Rental Property Rules in Whatcom County, WA (2026)
2 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Whatcom County, Washington.
Verified from official government sources
Rent Control
Washington no longer leaves rent to the open market. Since HB 1217 took effect in May 2025, annual residential rent increases are capped statewide. For 2026 the ceiling is 9.683%, and it applies from Bellingham to Lynden, Ferndale, and unincorporated Whatcom County.
Whatcom County Rent Increase Cap (HB 1217)
Some RestrictionsWA Dept. of Commerce, HB 1217 Landlord Resource Center (2026 rent increase cap)
The maximum annual rent increase percentage allowed for properties subject to Residential Landlord Tenant Act (RCW 59.18) unless specifically exempted as defined in RCW 59.18.700 between 1/1/2026 and 12/31/2026 is 9.683%.
Just Cause Eviction
In unincorporated Whatcom County, a landlord cannot evict a tenant, refuse to renew a tenancy, or end a periodic lease without one of the specific causes listed in RCW 59.18.650(2), from unpaid rent to owner move-in or sale of the unit. Fixed-term leases under 12 months can still end without cause on 60 days' notice; longer or month-to-month tenancies cannot.
Whatcom County Just-Cause Eviction Rules
Some RestrictionsRCW 59.18.650
(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 pursuant to subsection (1) of this section: (a) The tenant continues in possession in person or by subtenant afte...
Rental Property Rules by City in Whatcom County
1 cities in Whatcom County have their own rental property rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Whatcom County ordinances
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