Seattle, WA Short-Term Rentals: Short-Term Rental Parking Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Smc
- SMC 6.600 imposes no STR-specific off-street parking requirement
- Smc
- SMC 23.42.060 does not add STR parking beyond underlying use
- Street Parking Limited
- Street parking limited to 72 consecutive hours (SMC Title 11)
- Rpz Areas
- RPZ areas: one guest hangtag per household, 4 vehicle decals max
- Short
- Short-term RPZ day permits: 5 per day, 50 per year per address
- Driveways
- Driveways, curb cuts, hydrants, and red curbs may not be blocked
Summary
Seattle Municipal Code Chapter 6.600 does not impose a dedicated off-street parking requirement on short-term rentals, and SMC 23.42.060 (Land Use Code) does not require additional parking specifically for STR use beyond what applies to the underlying dwelling. STR guests parking on city streets must follow standard SDOT rules: posted time limits, street-cleaning postings, the 72-hour vehicle storage limit, and Restricted Parking Zone (RPZ) rules. In RPZ areas, only one guest hangtag is issued per household; short-term day permits are available in most zones (up to 5 per day, 50 per year per address).
Restricted Parking Zone (RPZ) Permits — RPZ Program: The Restricted Parking Zone (RPZ) Program helps to reduce all-day commuter parking near large commuting centers (like hospitals, universities, business districts, and light rail stations) in residential and mixed-use areas. RPZs use parking restrictions to limit the time that vehicles without RPZ permits can park. Residents in an RPZ can buy permits, allowing them to park for longer than the posted time limits, though having an RPZ permit does not guarantee that you will find a parking space near your home, and some RPZs have more active permits than available parking spaces on the street. [...] Step One: Gather Your Documents — Before you start, make sure your vehicle is registered in your name and at your RPZ-eligible address. Have your documents ready to upload. Submit the documentation listed below: 1. Current proof of residency showing your name and address, dated within the last 30 days. [...] 2. A copy of your current Washington State Vehicle Registration. Your vehicle must be registered with the Washington State Department of Licensing (WA DOL) in your name and at your address. Out-of-state registration is accepted only for active duty military personnel providing proof of their status, or out-of-state students providing proof of non-resident status. If your name does not appear on the vehicle registration, you may not qualify to receive a decal for your vehicle.
Full Breakdown
060 (land use), neither of which adds a parking requirement specific to STR operation. The SDCI common-code guidance for STRs simply directs operators to comply with parking, noise, housing, and building-maintenance code requirements that apply to the underlying property. Because most STRs in Seattle operate out of the operator's primary residence (or one secondary unit also within the city), the parking obligation is whatever the Land Use Code requires for that residential use, with no STR-specific add-on. On the street, STR guests are subject to the full set of SDOT and Seattle Police Department rules: posted time limits in metered or signed blocks, street-cleaning restrictions, the prohibition on parking a vehicle on the same street for more than 72 consecutive hours, and the prohibition on blocking driveways, curb cuts, fire hydrants, or red curbs.
In Restricted Parking Zone (RPZ) neighborhoods, vehicles without a valid permit may not exceed the posted time limit during enforcement hours. Each household is limited to four vehicle decals and one guest hangtag, so hosts cannot rely on guest hangtags for STR turnover. SDOT does sell short-term RPZ day permits (one-day) in most zones (excluding Zones A and B), with a cap of five per day and 50 per year per address; an operator may purchase these for guests, or provide guests with instructions on where to park outside the RPZ.
Hosts are advised by the Department of Finance and Administrative Services (FAS) to disclose parking conditions, including any RPZ enforcement, in listing descriptions to avoid guest citations.
Violations & Fines
SDOT parking citations vary by violation type and are generally consistent with citywide rates: time-limit, meter, and RPZ overstays typically run from roughly $47 to $65, while street-cleaning, fire-hydrant, and 72-hour overtime violations can result in higher fines and a tow under SMC Title 11. Blocking a driveway or curb cut is subject to citation and tow. Chapter 6.600 imposes no parking-specific STR penalty, but repeated guest parking complaints contributing to a pattern of nuisance can be considered by FAS in license enforcement, with $500 first-violation and $1,000 subsequent-violation penalties available under the STR ordinance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Seattle require off-street parking for STRs?
Can my STR guest park in my Restricted Parking Zone?
How long can a guest's car stay on the same Seattle block?
Where do I check if my STR is in an RPZ?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Seattle
Compare Seattle to another location·View the Washington short-term rentals overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Short-Term Rental Parking Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in King County handle short-term rental parking rules.