Rental Property Rules in Kennewick, WA (2026)
5 verified rental property rules for Kennewick, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Rent Control
Kennewick has no rent-control ordinance and is barred from adopting one. RCW 35.21.830 expressly preempts cities, towns, and counties from regulating the amount of rent charged for the rental of private residential property statewide.
Kennewick Rent Control: Preempted by RCW 35.21.830
Few RestrictionsJust Cause Eviction
Kennewick has no separate local just-cause ordinance, but Washington's statewide just-cause statute, RCW 59.18.650 (effective May 2021), already applies. A landlord may end a tenancy only for one of the enumerated causes, with the prescribed written notice, and may not arbitrarily refuse to renew.
Kennewick Just-Cause Eviction: RCW 59.18.650 Applies
Some RestrictionsRCW 59.18.650
(m) The tenant continues in possession after having received at least 60 days' advance written notice to vacate for other good cause prior to the end of the period or rental agreement and such cause constitutes a legitimate economic or business reason not covered or related to a basis for ending the lease as enumerated under this subsection (2).
Rental Registration
Kennewick has not adopted a Rental Registration and Inspection Ordinance like Seattle's RRIO. Landlords still need a Washington UBI business license through the Department of Revenue and a Kennewick business license under KMC Title 5, but no separate per-unit rental registration is required.
Kennewick Rental Registration: No Local Program
Few RestrictionsRental Inspection Programs
Kennewick has not adopted a periodic rental-inspection program under RCW 59.18.125. Rental conditions are inspected only on complaint through Code Enforcement against the city's adopted building, fire, and property-maintenance codes, and through state habitability duties under RCW 59.18.060.
Kennewick Rental Inspections: Complaint-Driven Only
Few RestrictionsSecurity Deposit Rules
Security deposit rules in Kennewick are set by Washington statute. RCW 59.18.260 requires a written rental agreement, a written move-in checklist, and deposit of funds in a trust account at a Washington bank. RCW 59.18.280 requires return or itemized accounting within 30 days of the tenancy ending.
Kennewick Security Deposits: RCW 59.18.260-285
Some RestrictionsLooking for Benton County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Kennewick city rules.
Rental Property Rules in Benton County →