Wash. Rev. Code § 35.21.830 § 35.21.830
Controls on rent for residential structures -- Prohibited -- Exceptions.
Operative Text
The imposition of controls on rent is of statewide significance and is preempted by the state. No city or town of any class may enact, maintain, or enforce ordinances or other provisions which regulate the amount of rent to be charged for single-family or multiple-unit residential rental structures or sites other than properties in public ownership, under public management, or properties providing low-income rental housing under joint public-private agreements for the financing or provision of such low-income rental housing. This section shall not be construed as prohibiting any city or town from entering into agreements with private persons which regulate or control the amount of rent to be charged for rental properties.
Washington Revised Code § 35.21.830 establishes that rent control is a matter of statewide concern, meaning the state government has reserved exclusive authority over it. As a result, cities and towns across Washington are barred from passing or enforcing local ordinances that cap or otherwise regulate the rent charged for private residential rentals, whether single-family homes or multi-unit buildings. Exceptions exist for publicly owned or managed properties and for housing provided under joint public-private agreements aimed at low-income renters, and the provision does not prevent local governments from voluntarily entering into agreements with private parties that include rent-related terms.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Wash. Rev. Code § 35.21.830, private residential landlords in Washington operate in an environment where no city or town has the legal authority to impose rent caps on market-rate housing. Compliant operators generally set rents according to market conditions and lease terms without concern that a local municipality will override those amounts through a rent-control ordinance. Landlords whose properties fall under public ownership, public management, or a qualifying low-income joint public-private financing agreement should be aware that those arrangements may carry separate rent-related obligations outside the scope of this preemption provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Wash. Rev. Code § 35.21.830 means that, unlike in some other states, tenants in Washington renting privately owned market-rate housing do not have the protection of local rent-control ordinances, because state law prohibits cities and towns from enacting them. Tenants living in publicly owned, publicly managed, or qualifying low-income joint public-private housing may be subject to different rules that could include rent restrictions tied to those specific arrangements. Tenants seeking to understand how this preemption affects their particular housing situation may find it useful to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider familiar with Washington housing law.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 7, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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