In a statement to TechCrunch, Laura Spanjian, Airbnb public policy director for the Northwest, struck a cooperative tone: “Airbnb welcomes the new proposal from the City of Seattle regarding the proposed regulation of short-term rentals. Seattle is pushing ahead with plans to restrict Airbnb hosts to owning just two short - term rental properties . The US proposal will allow hosts to list their own home and an additional apartment under plans aimed at satisfying both long and short - term renters . Holiday letting services such as Airbnb and Facebook have been accused of contributing to a deficit in affordable housing in many cities . Under the US proposals , hosts will need a short term rental operator 's licence as well as a business licence , which will only be granted if they can prove a listing is either their primary or secondary business .
Seattle is pushing ahead with plans to restrict Airbnb hosts to owning just two short - term rental properties . The US proposal will allow hosts to list their own home and an additional apartment under plans aimed at satisfying both long and short - term renters . Holiday letting services such as Airbnb and Facebook have been accused of contributing to a deficit in affordable housing in many cities . Under the US proposals , hosts will need a short term rental operator 's licence as well as a business licence , which will only be granted if they can prove a listing is either their primary or secondary business .