Renting in Tacoma

On July 11, 2023, the Tacoma City Council passed Amended Substitute Ordinance 28894, which updated the Rental Housing Code (RHC) (TMC 1.95, RHC) which went into effect on July 24, 2023.

A landlord shall provide the tenant a copy of the “Renting in Tacoma” booklet to any tenant or prospective tenant when a rental agreement is offered, whether or not the agreement is for a new or renewal agreement. This information must also be provided to existing tenants within thirty (30) days of being made available by the City of Tacoma. The initial distribution of information to tenants must be in written form and landlords must obtain the tenant’s signature documenting receipt of such information.

Screening: Income-to-Rent Ratio Requirements (HUD FMR)

Per TMC 1.95.035, landlords cannot:

• Exceed maximum income-to-rent ratios when determining eligibility.

If monthly rent is BELOW HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) the income-to-rent ratio would be 3x’s monthly rent to qualify.

If monthly rent is ABOVE HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) the income-to-rent ratio would be 2.5x’s monthly rent to qualify.

Example: FMR for 2 bedrooms is $1,987 and your rent is $2,100, the tenant would be required to have an income of $5,250 to qualify at 2.5x’s monthly rent.

Example: FMR for 2 bedrooms is $1,987 and your rent is $1,500, the tenant would be required to have a monthly income of $4,500 to qualify at 3x’s monthly rent.

Landlords must comply with all notice provisions outlined in TMC 1.95 and TMC 1.100. If during tenancy, a landlord must serve a notice under RCW 59.18.030, TMC 1.95, or TMC 1.100, the landlord is also required to serve the associate “Notice of Resource” prepared by the City of Tacoma.

Required Notices/Forms:

• 120-Day Notice of Rent Increase-RHC
• 210-Day Notice of Rent Increase-Landlord Fairness Code Initiative (LFCI)
• Reminder Notice of Rent Increase-LFCI
• Installment Payment Plan Request-RHC

Required “Notice of Resources” forms:

• Notice of Rent Increase
• Notice to Terminate Tenancy
• Notice to Comply or Vacate
• Notice to Quit for Waste, Nuisance, or Unlawful Business
• Notice to Pay or Vacate

On July 11, 2023, the Tacoma City Council passed Amended Substitute Ordinance 28894, which updated the Rental Housing Code (RHC) (TMC 1.95, RHC) which went into effect on July 24, 2023.

Screening: Income-to-Rent Ratio Requirements (HUD FMR)

Per TMC 1.95.035, landlords cannot:

• Exceed maximum income-to-rent ratios when determining eligibility.

If monthly rent is BELOW HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) the income-to-rent ratio would be 3x’s monthly rent to qualify.

If monthly rent is ABOVE HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) the income-to-rent ratio would be 2.5x’s monthly rent to qualify.

Example: FMR for a 2-bedroom is $1,987 and your rent is $2,100, the tenant would be required to have an income of $5,250 to qualify at 2.5x’s monthly rent.

Example: FMR for 2 bedrooms is $1,987 and your rent is $1,500, the tenant would be required to have a monthly income of $4,500 to qualify at 3x’s monthly rent.

Business License, Health, and Safety Requirements

A landlord will not be able to pursue eviction or increase rent without a current City of Tacoma business license or if a dwelling unit does not comply with RCW 59.18.060 and presents conditions that endanger or impair tenant health and safety.

See if a rental property is registered and has a business license.

Search Rental Property Owners with a Business License.

Rental Housing Code Resources for Tenants

According to TMC 1.95.030 at the time of application, prospective tenants have the right to access information about code violations, findings of discrimination, and how to register to vote.

Code Violations

You may access information online about current and previous violations by entering an address on the Code Violations web page. If you have questions about a case, please contact Tacoma FIRST 311 by calling 3-1-1 or (253) 591-5000 outside City limits. When calling, be prepared with the case number or address you’d like to discuss.

Rental Housing Code

Read the Rental Housing Code (TMC 1.95).

Landlord Fairness Code Initiative

Read the Landlord Fairness Code Initiative (TMC 1.100).

Washington State Voter Registration Information can be found at sos.wa.gov.

Tenant Relocation Assistance Funding

Under Tacoma Municipal Code 1.95, eligible tenant households are entitled to receive relocation assistance of $2,000 to assist in the costs of moving in situations where they are being displaced due to significant rehabilitation, demolition, or change in use of their rented residence. The property owner is required to pay half that amount ($1,000), and the City of Tacoma pays the remaining half ($1,000 per unit).

To receive relocation assistance, tenants must meet several requirements:

1. Qualify as low-income: The total combined income for all occupants of your housing unit cannot exceed 50% of the median income for a household of that size in this area.
2. Reside in the housing unit at the time the owner notified the City of Tacoma about the planned change in property.
3. Complete and return the landlord-provided Relocation Assistance Certification Form to the City of Tacoma no later than 20 days after receiving the packet.

How to Apply for Relocation Assistance

If you believe your household qualifies based on your income and the reason your tenancy was terminated, please complete and submit the Relocation Assistance Packet (that you should receive from your landlord with your 120-day notice to vacate) and the verifying documents to:

Relocation Assistance Program
747 Market Street, Room 836
Tacoma, WA 98402

You may also email packets to tenantrelocationassistance@tacoma.gov.

The City of Tacoma recognizes that the rental market in Tacoma is drastically changing. The City has been working in collaboration with its Rental Housing Stakeholder Advisory Group to increase the availability of housing in Tacoma and ensure that every resident in Tacoma, including our most vulnerable populations, has access to stable housing. The City’s Rental Housing Stakeholder Advisory Group is comprised of City of Tacoma staff, non-profit and affordable housing representatives, landlord and tenant advocates, and legal representatives.

The Rental Housing Code (RHC) does not replace the Washington State Residential Landlord-Tenant Act (RCW 59.18, RLTA). However, it does expand on certain protections under the RLTA and allows the City to regulate and enforce violations of the RHC.

If you own, operate, or rent residential rental property within the Tacoma city limits, the Rental Housing Code applies to you. Verify if your rental property is within the Tacoma city limits.