Unit Cap: Max 2 units per operator. Primary Residence: Required if operating 2 units.
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