Seattle's Just Cause Eviction Ordinance sharply limits no-fault evictions: landlords cannot terminate month-to-month or fixed-term tenancies without one of the enumerated causes in SMC 22.206.160, even when the lease ends.
SMC 22.206.160(C) lists the exclusive grounds for termination — nonpayment, lease violation, owner move-in, substantial rehabilitation, demolition, conversion, and similar reasons. No-fault grounds (owner move-in, sale to owner-occupant, demolition, change of use) trigger relocation assistance under SMC 22.210 when tenants are income-qualified. Notice periods range from 60 to 120 days depending on cause, and the Roommate Initiative (2021) and Winter Eviction Ban (Dec 1 to Mar 1 for low-income tenants) further constrain timing. Retaliatory and discriminatory motives remain barred.
Serving termination notices without an enumerated cause, evicting during the winter ban, or omitting required relocation assistance exposes landlords to dismissal of unlawful detainer, treble damages, and attorney fees through Seattle Office of Housing enforcement.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Seattle, WA
Seattle's Land Use Code allows residential lawn ornaments, statuary, and yard art without permits provided structures do not exceed accessory-structure heigh...
Seattle, WA
Seattle does not regulate residential inflatable holiday decorations by size or type. Standard Noise Ordinance (SMC 25.08) limits apply to blower-motor noise...
Seattle, WA
Seattle has no ordinance restricting when residents may put up or take down holiday lights. The general Noise Ordinance SMC 25.08 applies to any amplified ou...
Seattle, WA
Built-in outdoor kitchens in Seattle require building permits from SDCI when they include new electrical, plumbing, gas piping, or a structural roof under Se...
Seattle, WA
Backyard wood and pellet smokers in Seattle are allowed at single-family homes but are subject to Puget Sound Clean Air Agency (PSCAA) Regulation I, Section ...
Seattle, WA
Seattle Fire Code Section 308.1.4 prohibits open-flame cooking devices and LP-gas containers larger than 1 lb on combustible balconies of multi-family buildi...
See how Seattle's no-fault evictions rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.