Primary-Residence-Only Rule: San Francisco vs Seattle
How do primary-residence-only rule rules compare between San Francisco, CA and Seattle, WA?
Seattle has fewer restrictions than San Francisco.
San Francisco, CA
San Francisco County
San Francisco bars short-term rentals unless the unit is the host's primary residence. Hosts must occupy the home at least 275 nights per year and register with the Office of Short-Term Rentals before listing on Airbnb, Vrbo, or any platform.
View full San Francisco 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 | San Francisco | Seattle |
|---|---|---|
| Code section | Police Code 41A.5 | - |
| Occupancy minimum | 275 nights per year | - |
| Enacted | Ordinance 218-14 (2014) | - |
| Enforcement agency | Office of Short-Term Rentals | - |
| Daily fine | $484 per violation day | - |
| 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.
San Francisco FAQ
Can I rent out my second home in SF on Airbnb?
No. Section 41A bans STR listings of any unit that is not your verified primary residence. Second homes, investment properties, and pieds-a-terre cannot legally host stays under 30 nights.
How does SF prove a unit isn't a primary residence?
OSTR cross-checks utility records, voter rolls, DMV records, tax filings, and platform booking data. Hosts must submit two proofs at registration and respond to audit requests.
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.
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