Renting in Tacoma
Welcome to Renting in Tacoma! This website provides comprehensive information and resources on rental regulations in the City of Tacoma. Whether you are a renter or a housing provider, there is a lot to know. Our goal is to make the rental process, and the rights and obligations of the rental community, clear and accessible.
Tacoma requires that landlords provide a printed copy of the Renting in Tacoma: A Guide for Landlords and Tenants Handbook to tenants when signing an initial rental agreement.
Digital versions are permitted for renewal of a rental agreement, or annually for month-to-month tenants and whenever the City updates the handbook.
Renting In Tacoma-A Guide For Landlords and Tenants Handbook.pdf
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Please email us at tacomarhc@tacoma.gov
*The City currently does not distribute printed copies of the Handbook and landlords are expected to download our printer-friendly version of the Renting in Tacoma Handbook.
Most Recent State Rental Regulations
Washington State Passes Rent Stabilization Bill
On May 7, Governor Ferguson signed HB 1217, the Washington state rent stabilization bill, into law with immediate effect. Here is an overview:
- No rent increases during the first 12 months of tenancy
- Maximum rent increase of 7% plus the Consumer Price Index (CPI), up to a maximum of 10%
- Prohibits charging more than a 5% difference in rent for a month-to-month rental agreement versus a lease
- Requires 90 days’ notice for all rent increases
- Service required by personal delivery or, failing that, post on the property and first-class mail
- Requires specific language for a rent increase notice
- Authorizes a tenant or the Attorney General’s office to bring a court action for enforced compliance
- Civil penalties up to $7,500 for each violation plus attorney’s fees and mandatory damages to the tenant
- Authorizes a tenant who is issued a non-compliant rent increase to break their rental agreement with 20 days’ notice
Exemptions include:
- Newly constructed properties 12 years old or less
- Public housing authorities and non-profit housing authorities where maximum rents are regulated by other laws
- The following owner-occupied properties provided ownership is not a corporation, an LLC where an owner is a corporation or a real estate investment trust
- Tenancies where the tenant shares a bathroom or kitchen with the owner
- Tenancies in a single-family property where the owner rents no more than two units or bedrooms including ADUs / DADUs
- Tenancies in a duplex, triplex or fourplex where the owner occupies one of the units
*It’s important to remember that Tacoma still requires a landlord to provide the tenant with two notices of the rent increase. The first notice must be provided between 210 and 180 days before the rent increase is to take effect. A second reminder notice must be provided between 120 and 90 days before the rent increase is to take effect. The rent increase notice shall be in a form established by the City of Tacoma and must include information on the tenants right to relocation assistance for increases over 5%, if the tenant chooses to relocate and not pay the rent increase.
Recent City Rental Regulations
The Measure 1 ballot initiative, also known as the Landlord Fairness Code Initiative (TMC 1.100, LFCI), went into effect on December 8, 2023. Some changes were: Landlords must not charge unfair or excessive fees, Landlords are prohibited from carrying out student/school year, and cold weather evictions. More information is listed under Housing Code Resources at the bottom of the page.
On July 11, 2023, the Tacoma City Council passed Amended Substitute Ordinance 28894, which updated the Rental Housing Code (TMC 1.95, RHC) to strengthen requirements around notices to increase rent; shared housing standards; standardized tenant screening criteria; standards for fees and deposits; business license, health and safety requirements; rental agreement regulations and more.
Learn how the Rental Housing Code and the Landlord Fairness Code Initiative Work Together
Landlord and Tenant Resources
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On July 11, 2023, the Tacoma City Council passed Amended Substitute Ordinance 28894, which updated the Rental Housing Code (RHC) (TMC 1.95, RHC) which went into effect on July 24, 2023.
A landlord shall provide the tenant a copy of the “Renting in Tacoma” booklet to any tenant or prospective tenant when a rental agreement is offered, whether or not the agreement is for a new or renewal agreement. This information must also be provided to existing tenants within thirty (30) days of being made available by the City of Tacoma. The initial distribution of information to tenants must be in written form and landlords must obtain the tenant’s signature documenting receipt of such information.
Download the Renting in Tacoma BookletScreening: 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 bedrooms is $1,987 and your rent is $2,100, the tenant would be required to have an income of $5,250 to qualify at 2.5x’s monthly rent.
Example: FMR for 2 bedrooms 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.
Tacoma Fair Market Rent 2024-2025Landlords must comply with all notice provisions outlined in TMC 1.95 and TMC 1.100. If during tenancy, a landlord must serve a notice under RCW 59.18.030, TMC 1.95, or TMC 1.100, the landlord is also required to serve the associate “Notice of Resource” prepared by the City of Tacoma.
Required Notices/Forms:
- 120-Day Notice of Rent Increase-RHC
- 210-Day Notice of Rent Increase-Landlord Fairness Code Initiative (LFCI)
- Reminder Notice of Rent Increase-LFCI
- Installment Payment Plan Request-RHC
Required “Notice of Resources” forms:
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On July 11, 2023, the Tacoma City Council passed Amended Substitute Ordinance 28894, which updated the Rental Housing Code (RHC) (TMC 1.95, RHC) which went into effect on July 24, 2023.
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 a 2-bedroom is $1,987 and your rent is $2,100, the tenant would be required to have an income of $5,250 to qualify at 2.5x’s monthly rent.
Example: FMR for 2 bedrooms 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.
Tacoma Fair Market Rent 2024-2025Business 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.
See if a rental property is registered and has a business license.
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 Tacoma FIRST 311 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.
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.
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Tenant Relocation Assistance Funding
Under Tacoma Municipal Code 1.95, eligible tenant households are entitled to receive relocation assistance of $2,000 to assist in the costs of moving in situations where they are being displaced due to significant rehabilitation, demolition, or change in use of their rented residence. The property owner is required to pay half that amount ($1,000), and the City of Tacoma pays the remaining half ($1,000 per unit).
To receive relocation assistance, tenants must meet several requirements:
- Qualify as low-income: The total combined income for all occupants of your housing unit cannot exceed 50% of the median income for a household of that size in this area.
- Reside in the housing unit at the time the owner notified the City of Tacoma about the planned change in property.
- Complete and return the landlord-provided Relocation Assistance Certification Form to the City of Tacoma no later than 20 days after receiving the packet.
How to Apply for Relocation Assistance
If you believe your household qualifies based on your income and the reason your tenancy was terminated, please complete and submit the Relocation Assistance Packet (that you should receive from your landlord with your 120-day notice to vacate) and the verifying documents to:
Relocation Assistance Program
747 Market Street, Room 836
Tacoma, WA 98402You may also email packets to tenantrelocationassistance@tacoma.gov.
Rental Housing Code FAQs
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The City of Tacoma recognizes that the rental market in Tacoma is drastically changing. The City has been working in collaboration with its Rental Housing Stakeholder Advisory Group to increase the availability of housing in Tacoma and ensure that every resident in Tacoma, including our most vulnerable populations, has access to stable housing. The City’s Rental Housing Stakeholder Advisory Group is comprised of City of Tacoma staff, non-profit and affordable housing representatives, landlord and tenant advocates, and legal representatives.
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The Rental Housing Code (RHC) does not replace the Washington State Residential Landlord-Tenant Act (RCW 59.18, RLTA). However, it does expand on certain protections under the RLTA and allows the City to regulate and enforce violations of the RHC.
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If you own, operate, or rent residential rental property within the Tacoma city limits, the Rental Housing Code applies to you. Verify if your rental property is within the Tacoma city limits.
Additional Information and Resources
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 on the business license for rental properties, please visit the Rental Business web page.