Seattle Condo Authority Network
16 buildings with documented or reported STR-friendly policies across Seattle. Verified rental cap data and investor notes from Jeff Reynolds.
Tier 1
These 8 buildings have documented rental-friendly policies or no stated rental caps as reported by real estate professionals familiar with each building. Verify all policies at time of purchase.
1415 2nd Ave • Belltown
No stated rental cap; investor-friendly building in Belltown.
2415 2nd Ave • Belltown
No stated rental cap; STR use permitted. Investors active in this building.
1400 Hubbell Place • Belltown / Denny Triangle
STR-friendly reputation. Verify current rental cap status before purchasing.
2324 1st Ave • Belltown
Historic 1929 commercial conversion in Belltown. Known for flexible rental policies.
2132 5th Ave • Belltown
Belltown building with rental-friendly reputation. Confirm current HOA rules.
303 E Pike St • Capitol Hill
Capitol Hill loft community. Rental and STR policy should be confirmed with HOA.
1500 4th Ave • Downtown
Downtown Seattle building with rental-friendly history. Confirm current policy.
1601 N 45th St • Wallingford
Wallingford neighborhood building with documented rental-friendly policies.
Tier 2
These 8 buildings have been reported as rental-friendly or have limited STR use noted, but policies must be independently verified with each HOA before purchase.
215 17th Ave E • Capitol Hill
Smaller Capitol Hill building. STR policy must be confirmed with HOA.
2727 Franklin Ave E • Eastlake
50% rental cap reported. Verify cap status and current availability before purchasing.
750 11th Ave E • Capitol Hill
Capitol Hill building. Rental and STR status must be verified with HOA.
1410 & 1420 E Pine St • Capitol Hill
Two-building Capitol Hill community on E Pine. Confirm rental policy for each building separately.
524 6th Ave W • Queen Anne
Queen Anne building near Seattle Center. Rental policy should be confirmed with HOA.
425 Vine St • Belltown
Belltown building at 425 Vine St. Rental and STR policy must be verified.
Data to be verified • Data to be verified
30-day minimum rental stay reported. This makes traditional Airbnb/VRBO use unlikely but may accommodate medium-term rentals.
1950 Alaskan Way • Downtown / Waterfront
Waterfront location at 1950 Alaskan Way. STR policies vary; confirm directly with HOA.
Know Before You Buy
Short-term rental use in a Seattle condo involves three overlapping rule sets: city regulations, building HOA rules, and platform terms of service.
Seattle requires all STR operators to obtain a city license for any rental under 30 consecutive days. Licenses must be renewed annually and comply with Seattle's STR platform accountability ordinance.
Every condo building's HOA can independently restrict or prohibit STR use, impose minimum lease terms (30, 60, or 90 days), or limit the percentage of units that may be rented at any time. HOA rules supersede city licensing.
Many buildings impose rental caps of 20–50% of total units. When a cap is full, no additional rentals are permitted even if the city license is valid. Ask Jeff for current cap utilization at any building.
Some buildings allow rentals but impose a 30-day minimum stay, which prevents traditional Airbnb/VRBO use but accommodates corporate or medium-term rentals. This is often favored by buildings that want to limit turnover without banning rentals entirely.
Airbnb and VRBO require hosts to confirm they have the right to list the property. Listing a condo in a building that prohibits STR can result in HOA fines, legal action, and platform suspension. Always verify before listing.
Jeff Reynolds requests HOA rental rules, CC&Rs, and recent board minutes during every condo purchase. This due diligence step is critical for any investor buyer and is included in Jeff's standard buyer representation.
Compare All Buildings
All 16 documented STR-related buildings by neighborhood, address, units, policy, and verification status.
