Do you own a rental property in Seattle? Read this!

Editor’s note: This post has been updated with current RRIO fees, renewal cycle, and inspection requirements, as these have changed materially since 2015.

If you own rental property in Seattle, you’re required to register it with the City through the Rental Registration and Inspection Ordinance (RRIO) — and I still talk to landlords, including clients with just one rental home, who have no idea this applies to them. Here’s what the program actually requires today.

Who has to register?

Nearly every residential rental property in Seattle must register with the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections (SDCI) — from a single-family home with one tenant to large apartment buildings. This includes accessory dwelling units (ADUs and DADUs). There are some exceptions, including commercial lodging and housing owned by government agencies. You’re required to register as soon as you have a tenant in the space.

Does RRIO apply to short-term rentals?

Yes. Since January 2019, RRIO has applied to short-term rentals — Airbnb, VRBO, and similar platforms — that aren’t owner-occupied. If you own a property and rent it out short-term without living there yourself, it’s treated the same as a traditional long-term rental under this ordinance and must be registered.

Owner-occupied short-term rentals — for example, renting out a room or an ADU in a home you actually live in — are generally exempt, since RRIO is aimed at non-owner-occupied rental housing. If you’re unsure whether your specific setup qualifies as owner-occupied, SDCI’s RRIO Helpline can confirm before you register (or decide not to).

This distinction matters for investors specifically: a Seattle property purchased as a pure short-term rental investment — where you don’t live on-site — needs to be registered and inspected just like a long-term rental, with the same fees and renewal cycle described below.

What does registration cost, and how often do I renew?

As of January 2026, registration costs $126 for a property, which covers the first rental unit, plus $31.50 for each additional unit at the same property. Registration is valid for 2 years, and SDCI will reach out roughly 60 days before your certificate expires. Renewal costs the same as your initial registration.

Once approved, you’re required to post your registration certificate in a common area of the property or give a copy to each tenant.

What about inspections?

Registered properties are inspected at least once every 5 to 10 years to confirm basic safety and health standards are met. You can hire a City inspector or a qualified private inspector from SDCI’s published list. As of January 2026, a City inspection costs $241.50 for the property and first unit, plus $52.50 for each additional unit, and includes up to two follow-up re-inspections at no extra charge. If you use a private inspector, there’s also a $63 filing fee to process the results with the City. For multi-unit properties, you can choose to have every unit inspected or a random 20% sample.

What happens if I don’t register?

Late fees are steep and can run $150 per day for the first 10 days, then $500 per day until the property is registered. If you’re trying to evict a tenant and your property isn’t registered, the City will freeze the eviction process until you can prove registration is complete.

If you own investment property in Seattle — or anywhere in Washington State — and want to talk through financing options, refinancing, or how rental registration requirements might affect your plans, I’m happy to help.

👉 Read: Mortgages for Investment Property in Washington

Last reviewed: July 2026