LOCAL LAW TOOLS FOR WOODINVILLE

With the addition of a new local law in summary for the City of Woodinville, we’ve added another City Law Summary article to the Support Center and have updated the following general tools that aggregate local law details into easy-look-up charts, all updated with Woodinville details:

WA STATE AND LOCAL LAW CHART

First, the WA State and Local Law Chart covers several different types of laws such as registration and inspection, use of social security numbers, special tenant’s rights information required, amount of move-in fees and installment periods, rent increase notice periods, the regulation of late fees, and how tenancies can be ended by the landlord. This chart is useful if you manage properties in several areas and need a quick reference to see how much notice is needed for that rent increase in Issaquah, or if there is a cap on move-in fees in Burien. A link to the actual legal code is included for each city so you can check details as needed.

GOOD CAUSE TO END TENANCY (STATEWIDE GUIDE)

Another chart focuses in on one very complex area of the law usually referred to as “just cause eviction” or “good cause to end tenancy.” Since the State law version and pre-existing Seattle, Auburn, Burien, and Federal Way versions were not difficult enough… King County, Kenmore, and SeaTac had to jump on the bandwagon and create their own version of “just causes” to terminate tenancies. Our article Good Cause to End Tenancy (Statewide Guide) and the form End of Tenancy Notice will help you make sense of how much notice to provide based on the circumstances and where the property is located.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT RENTAL LAW CODES

Municipal codes for 19 different local governments that have rental regulations going beyond registration/inspection. Ten more have registration (some with inspection) but no other tenant protections. Most cities now require having business licenses for each rental property. This Support Center article lists each of the cities, and so far, just one county (King) that has rental regulations. Links to the actual municipal codes and any related law summary articles that we offer are included in the chart.

LEASING REQUIREMENTS BY LOCAL JURISDICTION

For each clause in the lease, it will list any special requirements by city or county. For instance, under clause 2, where you specify your late rent fee, there are several areas that limit the fee to either a percentage or, in some cases, only $10. These limitations are detailed by city or county. Make sure to follow this document closely when filling in your lease.

LEGAL FORMS

The following legal forms have also been updated with Woodinville instructions:

CITY OF WOODINVILLE LAW SUMMARY

This article provides a summary of the following Woodinville policies related to rental housing:

• Notice of Rent Increase
• Move-in Cost Caps 
• Move-in Cost Payment Plan
• Notice of Non-Renewal
• Use of SSN in Screening
• Tenant Rights

These policies are found in the following: The Woodinville Tenant Protections WMC 8.16 applies to tenancies governed by RCW Chapter 59.18 (RLTA) and RCW Chapter 59.20 (Manufactured/Mobile Home Landlord-Tenant Act), and is effective April 12, 2025.

Notice of Rent Increase

Any rental agreement or renewal of a rental agreement entered into following April 12, 2025, shall include, or shall be deemed to include, a provision requiring not less than:

• 120 days' written notice for combined rent and/or increases* greater than three percent (3%) above the previous combined rent and fees; or
• 180 days' written notice for combined rent and/or increases* greater than ten percent (10%) above the previous combined rent and fees.

*Any increase in fees charged to a tenant shall be deemed to be a rent increase, along with any increase in base rent.

As required under WA State law, 60 days' written notice is required for any rent increases 3% or less.

If the rental agreement governs subsidized housing where the amount of rent is based on the income of the tenant or circumstances specific to the subsidized household, the landlord shall provide a minimum of thirty (30) days' prior written notice of an increase in the amount of rent to each affected tenant.

Move-In Cost Caps

The total of all move-in fees and deposits charged by landlord must not exceed one month's rent, except in subsidized housing where the monthly rent is based on the tenant's income.

Move-In Cost Payment Plan

Tenants entering rental agreements with terms lasting six or more months may choose to pay their move-in fees and security deposits in six equal monthly installments over the first six months occupying the dwelling unit.
Tenants entering rental agreements with terms lasting fewer than six months or month-to-month rental agreements may choose to pay move-in fees and security deposits in two equal monthly installments over the first two months occupying the dwelling unit.

Notice of Non-Renewal

120 days’ notice is required for non-renewal of a lease with a fixed term of six months or longer and is exempted from "good cause termination" as per RCW 59.18.650.

Use of SSN in Screening

A housing provider:

• Shall not require a social security number for the purposes of screening a prospective tenant, as allowed under RCW 59.18.257.
• May request a social security number of a prospective tenant but shall not refuse to enter into a rental agreement with a prospective tenant because the prospective tenant does not agree to provide a social security number.
• May utilize information including, but not limited to, previous names, addresses, personal references, and work history to screen prospective tenants.
• Shall maintain the right to take adverse action because of inaccurate, unfavorable, or unavailable screening results.

Tenant Rights

• A Notice of Tenant Rights must be given to tenant at lease signing and renewal. See Woodinville Tenant Rights webpage for more information.
• Any provisions in a lease or renewal entered into after April 12, 2025, that are in violation of this chapter are considered null and void.
• A landlord and tenant may agree to waive specific requirements of this chapter only if the agreement is in writing but is not part of the standard lease, the tenant has equal bargaining power and is represented by an attorney.

Formal legal advice and review are recommended prior to the selection and use of this information. RHAWA does not represent your selection or execution of this information as appropriate for your specific circumstance. The material contained and represented herein, although obtained from reliable sources, is not considered legal advice or to be used as a substitution for legal counsel.