Bellevue Short Term Rental Regulation: A Guide For Airbnb Hosts

What are short term rental (Airbnb, VRBO) regulations in Bellevue, Washington?

If you're considering venturing into the short-term rental (STR) market in Bellevue, Washington, it's crucial to understand the local regulations. The city's land use code and municipal ordinances outline key aspects such as licensing, taxes, safety standards, and occupancy limits for rentals under 30 days. To legally operate an STR in Bellevue, you must file specific documents, including transient accommodations tax forms, hotel/motel tax forms, proof of insurance, and safety inspection certificates1. Additionally, hosts are required to collect and pay various taxes, including sales tax (10.4%), hotel/motel tax (5%), and transient rental tax (2.5%)1.

Furthermore, the regulations stipulate that a single-family home in a single-family residential land use district must be owner-occupied to provide transient lodging or room rentals6. Understanding and adhering to these regulations is essential for a successful and compliant STR business in Bellevue.

Starting a Short Term Rental Business in Bellevue

When considering starting a short-term rental (STR) business in Bellevue, Washington, it's essential to understand the local regulations to ensure compliance and a successful venture. In Bellevue, there is no separate licensing requirement for STRs; however, property owners must register their rental properties with the city and adhere to specific guidelines1.

Here are the key steps and considerations for starting an STR business in Bellevue:

Understand the Regulations: Familiarize yourself with the short-term rental regulations in Bellevue, which cover aspects such as licensing, taxes, safety standards, and occupancy limits for rentals under 30 days. These rules are set at both the city and state level and can be found in Bellevue's land use code, municipal code, and ordinances1.

Compliance and Registration: Property owners must register their rental properties with the city and ensure compliance with the regulations. This may include providing safety features such as smoke detectors and adhering to maximum occupancy limits based on the number of bedrooms and bathrooms12.

Business License and Taxes: All hosts must have a business license and pay taxes for their short-term rental activities in Bellevue. It's important to understand the tax obligations and ensure proper compliance1.

Owner-Occupancy and Room Limitations: In Bellevue, a single-family home in a single-family residential land use district must be owner-occupied to provide transient lodging or room rentals. Additionally, there are limitations on the number of rooms that can be rented out, with hosts being allowed to rent up to two rooms2.

Contact the Relevant Authorities: For further information and to ensure full compliance, property owners can reach out to the Department of Development Services in Bellevue. This can provide clarity on any specific requirements and regulations, and they can be contacted at (425) 452-4570 or via email at Compliance@bellevuewa.gov1.

By following these steps and ensuring adherence to the local regulations, individuals can establish and operate a short-term rental business in Bellevue, Washington, in a compliant and successful manner.

Short Term Rental Licensing Requirement in Bellevue

In Bellevue, Washington, the regulations for short-term rentals, including those on platforms like Airbnb and VRBO, are essential for investors and hosts to understand. These regulations cover various aspects such as licensing, taxes, safety standards, and occupancy limits for rentals under 30 days. To ensure compliance and a successful venture, it's crucial to be well-versed in these rules, which are established at both the city and state levels and can be found in Bellevue's land use code, municipal code, ordinances, and real estate forums.

Short Term Rental Licensing Requirement in Bellevue

To operate a short-term rental in Bellevue, there is no separate licensing requirement. However, hosts must register their rental property with the city and obtain a business license. Additionally, they are required to file a Registration Notice with the Department of Development Services, providing specific details about the property and the nature of the short-term stay use23.

Owner-Occupancy and Rooming House Restrictions

A significant regulation to note is that a single-family home in a single-family residential land use district must be owner-occupied to provide transient lodging or room rentals. Non-owner-occupied single-family homes providing transient lodging or single-room rentals are considered rooming houses and are not allowed in single-family residential areas1.

Occupancy Limits and Safety Requirements

Hosts in Bellevue must adhere to maximum occupancy limits based on the number of bedrooms and bathrooms. Moreover, safety features such as smoke detectors must be provided to ensure the well-being of guests2.

Enforcement and Fines

Bellevue does enforce its short-term rental regulations, although not as strictly as some other cities. The city conducts audits and inspections, and hosts can face fines ranging from $250 to $1000 per violation if the rules are not followed2.

By understanding and following these regulations, hosts can establish and maintain successful short-term rental properties in Bellevue, contributing to a positive and compliant environment for both hosts and guests.

Required Documents for Bellevue Short Term Rentals

To operate an STR in Bellevue, hosts must comply with various city requirements. The following is a complete guideline for Bellevue's short-term rental regulations, which should give you a good start in understanding your local laws13678.

Single-Family House Rentals:

A single-family home is a building that contains only one kitchen. It is specially occupied only by a single-family unless a valid accessory dwelling unit registration is obtained. To get more information about other regulations, you can also visit Bellevue's official website or contact the Department of Development Services1.

Registration Notice:

Hosts must file a Registration Notice with the Department of Development Services, providing specific details about the property and the nature of the short-term stay use23678.

House Rules:

When rules of conduct have been adopted for universal application to all occupants of a development, any person or company providing a short-term stay use shall provide a copy of the rules to each licensee before they move in. Moreover, hosts must post a copy of the rules on their rental unit6.

