Federal Way, WA Rental Property Rules: Rental Registration (2026)

The City of Federal Way does not currently require residential landlords to register or license each rental unit with the city, unlike Seattle's Rental Registration and Inspection Ordinance or Burien's program. Federal Way Revised Code Title 12 (Business Regulations) requires a general Federal Way business license for persons engaged in business activity in the city, and professional property managers and larger rental operations typically need this license along with the state unified business identifier. Individual owners renting out a single home may or may not need a local license depending on scale, and should call Federal Way Finance at 253-835-2526 for clarification. State law, RCW 59.18 (Residential Landlord-Tenant Act), governs all rental agreements, deposits, required disclosures, habitability, and eviction procedures in Federal Way. Federal Way Code Compliance responds to habitability complaints under the International Property Maintenance Code adopted in FWRC Title 13. Landlords must provide working smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms per RCW 19.27.530, and lead-based paint disclosures for pre-1978 units. Rent control and rent stabilization are preempted statewide by RCW 35.21.830, so Federal Way cannot cap rent increases, and state law requires 60 days written notice before any rent increase.