LeaseHelperLease Agreement Generator
Home / Local Rent Rules / Seattle, WA
Local Rent Rules · last verified October 25, 2026

Seattle, WA rent rules

Coverage, this period's allowable increase, notice periods, just cause and relocation — straight from the official sources, each linked and dated.

Check a specific unit →

Not legal advice. LeaseHelper is a document automation service, not a law firm. This page summarises official sources and links each figure to them. Rules change — city figures are re-published every year — so check the "verified" date on each item and confirm with the agency before you act.

State law also applies here: Washington (statewide).

Which units are covered

cap exemptions

Exemptions from the cap as summarized by the City.

  • properties 12 years old or less
  • public and non-profit housing authority units with rents set by other laws
  • certain owner-occupied properties not owned by a corporation, corporate-member LLC or REIT

RCW 59.18.710 · official source · verified October 25, 2026

Maximum rent increase

cap summary

City summary of the state cap.

7% + CPI, maximum 10% per 12 months (state law, from May 7, 2025); no increase during a lease term or in the first 12 months.

RCW 59.18.700 · official source · verified October 25, 2026

Notice periods

housing cost increase notice days

At least 180 days' written notice for ANY housing-cost increase, in the state format, with the City's Renting in Seattle Helpline language ((206) 684-5700). Missing language makes the notice unenforceable.

180

SMC 7.24.030 · official source · verified October 25, 2026

nonrenewal notice days

Non-renewal requires just cause and at least 60 days' notice before the lease ends; renewal offers 60–90 days before expiration.

60

SMC ch. 22.205 · official source · verified October 25, 2026

Just cause for eviction

applies

Just cause required to end a month-to-month tenancy or not renew a lease; 19 listed reasons (e.g. nonpayment, owner/family move-in with 90 days' notice, sale of a single-family home with 90 days' notice).

Yes

SMC ch. 22.205 · official source · verified October 25, 2026

Relocation assistance

edra

Economic Displacement Relocation Assistance: a 10%+ increase within 12 months lets households at or below 80% AMI who move out claim up to 3 months' housing costs; the City advances it and the landlord reimburses. Notices of a 10%+ increase must attach the EDRA notice.

threshold %
10
income max ami %
80
amount months housing cost
3

SMC ch. 22.212 · official source · verified October 25, 2026

Registration and filings

rrio

Rental Registration and Inspection Ordinance registration before renting.

Yes

SMC ch. 22.214 · official source · verified October 14, 2026

From the repo's state-rules overlay; RRIO page not re-read today.

Penalties

noncompliant increase

Non-compliant increases: tenant may end the lease on 20 days' notice; civil penalties up to $7,500 per violation plus fees and damages.

civil penalty per violation up to
$7,500

RCW 59.18.720–.730 · official source · verified October 25, 2026

Need the notice itself?

Generate a rent-increase, just-cause termination or relocation notice built from these exact figures, with the required city language.

See notices →

Rules change — last verified October 25, 2026. Dataset: legal-facts/v1, jurisdiction wa-seattle.