Are short-term rentals allowed in Seattle, WA?

Allowed with site-plan review

Industrial development is clearly supported by Seattle's code structure, and the code includes a Major Phased Development pathway for very large sites, but project-level feasibility still depends on the specific industrial zone and overlay conditions.

Confidence: medium · Last researched May 2026

Short-Term Rental rules

Short-term rentals require city licensing and are limited in scale for most operators.

  • Operator must have a Seattle business license tax certificate
  • Operator must obtain a short-term rental regulatory license through the Seattle Services Portal
  • The fee is $75 per unit and must be renewed annually
  • The short-term rental license number must be posted on every listing
  • Most operators may operate two units: the operator's primary residence and one secondary unit
  • The primary unit may be an attached or detached accessory dwelling unit (ADU or DADU) or an in-law apartment contained within a larger housing unit
  • Rented rooms without their own kitchens and bathrooms do not count toward the two-unit limit and do not require an additional license
  • Some special provisions apply to legally operating legacy units prior to Sept. 30, 2017

Related questions

Are short-term rentals allowed in Seattle, WA?

Short-term rentals require city licensing and are limited in scale for most operators.

What zoning districts are in Seattle, WA?

Seattle, WA includes districts such as Lowrise multifamily zones (revised by Ordinance 123495), Industrial zones.

Are there flood zones or overlay districts in Seattle, WA?

Environmental constraints are a significant factor in Seattle's development review based on the provided sources. Floodplain areas are expressly regulated, and SDCI's pre-application site visit process flags environmentally critical areas, wetlands, shoreline areas, drainage patterns, trees, and mapped steep slope area…

Full investor analysis

The full Seattle, WA report covers where short-term rentals are permitted, the registration/permit path, and recent policy direction that could tighten the rules. First town report is free.

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More about Seattle, WA zoning

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This summary is AI-generated from public municipal sources and is not legal, engineering, or land-use advice. Always verify zoning with Seattle, WA officials before making decisions.

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