How does Seattle, WA define a short-term (Airbnb) rental (STR)?
- A residential dwelling that consists of a condo, house, or apartment, either in its entirety or a portion thereof.
- Any transient lodging option where the property is rented to guests for stays of fewer than 30 consecutive days.
Please note that in the following information the terms “Short-term rental” and “vacation rental” are exchangeable.
Source: Seattle STR Information
Can investors own more than one vacation rental property in Seattle, WA?
Yes. However, investors in Seattle, WA can only own and operate up to two vacation rental properties as short-term (Airbnb) rentals. If an investor holds an operator’s license, they can use one of their dwelling units as their primary residence and rent out the other unit. The rental can be for the entire dwelling unit or a portion of it, such as a bedroom or an accessory apartment. However, the total number of vacation rental properties an investor can own and operate is limited to two.
Source: Seattle Business Regulations STR Info
Does Seattle, WA have any zoning restrictions for STRs?
Yes, Seattle, WA has zoning restrictions for Short-Term Rentals (STRs). The zoning restrictions include limitations on lodging activities in certain areas such as non-dwelling units, shoreline areas, commercial or industrial buildings (except for permitted caretaker’s quarters), and live-work units.
Source: Seattle STR Information
In Seattle, WA can an investor own and operate their Airbnb property as a business entity?
Yes, in Seattle, WA, an investor can own and operate their Airbnb property as a business entity. The city’s short-term rental ordinance allows operators, which can be individuals, groups of people, or corporate entities like LLCs, to own and operate short-term (Airbnb) rental units. The licensing process requires operators to include the addresses of specific units on their operator license, and there are limits on the number of units that each operator can operate.
Source: Seattle Business Regulations STR Info
In Seattle, WA, can investors register accessory dwelling units (ADU), duplexes, and multifamily homes as Vacation Rentals?
Yes, in Seattle, WA, investors can register accessory dwelling units (ADUs), duplexes, and multifamily homes as vacation rentals. The city’s regulations allow the primary unit to be an attached or detached ADU or “in-law” apartment within a larger housing unit. Additionally, rented rooms without their own kitchens and bathrooms do not count towards an operator’s unit count and are covered under the STR operator’s primary or secondary residence license.
