Rental Property Rules in Auburn, WA: What Residents Actually Need to Know

If you live in Auburn or are thinking about moving there, rental property rules are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Auburn has 3 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of rental property rules, and some of them might surprise you.

Rental Registration

Auburn does not run a citywide rental registration or landlord licensing program. Owners follow the Washington Residential Landlord-Tenant Act and Auburn business license rules under ACC Title 5.

Key details: Citywide Registration: Not required in Auburn. Business License: May be required under ACC Title 5. Rent Control: Preempted by RCW 35.21.830. State Law: RCW 59.18 Landlord-Tenant Act.

Operating a property management business without a required Auburn business license can result in fines and back license fees under ACC Title 5. Habitability violations are enforced under ACC Title 15 with civil penalties per day of violation.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Auburn gives residents more flexibility on rental registration.

Just Cause Eviction

Washington RCW 59.18.650 requires just cause to terminate most residential tenancies. Auburn landlords must identify one of the 16 statutory grounds and use the state-prescribed notice form before filing eviction.

Key details: State Law: RCW 59.18.650 just cause required. Nonpayment Notice: 14 days to pay or vacate. No-Fault Notice: 90 days for owner move-in or sale. Courts: King or Pierce County District Court.

Evictions filed without just cause or without the required AG notice form can be dismissed and the landlord may owe the tenant damages, court costs, and attorney fees. Illegal lockouts can result in three months rent plus damages under RCW 59.18.290.

Compared to other cities, Auburn takes a harder line on just cause eviction. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Rent Control

Rent control is preempted statewide by RCW 35.21.830, so Auburn landlords set market rents; tenant protections come from RCW 59.18 (Residential Landlord-Tenant Act) and HB 1351 notice reforms.

Key details: Rent Control: Preempted by RCW 35.21.830. Tenant Law: RCW 59.18. Notice: HB 1351 rent-notice reforms. Just Cause: Required statewide. Voucher Discrimination: Unlawful.

Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.

Auburn is more permissive than most cities when it comes to rent control. That said, there are still limits.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Auburn gives residents more room on rental property rules. 2 of the 3 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

Keep in mind that Auburn can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.