Source-of-Income Discrimination: Redmond vs Seattle
How do source-of-income discrimination rules compare between Redmond, WA and Seattle, WA?
Redmond and Seattle have similar restriction levels.
Redmond, WA
King County
RCW 59.18.255 prohibits King County landlords from refusing to rent based on a tenant's lawful source of income, including Section 8 vouchers, Social Security, veterans benefits, child support, and unemployment compensation.
View full Redmond rules →Seattle, WA
King County
Seattle's Fair Housing Ordinance SMC 14.08 prohibits landlords from refusing to rent to applicants because of their lawful source of income, including Section 8 vouchers, VASH, SSI, child support, alimony, and any other government or non-employment income.
View full Seattle rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Redmond | Seattle |
|---|---|---|
| State citation | RCW 59.18.255 | - |
| Year enacted | 2018 | - |
| Risk mitigation fund | Up to $5,000 per unit | - |
| Income multiple | Tenant portion only | - |
| Code section | - | SMC 14.08 |
| State backstop | - | RCW 59.18.255 |
| First-in-time rule | - | SMC 14.08.050 |
| Penalty cap | - | $11,000 first offense |
| Filing window | - | One year |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Redmond FAQ
Must I accept Section 8 vouchers?
Yes. RCW 59.18.255 makes refusal of any lawful source of income illegal statewide. You may still screen for credit and rental history under uniform standards.
Can I require three times rent in income?
Only against the tenant's portion of rent for voucher holders, not the full contract rent. Applying the multiplier to the gross rent is a discrimination violation under state law.
Seattle FAQ
Can a landlord still require minimum income?
Yes, but only on the tenant-paid portion. Landlords must subtract any voucher amount from the rent before applying any income-to-rent ratio under SMC 14.08.
Does this cover Section 8 vouchers?
Yes. Housing Choice Vouchers, VASH, Shelter Plus Care, and any other federal, state, or local rental subsidy are protected sources of income under the ordinance.
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