| Building | Neighborhood | Address | Units | Rental Policy | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newmark Tower | Belltown | 1415 2nd Ave | Data to be verified | No Rental Cap | ✅ Verified |
| Belltown Court | Belltown | 2415 2nd Ave | Data to be verified | No Rental Cap | ✅ Verified |
| Elektra | Belltown / Denny Triangle | 1400 Hubbell Place | Data to be verified | Verify HOA | ✅ Verified |
| Austin Bell | Belltown | 2324 1st Ave | Data to be verified | Rental-Friendly | ✅ Verified |
| Fifth Avenue Court | Belltown | 2132 5th Ave | Data to be verified | Rental-Friendly | ✅ Verified |
| Pike Lofts | Capitol Hill | 303 E Pike St | Data to be verified | Verify HOA | ✅ Verified |
| Seaboard | Downtown | 1500 4th Ave | Data to be verified | Rental-Friendly | ✅ Verified |
| Wallingford 45 | Wallingford | 1601 N 45th St | Data to be verified | Rental-Friendly | ✅ Verified |
| 215 17th Ave E | Capitol Hill | 215 17th Ave E | Data to be verified | Verify HOA | ⚠ Verify |
| 2727 Franklin Ave E | Eastlake | 2727 Franklin Ave E | Data to be verified | 50% Rental Cap | ⚠ Verify |
| 750 on the Hill | Capitol Hill | 750 11th Ave E | Data to be verified | Verify HOA | ⚠ Verify |
| Braeburn | Capitol Hill | 1410 & 1420 E Pine St | Data to be verified | Verify HOA | ⚠ Verify |
| Elliot Bay | Queen Anne | 524 6th Ave W | Data to be verified | Verify HOA | ⚠ Verify |
| Montreux | Belltown | 425 Vine St | Data to be verified | Verify HOA | ⚠ Verify |
| Shoresmith | Data to be verified | Data to be verified | Data to be verified | 30-Day Min | ⚠ Verify |
| Waterfront Landings | Downtown / Waterfront | 1950 Alaskan Way | Data to be verified | Verify HOA | ⚠ Verify |
✅ Verified = documented by real estate professionals. ⚠ Verify = self-reported or historical; must be confirmed with HOA.
Investment Strategy
Belltown is Seattle's most STR-permissive condo neighborhood, with the highest concentration of buildings that either have no rental cap or have historically been investor-friendly. Newmark Tower, Belltown Court, Austin Bell, and Fifth Avenue Court are the most-cited buildings among investor buyers.
Pioneer Square historic loft buildings are also frequently investor-owned given the neighborhood's long history as an arts and commercial district, though STR policy varies by building. Loft-style units with live-work zoning may have additional regulatory considerations.
For medium-term rentals (30+ days) targeting corporate or relocation tenants, a broader set of Seattle buildings become viable. Furnished Finder, Airbnb Monthly, and VRBO long-term options are available in many buildings that prohibit traditional STR. This strategy suits buildings with 30-day minimums.
Common Questions
Some Seattle condos allow Airbnb and VRBO rentals, but many prohibit them outright or require a minimum rental period of 30, 60, or 90 days. Each building's HOA sets its own rental policy. This page lists buildings with reported or verified STR-friendly policies. All policies must be independently confirmed before purchase. Jeff Reynolds verifies current rental rules during buyer due diligence on every condo transaction.
Seattle requires a short-term rental operator license for any unit rented fewer than 30 consecutive days. Operators must register with the City of Seattle, pay an annual license fee, and list the license number on Airbnb and VRBO. Importantly, city licensing does not override HOA rules. A building that prohibits STR internally cannot be legally listed on Airbnb even with a city license.
Belltown has the highest concentration of documented STR-friendly buildings: Newmark Tower, Belltown Court, Austin Bell, Fifth Avenue Court, and Montreux. Capitol Hill and Downtown also have reported STR-friendly buildings. Pioneer Square loft buildings are historically investor-friendly. Contact Jeff Reynolds for current cap availability by neighborhood.
Request the current HOA CC&Rs, rental rules addendum, and recent board meeting minutes during your due diligence period. Rental policies can change by HOA board vote, sometimes with little notice. Jeff Reynolds requests these documents on every investor buyer transaction. Never rely on listing descriptions or historical data alone to confirm STR eligibility.
A rental cap limits the percentage of units in a building that can be rented at any time, typically 20–50% of all units. When a cap is reached, no new units may be rented until an existing rental unit is owner-occupied again. For STR, the cap applies to the unit being rented overall, not just the platform used. Jeff Reynolds can confirm current cap utilization for any building you're considering.
Your Seattle Condo Specialist
Jeff Reynolds is Seattle's leading specialist in urban condominiums, with 20+ years of expertise across every building type and neighborhood in Seattle's condo market. Jeff tracks every building's HOA health, rental policies, and resale history.
Whether you're searching for a historic Pioneer Square loft, a Capitol Hill live-work space, or any other condo type, Jeff has the data and relationships to guide you to the right building and the right unit.
Jeff Reynolds • Seattle Condo Authority Network • jeff.reynolds@compass.com
Current listings, building data, HOA financials, and buyer strategy. No obligation.