Seattle Short-Term Rental Regulations
Last verified: 2026-03-26
TL;DR
Seattle requires Short-Term Rental Operator License ($75) with no primary-residence requirement.
Combined tax rate is 15.7% + $2.00/night + 0.471% B&O.
No annual day limit, but each stay must be fewer than 30 consecutive nights. Disclaimer
This information is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or regulatory advice. Short-term rental regulations change frequently. Always verify current requirements with your local government before listing your property or making investment decisions.
Key Requirements at a Glance
| Permit | ✓ Required — Short-Term Rental Operator License ($75) |
| Primary Residence | Not required |
| Annual Day Limit | No limit — fewer than 30 consecutive nights |
| Tax Rate | 15.7% + $2.00/night + 0.471% B&O |
| Max Penalty | $1,000 per violation per day |
| Insurance | $1,000,000 liability required |
New to short-term rentals? Jump to the compliance checklist →
Permit & Licensing
Short-Term Rental Operator License
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Initial cost | $75 |
| Renewal | $75 / 1 year |
This permit type does not require primary residence.
Application Process
- Obtain valid Seattle business license tax certificate
- Register non-primary residence units with RRIO
- File operator license application with Director
- Submit signed declaration of compliance
- Pay $75 per dwelling unit fee
- Post license number (format STR-OPLI-##-######) on every listing
- Renew annually via Seattle Services Portal
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Tax Obligations
| Tax | Rate | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Combined Sales Tax | 8.7% | State of Washington |
| Convention Center Tax | 7% | King County |
| Tourism Promotion Area Charge | $2.00/night | City of Seattle |
| Business & Occupation Tax | 0.471% | State of Washington |
Combined rate: 15.7% + $2.00/night + 0.471% B&O of gross rental income.
Collection: Major platforms (Airbnb, etc.) collect and remit state lodging taxes automatically; operators must verify platform coverage and self-remit any taxes not collected by platform
Filing: Monthly or quarterly depending on volume
Rental Limits
Seattle does not impose an annual cap on the number of nights you can rent. Each individual stay must be fewer than 30 consecutive nights.
Occupancy & Density Limits
Household definition: up to 8 unrelated persons
Zoning & Restrictions
- Allowed in most structures established as dwelling units
- Prohibited in live-work units
- Prohibited in commercial/industrial buildings with caretaker's quarters
- Prohibited in RVs, tents, garages, boats
- Prohibited in houseboats, waterfront residences
- Prohibited in areas prohibited by Shoreline Code
Insurance & Safety
Insurance
Operators must maintain at least $1,000,000 in liability insurance covering the property's use as a short-term rental.
Safety & Operating Requirements
- Working smoke detectors in every bedroom and on all habitable floors
- Carbon monoxide alarms in every bedroom and on all habitable floors
- Properly maintained and charged fire extinguisher
- Post emergency contact information for police, fire, and EMS
- Post floor plan indicating fire exits and escape routes
- Post street address of short-term rental
- Post maximum occupancy limits
- Post operator or local contact information
- Post Customer Service Bureau contact info for complaints
Penalties for Non-Compliance
$500 fine → $1,000 fine (second and subsequent violations within 5 years) → $513 fine (operating without business license tax certificate) → $150–$500 per day for code violations (plus inspection charges) → Misdemeanor charge (2+ citations within 3 years)
Platforms face $1,000 per day per listing after 10 days of non-compliance.
Platform Requirements
- Must possess valid platform license
- Require operators to submit license application or include license number in listings
- Remove listings upon notification by Department
- Submit monthly reports by 15th: licensed operators, units, URLs
- Submit quarterly reports (Jan 15, Apr 15, Jul 15, Oct 15): operator/booking numbers
- Pay quarterly platform fees (Jan 30, Apr 30, Jul 30, Oct 30): $4.00 per night booked
- Inform operators of tax collection responsibilities
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Compliance Checklist
Follow these steps to legally operate a short-term rental in Seattle:
- Meet safety requirements. Working smoke detectors in every bedroom and on all habitable floors. Carbon monoxide alarms in every bedroom and on all habitable floors. Properly maintained and charged fire extinguisher. Post emergency contact information for police, fire, and EMS. Post floor plan indicating fire exits and escape routes. Post street address of short-term rental. Post maximum occupancy limits. Post operator or local contact information. Post Customer Service Bureau contact info for complaints.
- Obtain liability insurance. $1,000,000 minimum.
- Apply for Short-Term Rental Operator License. Submit application + $75 fee.
- Register for tax accounts. Set up hotel occupancy tax accounts with the city tax authority.
- Display your permit number. Include your permit/license number in all listings and advertisements.
- Collect and remit taxes. 15.7% + $2.00/night + 0.471% B&O on all bookings.
- Renew annually. $75 renewal fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do you need a permit to run an Airbnb in Seattle?
- Yes. Operating a short-term rental — including an Airbnb or Vrbo — in Seattle requires a Short-Term Rental Operator License.
- How much does a short-term rental permit cost in Seattle?
- A Short-Term Rental Operator License in Seattle costs $75 per year.
- Does Seattle require a short-term rental to be your primary residence?
- No. Seattle allows non-owner-occupied short-term rentals, so investment properties can qualify provided you hold the required permit.
- How many days a year can you short-term rent in Seattle?
- Seattle does not cap the number of nights per year you can short-term rent, though permitting, zoning, and occupancy rules still apply.
- What taxes do you pay on a short-term rental in Seattle?
- Short-term rental stays in Seattle are subject to a combined 15.7% in lodging taxes. This combines 8.7% Combined Sales Tax + 7% Convention Center Tax + $2.00/night Tourism Promotion Area Charge + 0.471% Business & Occupation Tax. The host is responsible for collecting and remitting them.
- What happens if you run a short-term rental without a permit in Seattle?
- Operating without a permit can cost up to $1,000 per violation per day.
Tools for Short-Term Rental Hosts
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