Tacoma, WA Rental Property Rules: Rent Control (2026)
Rent control rules in Tacoma, WA, also known as rent stabilization or rent cap ordinances, limit annual rent increases and protect tenants from displacement.
Key Facts
- Statute
- RCW 35.21.830
- Effect
- Cities cannot cap rent
- Tacoma response
- TMC 1.95 protections
- Status
- Long-standing preemption
Summary
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.
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 other than properties in public ownership, under public management, or properties providing low-income rental housing under joint public-private agreements for the financing or provision of such low-income rental housing. This section shall not be construed as prohibiting any city or town from entering into agreements with private persons which regulate or control the amount of rent to be charged for rental properties. [ 1981 c 75 s 1 .]
Full Breakdown
RCW 35.21.830 expressly bars Washington cities and counties from controlling the amount of rent charged for the lease or rental of private residential property. As a result, Tacoma has no rent cap on existing or new tenancies. The city may still regulate the timing and notice of rent increases, relocation assistance, and just-cause eviction protections, which is the path Tacoma has taken through the Renter Protections Ordinance in TMC 1.95. Statewide repeal of RCW 35.21.830 has been debated repeatedly but has not occurred.
Violations & Fines
Any local Tacoma rule attempting to cap private rent amounts would be invalid under RCW 35.21.830 and unenforceable by city staff.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Tacoma cap rent increases?
Has the legislature changed this?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Tacoma
Compare Tacoma to another location·View the Washington rental property rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Rent Control in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle rent control.