Rental Registration and Inspection Programs

Today, most cities in Washington require housing providers to obtain a standard business license – some per business entity, some for each property. Some require a separate rental housing registration, but most do not. Each local government is unique. The majority of cities and counties in Washington do not currently monitor residential rental property condition other than responding to tenant complaints about housing code violations. Only a select group have programs that require routine periodic inspections on all rental properties under their jurisdiction. RHAWA makes an effort to learn about and share information on these types of programs, but it is challenging for us to manage an exhaustive list. All rental housing providers should carefully review the city website where each property is located and look for any regulations related to rental housing. If the property is not within any city limits, check the county website. The listings below summarize programs currently known to RHAWA, including new programs in Spokane and Olympia. If you are aware of additional city registration and inspection programs, or identify changes needed in our summary, please let us know by emailing Denise Myers at dmyers@RHAwa.org. 

For more information on inspections, attend our upcoming class session with Brent Lindblom from Ideal Inspection Services – Rental Inspections: City Requirements on February 7. Register at RHAwa.org/events. 

Aberdeen - Since 2019
•    Registration + annual renewal for all residential rental housing units, single-family homes to large multi-family communities.
•    Fees: $50 + $2/additional unit 
•    All registered rental properties must be inspected at least once every 3 years.
•    Owner must hire qualified rental housing inspector or City inspector for inspections.

Bellingham - Since 2015
•    Annual Registration required for each residential rental housing unit.
•    Fees: $16-$20 per unit
•    Property inspections required every 3-3.5 years. 
•    Owner can hire City Inspector for $100 or use private inspector + pay $45 fee to City.

Burien - Since 2021
•    Annual Housing Business License required for each residential rental property.
•    Fees: $303.75-$911.24 for each property based on number of units.
•    Every three years, at least 20 percent of a property’s rental units are required to be inspected.
•    Owner must hire qualified inspector from a list provided by the City.

Kent - Since 2013
•    All properties subject to inspection must be registered.
•    Fees: No registration fee; $15 for online submission of inspection report.
•    Property inspections required every 3 years. Single-Family Homes not subject to inspection.
•    The owner must hire a qualified rental housing inspector

Lakewood - Since 2016
•    Rental properties must be registered annually. 
•    (Rental Housing Safety Program website currently offline)
•    Property inspections required every 5 years.

Mountlake Terrace - Since 2012
•    Licensing + annual renewal for all residential rental housing properties.
•    Fees: $40 + $1.50/additional unit
•    All registered rental properties must be inspected at least once every 3 years.
•    City or county inspectors conduct all inspections at no charge to the owner.

Olympia - Begins 2024/25
•    Registration and business licensing + annual renewal for all residential rental housing properties.
•    Fees: $35 per unit/year registration. $50 per business entity (one time); $30 annual endorsement, $5 annual license renewal.
•    Annual registration required as of March 1, 2024.
•    Inspection every 5 years as of January 1, 2025.

Pasco - Since 1997
•    Licensing + annual renewal for all residential rental housing properties.
•    Fees: $50 + $10/additional unit
•    All registered rental properties must be inspected at least once every 2 years.
•    City inspectors conduct inspections at no charge to the owner, or owner may hire qualified private housing inspector.

Prosser - Since 2012
•    Business License required.
•    Fees: $10 to register; $5 annual renewal.
•    Property inspections required every 5 years.
•    Inspection done by city for a fee or qualified private inspector paid by owner.

Renton - Since 2019
•    Annual rental registration for each property.
•    Fees: None
•    ISelf-certify compliance.

Seattle - Since 2014
•    All rental properties must be registered and renewed every two years.
•    Fees: $110 per property including one unit; $20 for each additional unit
•    Inspection required once every 5-10 years, based on lottery selection.
•    Inspection done by city for a fee or qualified private inspector paid by owner.

Spokane - Since 2023
•    All rental properties must be registered on city portal. 
•    Fees: $127 annual business license fee + $15 per unit.
•    Cause-based code enforcement inspections only.
•    No inspection fee charged to landlord unless there are repeat offences.

Tacoma - Since 2019
•    A Rental Business License is required for each legal entity and must be renewed annually. 
•    Fees: $25-$1,500 based on anticipated gross income.
•    Landlord must self-certify that properties meet minimum inspection criteria.

Tukwila - Since 2011
•    Rental Business License is required and must be renewed annually. 
•    Fees: $84-$340 per property based on number of units.
•    Each unit must be inspected before renting and then once every four years.
•    Inspection done by city for a fee or qualified private inspector paid by owner.