WA RCW 59.18.255 prohibits Spokane landlords from refusing to rent to applicants based on source of income, including Section 8 vouchers, Social Security, veterans benefits, and other lawful subsidies.
Under RCW 59.18.255, source of income is a protected status statewide. Spokane landlords cannot refuse, terminate, or impose different terms on tenants because their rent comes from housing vouchers (Section 8), SSI, SSDI, veterans benefits, child support, alimony, or other lawful sources. Income calculations may consider only the tenant's portion of rent (not the voucher portion) for income-to-rent ratios. Refusing 'no Section 8' or similar advertising is unlawful. The WA Attorney General and HUD enforce; tenants may file complaints with the WA Human Rights Commission.
Posting 'no vouchers' ads, refusing to consider Section 8 applicants, or applying voucher-recipients to higher income standards violates RCW 59.18.255 and exposes landlords to civil penalties.
Spokane, WA
Spokane landlords must comply with Washington HB 1236 (2021), which requires just cause to terminate any residential tenancy. Sixteen enumerated reasons incl...
Spokane, WA
Spokane Housing Authority administers Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers, and under RCW 59.18.255 landlords cannot refuse a qualified voucher holder solely be...
See how Spokane's source-of-income discrimination rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.