Rent control rules in Tacoma, WA — also known as rent stabilization or rent cap ordinances — limit annual rent increases and protect tenants from displacement.
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 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.
Any local Tacoma rule attempting to cap private rent amounts would be invalid under RCW 35.21.830 and unenforceable by city staff.
Tacoma, WA
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Tacoma, WA
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in this county.
See how other cities in this county handle rent control.
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