Seattle requires rental housing operators to register with the city and comply with the Rental Registration and Inspection Ordinance (RRIO) under SMC 22.214, which mandates periodic inspections to ensure habitability standards.
The Rental Registration and Inspection Ordinance (RRIO), codified at SMC 22.214, requires all rental property owners to register their properties with SDCI. Registration must be completed before renting a unit. Properties must undergo a habitability inspection within the first 5 years of registration and every 5 to 10 years thereafter, depending on the property's compliance history. Inspections can be performed by a city-approved private inspector or SDCI staff. The inspection covers essential habitability items including heating, plumbing, electrical, structural integrity, smoke detectors, and weather protection. Registration fees apply per unit. The program was enacted to ensure baseline living conditions across Seattle's rental housing stock. Landlords must maintain current registration and post registration status for tenants.
Operating a rental unit without RRIO registration is a violation subject to fines of up to $150 per day per unit. Failure to complete required inspections results in escalating penalties. Properties that fail inspection must complete repairs and pass reinspection within specified timelines. Chronic non-compliance may result in rental license revocation.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in King County.
See how other cities in King County handle rental registration.
See how Seattle's rental registration rules stack up against other locations.
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