Rental Property Rules in Federal Way, WA (2026)
3 verified rental property rules for Federal Way, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Rent Control
Rent control is preempted by Washington RCW 35.21.830, so Federal Way cannot cap rent increases. State HB 1351 notice rules and RCW 59.18 just-cause eviction protections still apply.
Federal Way Rent Control Rules
Few RestrictionsRCW 35.21.830 - Controls on rent for residential structures — Prohibited — Exceptions
RCW 35.21.830 Controls on rent for residential structures — Prohibited — Exceptions. The imposition of controls on rent is of statewide significance and is preempted by the state. No city or town of any class may enact, maintain, or enforce ordinances or other provisions which regulate the amount of rent to be charged for single-family or multiple-unit residential rental structures or sites oth...
Just Cause Eviction
Washington RCW 59.18.650 requires just cause to end most residential tenancies. Federal Way landlords must identify one of the 16 statutory grounds and give the required written notice before filing eviction.
Federal Way Just-Cause Eviction Rules
Heavy RestrictionsRCW 59.18.650 - Eviction of tenant, refusal to continue tenancy, end of periodic tenancy — Cause — Notice — Penalties
RCW 59.18.650 Eviction of tenant, refusal to continue tenancy, end of periodic tenancy — Cause — Notice — Penalties. (Effective until January 1, 2028.) (1)(a) A landlord may not evict a tenant, refuse to continue a tenancy, or end a periodic tenancy except for the causes enumerated in subsection (2) of this section and as otherwise provided in this subsection. (b) If a landlord and tenant enter...
Repairs & Habitability
Federal Way holds rental and other occupied properties to the 2021 International Property Maintenance Code, adopted citywide by FWRC 13.43.020 and locally amended to add a specific weed-height standard: exterior property must stay under six inches of weeds or plant growth on developed land, or 12 inches on vacant land, with the building official acting as code official.
Federal Way Property Maintenance Code
Some RestrictionsFWRC 13.43.020; 13.43.030(20)
The 2021 International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC) is adopted as amended, added to, or excepted in this chapter, and shall be applicable within the city. Where this code is in conflict with one or more of the city's adopted regulations, the more restrictive language shall apply. ... IPMC 302.4, Weeds, is hereby amended to read as follows: All premises and exterior property shall be maintai...
Looking for King County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Federal Way city rules.
Rental Property Rules in King County →