| Rule | Details |
|---|---|
| Regulatory Status | Restricted — rules apply |
| Permit / License Required | Yes — Business License + Home Occupation Permit (for room-only in SFH); whole single-family homes and ADUs CANNOT be STRs |
| Tax Rate | City Lodging Tax 6% + WA State Sales Tax 6.5% + King County Lodging Tax 2.8% = ~15.3% combined |
| Night / Day Cap | Multifamily: max 5 STR units per building and ≤20% of total units |
| Permit Fee | Business license fee |
| Penalties | Standard city enforcement; contact Bellevue Development Services for fine schedule |
| Primary Residence Required | No |
Short-term rentals in Bellevue, Washington are allowed but subject to significant restrictions under local regulations as of 2026. Hosts operating on Airbnb, VRBO, or other vacation rental platforms must obtain proper licensing: Yes — Business License + Home Occupation Permit (for room-only in SFH); whole single-family homes and ADUs CANNOT be STRs. The associated permit fees are Business license fee.
Short-term rental operators in Bellevue should be aware of these tax obligations: City Lodging Tax 6% + WA State Sales Tax 6.5% + King County Lodging Tax 2.8% = ~15.3% combined.
Key operational rules for vacation rental hosts in Bellevue include: Primary residence requirement: No. Rental day cap: Multifamily: max 5 STR units per building and ≤20% of total units.
Zoning considerations for short-term rentals in Bellevue: Entire SFH and ADUs prohibited from STR use; only rooms in owner-occupied SFH (Home Occupation Permit) or multifamily allowed. Density rules: Max 5 STR units per building; ≤20% of total multifamily units; SFH whole-home STR banned.
Hosts who fail to comply with Bellevue's short-term rental regulations may face enforcement action. Standard city enforcement; contact Bellevue Development Services for fine schedule.
Apply for your STR permit or registration directly through the official government portal.
Official Source ↗Airbnb and short-term rentals are legal in Bellevue but subject to restrictions. Hosts must comply with local permit requirements and zoning rules. IMPORTANT: Entire single-family homes and ADUs CANNOT be used as STRs in Bellevue. Only individual rooms in owner-occupied SFH (with Home Occupation Permit) or eligible multifamily units allowed. Mult
Yes. Bellevue requires the following for short-term rental operation: Yes — Business License + Home Occupation Permit (for room-only in SFH); whole single-family homes and ADUs CANNOT be STRs.
Short-term rental hosts in Bellevue are subject to the following tax obligations: City Lodging Tax 6% + WA State Sales Tax 6.5% + King County Lodging Tax 2.8% = ~15.3% combined.
Hosts who operate without proper permits in Bellevue may face enforcement. Standard city enforcement; contact Bellevue Development Services for fine schedule.
SFH whole-home and ADU STRs banned; rooms-only in owner-occupied SFH with Home Occupation Permit; multifamily capped at 5 units/20%; 15.3% combined tax.
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