A new law enacted by the City of Tacoma exempts public housing and low-income rental housing providers from the winter eviciton ban and school year eviciton ban.
The law also exempts owners of four or fewer units from the cold weather eviction ban (but not from the school year eviction ban). The fewer than five units exemption matches Seattle’s winter eviction ban exemption.
All owners may petition a court for relief from various provisions upon demonstrating undue hardship.
Some of the changes of broader application are summarized below. This short summary is not a substitute for legal advice. If you are a Tacoma landlord with questions about the local housing codes, please contact our office.
Rent increases.
Since 2023, Tacoma has required two rent increase notices, served months apart.
Beginning January 1, 2026, there will be one notice period of 180 days, rather than two notices served months apart as under the current local law.
Late fees.
Late fees are capped at 1.5% of the rent, rather than a $75 cap.
Cold-weather eviction ban.
The cold-weather eviction ban period is shortened to November 15 through March 15.
The cold-weather eviction ban now applies to tenants at or below 125% of the median income.
The new law grants an exemption from the cold weather eviction ban for owners with 4 or fewer units.
Undue owner hardships.
The law allows courts to exempt an owner from the provisions of local Tacoma landlord-tenant laws upon a showing of undue hardship.
For undue hardship exemptions, the court is to consider factors such as
- the amount of unpaid rent
- underlying owner costs such as mortgage payments, utilities, and other expenses
- financial resources of the owner
- number of units owned by the landlord
- personal hardship of the owner, such as illness or accident, unemployment, divorce, or job relocation
Exemptions for public and low-income landlords.
Low-income housing providers are exempt from local Tacoma landlord-tenant codes.
