GoStudioM - Airbnb & VRBO Hosting Education Platform
CalendarAnalyzerAnalyticsLearnPricing
Guides
Videos
All VideosBest VideosTrending
NewsRulesTopics
GoStudioM - Airbnb & VRBO Hosting Education Platform

Built for hosts, by a host

Listing Analyzer

  • Get Listing Score
  • Title Generator
  • Review Responder
  • Guest Review Writer
  • All Listing Tools →

Cleaning Calendar

  • Try Calendar Free
  • Superhost Calculator
  • Maintenance Planner
  • All Operations Tools →

Financial Analytics

  • See Your Numbers
  • Fee Calculator
  • Special Offer Calculator
  • All Financial Tools →

Learn

  • Videos
  • News
  • Rules
  • Topics
  • Hosting Guides →

Compare

  • Best Cleaning Software
  • Turno Alternative
  • Properly Alternative
  • Hospitable Alternative
  • AirDNA Alternative

Legal

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • SMS Consent
  • Contact Us

© 2026 GoStudioM. All rights reserved.

  1. Home
  2. ·
  3. Regulations
  4. ·
  5. Washington
  6. ·
  7. Bellevue

Bellevue

Prohibited
WashingtonUpdated Mar 22, 2026
Gold-standard verification1% sourced

Cross-referenced against 0 official sources — municipal codes, planning-department pages, and government registries.

Verified Feb 7, 2026Sources 0

Summary

Plain-english overview

Short-term rentals (stays of less than 30 days) are generally prohibited in all residential zoning districts in Bellevue.

Restriction level

Severity 100
Classification
Prohibited
100
Severity

Why this classification

  • Residential STRs prohibited
  • Banned in all/most residential zones
  • Long minimum stay: 30 nights
  • Tenants cannot host
  • Reporting required
  • No STR-specific permit required
  • No night cap
  • No primary residence requirement
  • No STR-specific fee

In plain English

What this means for you

In Bellevue, you cannot legally rent out your home or an ADU for less than 30 days in any residential neighborhood. Short-term lodging is only permitted in specific commercial or mixed-use zones as 'transient lodging' and requires a city business license.

At a glance

Key numbers
Permit requiredNo
Night limitNone
Primary residenceNot required
Total tax rate0.1%

4 things hosts often miss

Common compliance gaps
  1. 1Residential Ban: Short-term rentals are effectively banned in residential zones (R-1 through R-30).
  2. 230-Day Rule: Any rental less than 30 days is considered transient and is restricted to commercial districts.
  3. 3Bed & Breakfast Loophole: While 'Bed and Breakfasts' are sometimes allowed, they require the owner to live on-site and have extremely strict licensing that doesn't apply to standard Airbnb whole-home rentals.
  4. 4Active Enforcement: The City of Bellevue Code Enforcement department investigates complaints about illegal STRs in residential neighborhoods.

Regulation details

Sourced from official code
Eligibility4 rules
  • Bellevue does NOT allow tenants to host STRs. Only property owners may operate short-term rentals.
  • Bellevue allows STRs in the following property types: Hotels, Motels, Transient Lodging in Commercial Zones.
  • Bellevue prohibits STRs in the following property types: Single Family Homes, Apartments, Condos, ADUs, Townhomes.
Requirements11 rules
  • Bellevue does not require STR registration.
  • Bellevue: You must display your permit/registration number on your listing. Platforms may remove non-compliant listings.
  • Bellevue STR warning: Active Enforcement: The City of Bellevue Code Enforcement department investigates complaints about illegal STRs in residential neighborhoods.
Application process6 rules
  • Step-by-step guide to get an STR permit in Bellevue: Step 1: Zoning Verification - Check the Bellevue Land Use Code to confirm your property is in a zone where 'Transient Lodging' is a permitted use. It is prohibited in all 'R' (Residential) zones. Documents needed: Property address, Zoning map access. Estimated time: 1 day. More info: https://bellevue.elaws.us/code/luc_20.10.440 Step 2: Obtain State Tax ID - Register your business with the Washington State Department of Revenue to receive a Unified Business Identifier (UBI) number. Documents needed: SSN or FEIN, Business ownership info. Estimated time: 1 week. Cost: 50. More info: https://dor.wa.gov/open-business Step 3: Apply for Bellevue Business License - Apply for a general business license through the FileLocal portal. If operating transient lodging, you must register as a 'Hotel/Motel' or 'Transient Lodging' provider. Documents needed: State UBI number, Property details. Estimated time: 2 weeks. Cost: 105. More info: https://www.filelocal-wa.gov/
Taxes2 rules
  • Bellevue charges a Transient Occupancy Tax of 0.02%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Airbnb and VRBO collect and remit Washington State sales tax and local lodging taxes.
  • Washington has a state sales tax of 0.065% that applies to STR rentals.
Limits & restrictions2 rules
  • Bellevue requires a minimum stay of 30 nights.
  • Bellevue enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM - 7:00 AM.
Safety requirements1 rule
  • Bellevue requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher.
Penalties2 rules
  • Bellevue enforces the following penalties for STR violations: First offense: Notice of Violation. Second offense: Monetary penalty per day. Third offense: Legal action. Daily fine: 500.00. Permit may be revoked for violations.
  • Bellevue: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.
Exemptions2 rules
  • Bellevue: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).
  • Bellevue exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays, Bed and Breakfasts (strictly regulated Home Occupations).

How to get permitted

Step-by-step guide for Bellevue

0/3
steps completed
Step 1

Zoning Verification

Check the Bellevue Land Use Code to confirm your property is in a zone where 'Transient Lodging' is a permitted use. It is prohibited in all 'R' (Residential) zones.

1 dayFree
Documents needed
  • Property address
  • Zoning map access
Official resource
Step 2

Obtain State Tax ID

Register your business with the Washington State Department of Revenue to receive a Unified Business Identifier (UBI) number.

1 week$50
Documents needed
  • SSN or FEIN
  • Business ownership info
Official resource
Step 3

Apply for Bellevue Business License

Apply for a general business license through the FileLocal portal. If operating transient lodging, you must register as a 'Hotel/Motel' or 'Transient Lodging' provider.

2 weeks$105
Documents needed
  • State UBI number
  • Property details
Official resource

Frequently asked questions

4 answered

Disclaimer

Regulatory information is AI-researched from public city/county codes for educational purposes. Details may be outdated or incomplete. Always verify requirements directly with your city/county planning department before operating a short-term rental.

Researched & verified by Learn STR at GoStudioM

Related Content

Other Washington markets
Lake ChelanModerate

Short-term rentals are strictly regulated in the City of Lake Chelan under Chapter 5.

· Permit· 0.1% tax
Ocean ShoresModerate

Ocean Shores requires all short-term rentals to obtain a specific STR license (Chapter 5.

· Permit· 0.1% tax
AnacortesStrict

Short-term rentals are permitted in the City of Anacortes subject to a mandatory land-use permit...

· Permit· 0.1% tax
Walla WallaStrict

Short-term rentals in the City of Walla Walla are regulated under Title 20.

· Permit· 0.1% tax