Seattle STR non-primary/primary res

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Seattle STR non-primary/primary res

Gulliver R.
Rental Property Investor · Seattle, WA · Member since 2016 · 524 posts · 148 votes

Hi All,

I'm planning on securing a property in Seattle WA for the purpose of a STR unit. But on the Seattle.gov website it says one STR unit must be my primary residence. I don't actually intent on living in the unit. So how do I prove to the city of Seattle that this STR unit will be my primary residence? Do I just need a Seattle City Light bill with my name on it and the address of the property?

I know it can be done because I've met investors that have STR units in Seattle and they don't live in any of them. So what's the work around here?

Thanks in advance!

Gulliver

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Jess Haas
Realtor · Seattle, WA · Member since 2019 · 117 posts · 165 votes
7y

Taken from the  Seattle.gov website:

"If you have an operator's license, you may operate up to two dwelling units you own as short-term rentals. If you operate two dwelling units as STRs, one must be your primary residence. The other may be located in another dwelling unit you own. You may rent out the entire dwelling unit or just a portion of it, such as a bedroom or an accessory apartment."

You can have 2 short term rentals. One can be separate from your primary residence and one has to be within your primary residence. My husband and I have 1 STR in west Seattle. We can only have 1 more and it would have to be in/at our primary residence(ADU, room, house etc).

Fun fact it's per couple. We originally thought we could each have 1 off site STR(total 2 offsites for both of us). When Seattle came out with the regulation. We found out you can only have 1 per couple.

Hope that helps. Sounds like your situation will work.

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  • Eric P.
    New York City, NY · Member since 2016 · 470 posts · 348 votes
    7y
    Originally posted by @Gulliver R.:

    Hi All,

    I'm planning on securing a property in Seattle WA for the purpose of a STR unit. But on the Seattle.gov website it says one STR unit must be my primary residence. I don't actually intent on living in the unit. So how do I prove to the city of Seattle that this STR unit will be my primary residence? Do I just need a Seattle City Light bill with my name on it and the address of the property?

    I know it can be done because I've met investors that have STR units in Seattle and they don't live in any of them. So what's the work around here?

    Thanks in advance!

    Gulliver

    Asking how to break the law on a public forum? Not a great idea.....

    I’ll tell you how other people are doing it - by breaking the law! I’m no lawyer, so take my advice with a grain of salt: don’t break the law!! It often doesn’t end well..... 

    1Reply
  • Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
    7y

    It could be they are breaking the law or it could be they were grandfathered in when the new law was enacted.

    if the current law says you have to reside in the property then that's what you should do.

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  • Gulliver R.
    OP
    Rental Property Investor · Seattle, WA · Member since 2016 · 524 posts · 148 votes
    7y

    Well if what I'm asking can't be done legally (or some kind of work-around/loop hole), then I won't do it.

    0Reply
  • Michael BaumPro Member
    Olympia, WA · Member since 2016 · 8k+ posts · 7k+ votes
    7y

    Good call @Gulliver R.. The local Seattle government will find out and fine you huge. They have a tattle on your neighbor for not recycling program for goodness sakes. 

    0Reply
  • Jess Haas
    Realtor · Seattle, WA · Member since 2019 · 117 posts · 165 votes
    7y

    Taken from the  Seattle.gov website:

    "If you have an operator's license, you may operate up to two dwelling units you own as short-term rentals. If you operate two dwelling units as STRs, one must be your primary residence. The other may be located in another dwelling unit you own. You may rent out the entire dwelling unit or just a portion of it, such as a bedroom or an accessory apartment."

    You can have 2 short term rentals. One can be separate from your primary residence and one has to be within your primary residence. My husband and I have 1 STR in west Seattle. We can only have 1 more and it would have to be in/at our primary residence(ADU, room, house etc).

    Fun fact it's per couple. We originally thought we could each have 1 off site STR(total 2 offsites for both of us). When Seattle came out with the regulation. We found out you can only have 1 per couple.

    Hope that helps. Sounds like your situation will work.

    2Reply
  • Gulliver R.
    OP
    Rental Property Investor · Seattle, WA · Member since 2016 · 524 posts · 148 votes
    7y

    Good news! I just read on the seattle.gov website under STR rules and regulations that I can have just one STR unit that is non-primary in nature as long as I have a business license, STR operator's license, and an RRIO registration.

    1Reply
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