Short-term rental permit rules in Seattle, WA — also called Airbnb permits, vacation rental licenses, or STR registration — list the application steps, fees, and operating requirements for hosting.
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.
SMC Chapter 6.600 (effective Jan. 1, 2019) requires: (1) Seattle Business License Tax Certificate (apply at filelocal-wa.gov; allow 48 hours); (2) STR Operator's Regulatory License ($75/unit/year) via Seattle Services Portal; (3) RRIO registration for non-primary-residence units. License number must appear in all advertisements. Operators may only operate up to 2 units, and if operating 2, one must be the operator's primary residence.
Operating without required licenses violates SMC 6.600. Penalties per city code enforcement.
Seattle, WA
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Seattle, WA
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Seattle, WA
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in King County.
See how other cities in King County handle permit requirements.
See how Seattle's permit requirements rules stack up against other locations.
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