Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Seattle?

**Yes**, Seattle requires a Short-Term Rental Regulatory License to operate legally. You need to obtain this license, which costs $75 per year, in addition to a general business license. Make sure to display your license number on all listings to avoid potential fines. (53 words)

What is the TOT tax rate in Seattle?

**7% TOT** is the current tax rate for short-term rentals in Seattle. You are responsible for collecting this tax from your guests and remitting it to the city, though platforms like Airbnb often handle this 7% portion for you. Be sure to factor this into your pricing strategy. (55 words)

Are short-term rentals allowed in Seattle?

**Yes**, short-term rentals are allowed in Seattle, but they are subject to specific regulations. You are generally limited to operating a maximum of two units, and one of these must be your primary residence. Certain 'Legacy' operators may be grandfathered in from before 2017 with different rules. (53 words)

Do I need to live in my property to rent it on Airbnb in Seattle?

**Yes**, Seattle generally requires that one of your short-term rental properties is your primary residence. This means you must live in the property for the majority of the year. There are some exceptions for 'Legacy' operators who were operating before 2017, who may not have this requirement. (53 words)

Can renters host on Airbnb in Seattle?

**Yes**, tenants in Seattle are generally allowed to host on Airbnb, provided they meet all other regulatory requirements. You, as a renter, must obtain the necessary licenses, including the Short-Term Rental Regulatory License, and comply with all tax obligations. Additionally, ensure you have permission from your landlord. (53 words)

Seattle, WA Short-Term Rental Laws & Regulations

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Forensically verified with 3+ official sources

Verified: Jan 30, 2026

5 Official Sources

Summary

Seattle requires all short-term rental operators to obtain both a general business license and a specific STR regulatory license ($75/year). Operators are generally limited to two units, one of which must be their primary residence, unless they are 'Legacy' operators grandfathered in from before 2017.

Restriction Level

⚠️

Moderate

Score: 16 (restrictive)

Why this classification:

•Limited to 2 properties per owner
•Permit required
•Reporting required
•No night cap
•No primary residence requirement
•Tenants can host

In Plain English

To host an Airbnb in Seattle, you need to register for two separate licenses: a general city business license and a special Short-Term Rental (STR) license. You are limited to renting out a maximum of two properties, and for most new hosts, one of those properties must be your primary home. You must also collect a 7% Seattle STR tax in addition to standard sales taxes, though platforms like Airbnb often handle the 7% part for you. Finally, you must include your license number on your public listing to avoid fines.

At a Glance

Permit Required

Yes

Night Limit

None

Primary Residence

Not Required

Total Tax Rate

0.2%

Permit Fee

$75

Processing Time

1-2 weeks

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

1.You cannot host in an RV, tent, or boat within Seattle city limits.
2.The 2-unit limit includes your primary residence if you rent it out partially.
3.A 7% city tax is required ON TOP of the standard 10.25% sales/convention tax.
4.If you are in an apartment or condo, you must verify your building doesn't prohibit STRs separately.
5.Failure to post your license number on your listing can result in a $500/day fine.
6.The 'Legacy' exception only applies to specific units in certain downtown/high-density zones operated before Sept 2017.
7.Primary residence must be verified via government ID or voter registration.

Regulation Details

Eligibility(10)

•Seattle prohibits STRs in the following property types: Floating homes, Houseboats, RVs, Tents, Garages, Boats, Live-work units, Caretaker quarters.
•Seattle rent control/RSO note: Primary residence units are exempt from RRIO; secondary units must register.

Requirements(16)

•Common mistakes and gotchas for STR hosts in Seattle: 1. You cannot host in Seattle as a renter (non-owner) unless your unit is in the Downtown Urban Core and was active before 2017. 2. Houseboats and floating on-water residences are strictly prohibited from being used as short-term rentals. 3. You must wait at least 48 hours after getting your Business License before the system will allow you to apply for the STR Operator License. 4. Secondary units (not your primary home) require a RRIO inspection, but you can apply for the STR license before the inspection happens. 5. The license number must be displayed in the specific format: STR-OPLI-##-######. 6. If you have more than two units, you must convert the extras to long-term rentals (30+ days). 7. Failure to have a license results in a $500 fine for the first day and $1,000 per day thereafter.

Application Process(9)

•Seattle STR permit - Step 2: Register with RRIO (Secondary Units Only). If the unit is not your primary residence, you must register with the Rental Registration and Inspection Ordinance program. Required documents: Property details. Time: 1 week. Cost: 70.

Fees & Costs(1)

•Seattle charges a registration fee of $75 (annual). Extended/additional fee: $71 (A Seattle Business License Tax Certificate is also required ($71-$73 for revenue <$20k).).

Taxes(2)

•Seattle charges a Retail Sales Tax (Combined State/Local) of 10.35%. This applies to stays under 30 days. Platforms like Airbnb collect and remit this tax. Note: Platforms remit the $4/night operator fee and sales taxes; hosts remit B&O tax (0.471%).
•Washington has a state sales tax of 6.5% that applies to STR rentals.

Limits & Restrictions(3)

•Seattle enforces quiet hours: 10:00 PM to 7:00 AM.
•Seattle occupancy calculation: Standard occupancy limits per building code apply.. Count your bedrooms to determine your max guest limit.
•Seattle limits stays to a maximum of 29 nights.

Safety Requirements(1)

•Seattle requires the following safety measures for STRs: smoke detectors, CO detectors, fire extinguisher, fire inspection, posted maximum occupancy, posted emergency contact, Must meet basic habitability standards per RRIO (if applicable).

Penalties(3)

•Seattle: Failure to have a license results in a $500 fine for the first day and $1,000 per day thereafter.
•Seattle: Repeated violations can result in permanent permit revocation. You would lose the ability to operate any STR.

Exemptions(2)

•Seattle exempts the following from STR regulations: long-term rentals (30+ days), extended stays, Legacy units operated prior to Sept 30, 2017 in specific Urban Centers.
•Seattle: Rentals of 30+ days are generally NOT considered short-term rentals and may be exempt from STR regulations (but may have other requirements).

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Disclaimer

Regulatory information is AI-researched 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.

Seattle

Gold Standard Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

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Regulation Details

Eligibility(10)

Requirements(16)

Application Process(9)

Fees & Costs(1)

Taxes(2)

Limits & Restrictions(3)

Safety Requirements(1)

Penalties(3)

Exemptions(2)

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Step-by-Step Application Guide

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Seattle

Gold Standard Verification

Summary

Restriction Level

Why this classification:

In Plain English

At a Glance

7 Things Hosts Often Miss

Step-by-Step Application Guide

Upgrade to Pro

Frequently Asked Questions

1Do I need a permit for short-term rentals in Seattle?

2What is the TOT tax rate in Seattle?

3Are short-term rentals allowed in Seattle?

4Do I need to live in my property to rent it on Airbnb in Seattle?

5Can renters host on Airbnb in Seattle?

Related Content

Other Washington Markets

Lake Chelan

Ocean Shores

Anacortes

Walla Walla