Short Term Rentals Seattle owners must keep in mind the important requirements when operating STRs in the city. There are limits as to how many units a short-term rental operator may operate. Seattle limits most operators to two units total. These include the operator’s primary residence and one secondary unit where the operator does not live. By understanding these rules, operators can stay compliant and avoid enforcement actions when offering short term rentals Seattle.
Understanding Operator Licensing Rules in Seattle
Seattle issues short-term rental licenses to operators rather than to individual listings alone. This means the City regulates who operates the rental, not just the listing itself. An operator can be a single person, a marital unit, a group of people, or a corporate entity such as an LLC. Because of this structure, Seattle limits the number of units that any one operator can operate. During the licensing process, operators must include the addresses of specific units connected to their operator license. As a result, operators must carefully track which units they operate under their license.
Seattle Short-Term Rental Unit Limits Explained
Most short-term rental operators may operate two units. First, an operator may operate the primary residence, which is the dwelling where the operator lives. Second, an operator may operate one secondary unit in which the operator does not live. In addition, the primary unit may include an attached or detached accessory dwelling unit (ADU or DADU) or an in-law apartment contained within a larger housing unit. However, operators may not exceed the two-unit limit allowed under Seattle’s ordinance.
What Counts as a Rental Unit Under Seattle Rules
Seattle distinguishes between full dwelling units and rented rooms. Most operators may operate up to two dwelling units total under the ordinance. These dwelling units can include apartments, condominiums, townhouses, and detached houses. Because these are separate housing units, they count toward the operator’s maximum unit limit.
Rooms for Rent Do Not Count Toward Unit Limits
Seattle also clarifies that rented rooms without their own kitchens and bathrooms do not count toward an operator’s two units. Therefore, operators do not need an additional license for these rooms. Instead, the operator license for the primary or secondary residence covers them. For example, if an operator rents multiple rooms in the same home through a short-term rental platform, the operator needs only one STR license for the primary residence, and that license covers all qualifying rooms. This rule is especially helpful for operators offering furnished short term rentals inside their home.
Primary Residence Requirements for Seattle Operators
A primary residence is the dwelling where the operator lives. Most operators may operate one primary residence as a short-term rental unit under Seattle’s ordinance. In addition, the primary unit may be an attached ADU, a detached DADU, or an in-law apartment contained within a larger housing unit. However, operators may associate only one primary residence with their license. This requirement ensures operators stay within the City’s unit limits.
Renting Rooms Inside a Primary Residence
When an operator rents rooms inside a primary residence, those rooms do not count as separate units if they do not have their own kitchens and bathrooms. As a result, the primary residence license covers those rooms. This allows operators to rent multiple rooms without increasing the total unit count. Therefore, room rentals remain a common way to operate legally while maximizing space.
Accessory Dwelling Units and Seattle STR Rules
Seattle allows accessory dwelling units to operate as short-term rental units. The primary unit may be an attached or detached accessory dwelling unit (ADU or DADU). Because these units qualify as dwelling units, they count toward the operator’s two-unit limit. Operators may operate a primary residence and one secondary unit, but they may not exceed two total units. This structure helps ensure STR activity remains limited under the ordinance.
Detached ADUs and Backyard Cottages
Seattle treats detached ADUs, also referred to as DADUs, as dwelling units that count toward the operator’s unit limit. Therefore, each detached ADU counts toward the two-unit maximum. In addition, operators must include the address of each detached ADU on the operator license. This helps the City track unit compliance more effectively.
Secondary Units and RRIO Compliance Requirements
A secondary unit is a short-term rental unit where the operator does not live. Most operators may operate only one secondary unit. Additionally, an STR that is neither a primary residence nor a portion of that residence must be registered and compliant with Seattle’s Rental Registration and Inspection Ordinance (RRIO). Because of this requirement, operators must ensure secondary units meet RRIO standards before operating legally.
License Posting Rules for Short-Term Rental Listings
Seattle requires operators to post a short-term rental license number on every listing advertising or offering a short-term rental unit. This includes listings on platforms such as Airbnb, Vrbo, and similar services. By posting the license number, operators show compliance with Seattle’s licensing rules.
Required License Format for Listings
Seattle also requires operators to display the license number in the correct format: STR-OPLI-##-######. Platforms may remove listings if the license number is not formatted correctly. Therefore, operators must ensure each listing includes a valid license number in the required format. This rule supports compliance for short term rentals Seattle across booking platforms.
Platform Reporting Requirements for STR Companies
Seattle requires short-term rental platforms to submit monthly and quarterly reports to the City. These reports include information about licensed operators, listed units, booking activity, and required fees. As a result, platform reporting supports Seattle’s enforcement of operator licensing compliance.
Legacy Units Operating Before September 30, 2017
For operators who have been legally operating short-term rental units prior to Sept. 30, 2017, special provisions apply. Operators who operate one or more legacy units must upload documentation demonstrating its use as a short-term rental within the 12-month period prior to Sept. 30, 2017. This documentation is often referred to as a rental registry. Therefore, operators must prepare records before applying for legacy unit approval.
Annual Renewal and Enforcement Actions
Short-term rental operator licenses are valid for 12 months from the date they are issued. Because of this, operators must renew their license annually. Under provisions of the Seattle Municipal Code, failure to maintain the required regulatory license while operating may result in enforcement actions. Therefore, operators should track renewal deadlines carefully.
Frequently Asked Questions About Short-Term Rentals in Seattle
How many short-term rental units may an operator operate in Seattle
Most short-term rental operators may operate two units: the operator’s primary residence and one secondary unit.
Do accessory dwelling units count toward the unit limit
Yes. The primary unit may be an attached or detached accessory dwelling unit (ADU or DADU), and these count toward the operator’s two-unit limit.
Do rented rooms require an additional STR license
No. Rented rooms without their own kitchens and bathrooms do not count toward an operator’s two units and are covered by the primary or secondary residence license.
Benefits of Professional Short-Term Rental Management Services
Operating legally in Seattle requires compliance with licensing rules, unit limits, annual renewal obligations, RRIO requirements, and license posting rules. Because these responsibilities take time and careful attention, professional short term rental management services help operators manage compliance while maintaining smooth operations. Companies like Beenstay support operators with licensing coordination, listing accuracy, guest communication, and operational assistance for long-term success in short term rentals Seattle.