Other Regulations:

As a responsible host, you must comprehend and abide by other contracts or vacation rental rules and regulations that bind. These include leases, community rules, HOA rules, or other guidelines.

Bellevue Short Term Rental Taxes

Bellevue short-term rental taxes are not explicitly mentioned in the search results. However, hosts should be aware of their tax obligations related to short-term rentals in Washington State. According to the Washington State Department of Revenue, short-term rental operators must collect and remit state and local sales taxes, as well as lodging taxes1.

The City of Bellevue requires hosts to collect and remit the applicable lodging tax to the city7. Hosts should consult with a tax professional or the Washington State Department of Revenue for guidance on tax obligations related to short-term rentals.It's important to note that tax regulations can change frequently, and hosts should stay up-to-date on any changes to tax laws that may affect their short-term rental business.

Washington Statewide Short Term Rental Rules

In Washington state, short-term rental (STR) rules can vary by city. However, there are some general guidelines and restrictions that apply across the state. Here's a summary of the key statewide rules:

Owner-occupancy: In many Washington cities, including Bellevue, a single-family home in a single-family residential land use district must be owner-occupied to provide transient lodging or transient room rentals5.

Limitation on number of units: No more than five units in any building and no more than 20% of the dwelling units comprising a development shall be used for short-term stay use1.

Duration of rentals: Short-term rental guests shall not stay more than fourteen (14) consecutive days in duration7.

Safety standards: Short-term rental properties must meet certain safety standards, such as having a functioning carbon monoxide alarm and a smoke detector in each hallway interconnecting guest rooms7.

Occupancy limits: Each guest room shall have a functioning smoke detector, and no guest room shall have more than four occupants7.

Building code compliance: All short-term rental buildings and units must be in compliance with the applicable building codes7.

It's essential for hosts to be aware of these statewide rules and any additional local regulations in their area. For example, Bellevue has specific limitations on short-term stays in single-family homes and requires a Registration Notice for STRs13. Hosts should consult their local governmental agencies to determine the specific requirements for their

Does Bellevue Strictly Enforce STR Rules?

Bellevue, Washington, enforces its short-term rental (STR) regulations, although not as strictly as some neighboring areas. Hosts can operate successfully by adhering to all rules, as the city conducts audits and inspections. Fines for violations can range from $250 to $100036.The city's regulations, found in the Land Use Code and municipal ordinances, impose limitations on STRs.

For instance, a single-family home in a single-family residential land use district must be owner-occupied to provide transient lodging or room rentals26. Additionally, no more than five units in any building and no more than 20% of the dwelling units comprising a development shall be used for short-term stay use2.Discussions on BiggerPockets and Reddit indicate that Bellevue's enforcement focuses on safety, and hosts who carefully follow regulations have successful STRs in the city6.

However, it's essential for hosts to stay informed about any changes in the regulations and to ensure compliance to avoid potential enforcement actions.These insights provide a clear understanding of the enforcement and operational landscape for short-term rentals in Bellevue, Washington.

How to Start a Short Term Rental Business in Bellevue?

Starting a short-term rental (STR) business in Bellevue requires compliance with local regulations. Here are the steps to get started:

• Familiarize yourself with the Bellevue Land Use Code and the specific regulations for STRs. For instance, a single-family home in a single-family residential land use district must be owner-occupied to provide transient lodging or room rentals12.
• Ensure your property meets the requirements for owner-occupied single-family homes or the limitations on short-term stay use in multifamily units. No more than five units in any building and no more than 20% of the dwelling units comprising a development shall be used for short-term stay use1.
• File a Registration Notice with the Department of Development Services, providing all required information, including the name and address of the building, the number of dwelling units where the registrant provides short-term stay uses, and other relevant information2.
• Comply with any additional regulations or requirements for STRs in Bellevue. For example, hosts must provide safety features like smoke detectors and adhere to maximum occupancy limits based on the number of bedrooms and bathrooms28.
• Obtain a business license and pay taxes5. Hosts must also collect and remit the applicable lodging tax to the city5.
• Ensure compliance with other contracts or vacation rental rules and regulations that bind, such as leases, community rules, HOA rules, or other guidelines8.

By following these steps, individuals can start an STR business in Bellevue while complying with local regulations.

Who to Contact About Bellevue Short Term Rental Regulations?

To learn about zoning and other short term rental rules in Bellevue, contact the city's Code Compliance office:Code Compliance
450 110th Ave NE
Bellevue, WA 98004Phone: 425-452-4570
Email: Compliance@bellevuewa.gov [5]

What do Airbnb hosts in Bellevue on Reddit and Bigger Pockets think about local regulations?

Hosts on Reddit and BiggerPockets have shared their opinions on Bellevue's short-term rental regulations. Here's a summary of their perspectives:

• Bellevue's rules are not considered too restrictive compared to other areas, such as Seattle5.
• Enforcement in Bellevue focuses on safety, and hosts who carefully follow regulations can operate successful short-term rentals5.
• Some hosts have experienced issues with problematic neighbors or tenants, but these cases are not directly related to the city's regulations48.

In general, it seems that hosts in Bellevue can operate successfully within the city's regulations, as long as they follow all rules and guidelines. The city's enforcement efforts primarily focus on safety, and hosts who adhere to these regulations can maintain a positive experience with short-term rentals5.