The city of Seattle is proposing some big changes to short-term housing rentals that may make your AirBNB dreams a nightmare.
In an effort to stop Seattle property owners from renting out their secondary homes or investment properties as hotel rooms the city is planning on capping the number of days you can rent a property as a short-term rental at 90. You would be ale to continue renting part of your primary residence year-round such as a extra bedroom or mother-in-law / ADU unit.
The city feels that consumer demand for AirBNB and VRBO services is contributing heavily to the short supply of long-term rentals in the city.
Do you think the city is over-stepping their bounds? Shouldn't property owners be able to rent their property as they see fit? What about the seniors that only leave in Seattle in the summer and maintain a second residence for the winter? Would they not be able to rent their Seattle home for more than 90 days as an income source?
The city is also going to require property owners of short-term rentals to license and register their rental businesses. I always wondered how short-term renters were getting around the motel and hotel licensing and public health laws. Maybe they will not be able to anymore.
Here is a link from an article in the West Seattle Blog regarding this new proposal.