Rental Property Rules in Tacoma, WA (2026)
6 verified rental property rules for Tacoma, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Rent Control
Tacoma cannot adopt traditional rent control because Washington state law RCW 35.21.830 preempts cities and counties from regulating the amount of rent on private residential property.
Tacoma Rent Control Preempted
Few RestrictionsRCW 35.21.830
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
Tacoma renters are protected by statewide just-cause eviction rules under HB 1236 (2021), codified in RCW 59.18.650, plus enhanced local protections in the Tacoma Renter Protections Ordinance, TMC 1.95.
Tacoma Just-Cause Eviction Protections
Heavy RestrictionsRental Registration
Tacoma requires landlords of residential rental property to register units with the Rental Housing Code program, supporting habitability inspections and disclosure of contact information for tenants.
Tacoma Rental Housing Registration
Some RestrictionsRelocation Assistance
Under the Tacoma Renter Protections Ordinance (TMC 1.95, 2023), tenants displaced by large rent increases or no-fault terminations may qualify for relocation assistance funded by the landlord.
Tacoma Relocation Assistance Rules
Heavy RestrictionsSecurity Deposit Rules
Security deposits in Tacoma follow Washington's Residential Landlord-Tenant Act under RCW 59.18, with limits on installment timing, written checklists, and prompt return after move-out.
Tacoma Security Deposit Rules
Some RestrictionsSource-of-Income Discrimination
Washington law and Tacoma policy bar landlords from refusing tenants based on lawful source of income, including Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers, veterans benefits, and Social Security.
Tacoma Source of Income Protections
Heavy RestrictionsLooking for Pierce County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Tacoma city rules.
Rental Property Rules in Pierce County →