Under RCW 59.18.140, a Washington landlord must give at least 90 days' prior written notice before raising rent (30 days for income-based subsidized housing). The 2025 Rent Stabilization Act (HB 1217) also caps annual increases statewide and bars any increase during the first 12 months of a tenancy.
RCW 59.18.140 requires that 'a landlord shall provide a minimum of 90 days' prior written notice of an increase in the amount of rent to each affected tenant,' reduced to 30 days for tenancies subsidized based on tenant income. The 2025 Rent Stabilization Act (HB 1217), effective May 7, 2025, prohibits any rent increase during the first 12 months of a tenancy and caps later annual increases at the lesser of 10% or 7% plus CPI (5% for manufactured/mobile-home lots), with the Department of Commerce publishing the maximum each year. Increases generally may not take effect before a fixed term ends except in subsidized tenancies or by mutual consent.
A notice that fails the 90-day (or 30-day subsidized) requirement is invalid and the increase is unenforceable. An increase exceeding the HB 1217 cap can expose the landlord to the tenant's actual damages, a statutory penalty, and attorney fees under the Rent Stabilization Act's enforcement provisions.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Bellevue, WA
Outdoor music must comply with BCC 9.18 limits. Special events with amplified sound require a noise variance from the City Clerk and typically must end by 10...
Bellevue, WA
Bellevue treats habitual barking as a nuisance under BCC Title 8 and BCC 9.18. King County Regional Animal Services investigates complaints and issues warnin...
Bellevue, WA
Aircraft noise is federally preempted by the FAA. Bellevue sits in the Sea-Tac contour near Renton Municipal Airport. Complaints go to Port of Seattle Aviati...
Bellevue, WA
Bellevue enforces RCW 46.55 and BCC 11.23 against vehicles left on streets more than 72 hours or stored inoperable on private property, with impoundment and ...
Bellevue, WA
Bellevue prohibits barbed wire, razor wire, and electrified fencing in residential zones; chain link is allowed but discouraged in front yards by design guid...
Bellevue, WA
RCW 16.60 governs boundary fences and cost-sharing in Washington. LUC 20.20.400 controls height and placement. Spite fences allow civil remedy. Get a survey ...
See how Bellevue's rent increase notice rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.