Rental Property Rules in Kent, WA (2026)
3 verified rental property rules for Kent, 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 Kent cannot cap rent increases. Just-cause eviction and notice rules under RCW 59.18 still apply.
Kent Rent Control Rules
Few RestrictionsRCW 35.21.830 — Controls on rent for residential structures, Prohibited
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 terminate most residential tenancies. Kent landlords must identify one of the 16 statutory grounds and provide the required written notice before filing eviction.
Kent Just-Cause Eviction Rules
Heavy RestrictionsRCW 59.18.650 — Eviction of tenant, Cause, Notice, Penalties
RCW 59.18.650 Eviction of tenant, refusal to continue tenancy, end of periodic tenancy — Cause — Notice — Penalties. (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. (2) The following reasons listed in this subsection constitute cause ...
Rental Registration
Kent does not operate a citywide rental registration or licensing program. Landlords follow the Washington Residential Landlord-Tenant Act and Kent business license rules for property management.
Kent Rental Registration Rules
Few RestrictionsLooking for King County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Kent city rules.
Rental Property Rules in King County →