Seattle Passes Regulations on Airbnb, Other Home Share Rentals
by Richard D'Ambrosio /
Seattle City Council unanimously passed a third and final set of regulations on short-term rentals, setting in motion new rules for companies like Airbnb and VRBO, and the hosts who rent through them.
All new home share hosts will be limited to operating only two short-term rental units, including their primary residence and another dwelling, and will have to obtain licenses to do so. Grandfathered in are owners in the downtown Seattle hotel district operating more than two short-term rentals prior to Sept. 30, 2017.
In addition, platforms like Airbnb, HomeAway, and VRBO are now required to obtain a special “platform license” to operate online exchanges for short-term rentals in Seattle. The city is still determining the structure and costs for these fees.
Local residents and the lodging industry have been complaining about property owners who have been buying up downtown condo units and renting them out as short-term rentals, causing rental market rates to rise rapidly for Seattle residents.
The council’s vote this week follows their approval in November of legislation approving a short-term rental tax of $8 per night for rooms and $14 per night for dwellings.
“Treating short-term rentals with an equal commitment to the safety of visitors is the right thing to do, and it will ensure that Seattle remains a safe and welcoming place for guests, wherever they choose to stay,” said Shannon Sheron, president, Seattle Hotel Association.
“It’s very gratifying to see Seattle come together on an important issue,” Sheron added. “We are pleased that, with today’s vote, Seattle short-term rentals will have to be licensed, will pay appropriate taxes, and will provide commonsense protections for visiting guests.”
In a statement Airbnb said it felt the final set of rules “is a landmark win for Airbnb hosts and guests. These rules ensure the overwhelming majority of our hosts can continue to share their homes and earn extra money. Airbnb applauds the City of Seattle for developing a model regulatory framework and we look forward to continuing to work with the city as this new law is implemented.”
The city will finalize all of the details around the legislation during the coming year, so that all of the rules will be fully effective Jan. 1, 2019.