RCW 59.18.255 prohibits King County landlords from refusing to rent based on a tenant's lawful source of income, including Section 8 vouchers, Social Security, veterans benefits, child support, and unemployment compensation.
Washington's source-of-income protection took effect statewide in 2018, predating most cities' parallel ordinances. Landlords may not advertise no-Section-8, refuse voucher holders, or impose income-multiple tests that effectively exclude voucher recipients (the multiplier may apply only to the tenant's portion of rent, not the full rent). King County also runs a Landlord Risk Mitigation Fund offering up to $5,000 per unit to cover damages exceeding the deposit, intended to reduce landlord resistance to voucher tenants. Seattle's First-in-Time ordinance adds a separate requirement that landlords accept the first qualified applicant rather than picking among them.
Refusing voucher holders, advertising no-Section-8, or applying full-rent income multipliers can result in Washington Human Rights Commission complaints, civil damages, and attorney fees, with Seattle imposing additional fines up to $11,000 per violation.
Kent, WA
Kent decibel limits follow WAC 173-60 and KCC 8.05 using EDNA zones. Residential receiving limit is 55 dBA day and 45 dBA night. Commercial sources are cappe...
Kent, WA
Kent industrial sources are capped at 70 dBA day and 65 dBA night at another industrial property, but only 60 dBA day and 50 dBA night when received at a res...
Kent, WA
Commercial trucks over 10,000 pounds GVWR generally cannot park on Kent residential streets except for active loading. Warehouse districts and truck routes h...
Kent, WA
Kent follows Washington State Building Code EV-ready requirements for new multifamily and commercial buildings. Public chargers exist at Kent Station and sev...
Kent, WA
Kent driveway aprons require Public Works approval under KCC Title 6. New or widened driveways need a right-of-way construction permit, and vehicles must not...
Kent, WA
Kent has no city requirement to split shared fence costs with a neighbor. Washington common law controls boundary fences. Survey the property line before bui...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in King County.
See how Kent's source-of-income discrimination rules stack up against other locations.
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