On July 11,
2023, the Tacoma City Council passed Amended Substitute Ordinance 28894, which
updated the Rental Housing Code (TMC 1.95, RHC) which went into effect on July
24, 2023.
Changes to the Rental Housing Code (RHC) TMC 1.95
Outline of the Landlord Fairness Code Initiative (LFCI) TMC 1.100
How the Rental Housing Code & the Landlord Fairness Code Initiative Work Together
Screening: Income-to-Rent Ratio Requirements (HUD FMR)
Per TMC 1.95.035, landlords cannot:
Exceed maximum income-to-rent ratios when determining eligibility.
If monthly rent is BELOW HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) the income-to-rent ratio would be 3x's monthly rent to qualify.
If monthly rent is ABOVE HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) the income-to-rent ratio would be 2.5x's monthly rent to qualify.
Example: FMR for 2-bedroom is $1,987 and your rent is $2100, the tenant would be required to have an income of $5,250 to qualify at 2.5x’s monthly rent.
Example: FMR for 2-bedroom is $1,987 and your rent is $1,500, the tenant would be required to have a monthly income of $4,500 to qualify at 3x’s monthly rent.
Business License, Health, and Safety Requirements
A landlord will not be able to pursue eviction or
increase rent without a current City of Tacoma business license or if a
dwelling unit does not comply with RCW 59.18.060 and presents conditions that
endanger or impair tenant health and safety.
For additional information to see if a rental property is registered and has a business license, please click here Search Rental Property Owners with a Business license.
Rental Housing Code Resources for Tenants
According to TMC 1.95.030 at the time of application prospective tenants have the right to access information about code violations, findings of discrimination and how to register to vote.
Code Violations
You may access information online about current and previous violations by entering an address on the Code Violations web page. If you have questions about a case, please contact the TacomaFIRST311 Customer Support Center by calling 3-1-1 or (253) 591-5000 outside City limits. When calling, be prepared with the case number or address you’d like to discuss.
Discrimination Cases
For information on the discrimination cases, visit the Fair Housing web page.
Rental Housing Code
Read the Rental Housing Code (TMC 1.95).
Landlord Fairness Code Initiative
Read the Landlord Fairness Code Initiative (TMC 1.100).
Washington State Voter Registration Information can be found at:
sos.wa.gov