Rental Inspections in Washington (2026)
13 rules on the books across Washington, 8 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
Inspection Programs
Proactive rental inspection programs, registration requirements, systematic and periodic inspection cycles, what inspectors check, and the fees landlords pay to fund them.
Bellingham
Significant RestrictionsBellingham requires every residential rental property to register with the city and undergo a safety inspection at…
Read full rule →Kent
Significant RestrictionsKent requires most licensed rental properties to be inspected once every three years by a city-approved private…
Read full rule →Renton
Significant RestrictionsRenton can order a landlord to obtain a certificate of inspection from a qualified, independent inspector whenever the…
Read full rule →Auburn
Some RestrictionsAuburn rental housing owners and managers must sometimes provide a certificate of inspection under ACC 5.22.057 to keep…
Read full rule →Lakewood
Some RestrictionsLakewood requires every rental housing unit's owner to hold a business license and provide a certificate of inspection…
Read full rule →Seattle
Some RestrictionsSeattle's Rental Registration and Inspection Ordinance requires the Department of Construction and Inspections to…
Read full rule →Tacoma
Some RestrictionsTacoma requires a provisional rental property license, backed by a paid certificate of inspection, once a rental…
Read full rule →Tenant Complaint Process
How tenants can file complaints about code violations, what triggers a city inspection, and protections against landlord retaliation for reporting issues.
Renton
Significant RestrictionsA Renton tenant who believes a landlord is violating the Landlord-Tenant Act's maintenance duties can ask the City to…
Read full rule →Bellingham
Some RestrictionsWhen Bellingham's department gets notice of a building or fire code violation in a rental unit, it can inspect or seek…
Read full rule →Kent
Some RestrictionsKent's rental inspection ordinance lets tenants trigger inspections outside the routine three-year cycle. KCC 10.02.090…
Read full rule →Seattle
Some RestrictionsA Seattle tenant who reports a problem can trigger a City inspection directly: SMC 22.214.050.C requires SDCI to send…
Read full rule →Skagit County
Some RestrictionsSkagit County Public Health investigates tenant complaints about a rental's individual water system under SCC…
Read full rule →Tacoma
Some RestrictionsTacoma tenants can trigger a City code inspection of their rental by filing a complaint, verbally, in writing, or…
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