Local Update: Shoreline

ordinance NO. 996 now effective in shoreline

Ordinance NO. 996 effective 12/19/2023 creates additional resident rights in the City of Shoreline. This ordinance applies to all tenancies governed by RCW 59.18 (Residential Rentals) and includes regulations on the following:

Redefinition of “Base Rent” & “Optional Rent”

• "Base Rent" means a recurring and periodic charge identified in the rental agreement for use and occupancy of a dwelling or dwelling unit. Base Rent may include charges for utilities but does not include those the charges defined as Optional Rent.
• "Optional Rent" means recurring and periodic charges identified in the rental agreement that are not required for use and occupancy but that a resident voluntarily agrees to, such as charges for a parking space or a pet.

Notice to Increase Rent

• 120 days for increase of Base Rent greater than 3% but less than 10%
• 180 days for increase of Base Rent 10% or greater
• Notice period to increase Optional Rent remains 60 days

Use of SSN in Screening

• Housing provider may request, but not require, social security number or other tax identification number for the purposes of screening a prospective resident.

Move-in Cost Caps And installments 

• All move-in fees and deposits cannot equal more than one month’s rent.
• All such fees can be paid in six installments.

Late Rent Fee Cap

• Late fees cannot exceed 1.5% of one month rent.
• Resident may propose different rent due date if their primary source of income is government assistance.

Private Right of Action

• Residents have the right to sue their housing provider for violation of the code.
• Housing provider may be liable for the greater of: double the resident's

economic and noneconomic damages or up to three times the monthly Base Rent.

Cap on Notice Fees

• All charges, one-time or recurring, in addition to rent must be included in rental agreement addendum.
• Housing provider may not charge fee for resident access to common areas or share of utilities for common areas for any housing provider duty required by state law, for example mail room.
• Housing provider may not charge fee for issuance of notices to resident.

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