Washingtoner - Tacoma City Council Passes Ordinance 29086 Amending the Rental Housing Code and Landlord Fairness Code Initiative

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On December 9, 2025 ~ After a year of extensive community outreach, research, and careful consideration, the Tacoma City Council has passed Ordinance 29086 on December 9, 2025. This ordinance amends the Rental Housing Code and the Landlord Fairness Code Initiative in order to preserve access to housing and expand tenant rights in Tacoma.

District 2 Council Member Sarah Rumbaugh expressed her thoughts on the review of the Landlord Fairness Code Initiative, stating that it was focused on protecting families and reducing homelessness while balancing the needs of landlords, tenants, and the city. However, she also acknowledged that the initiative had unintended consequences for low-income housing providers who serve those in need.

In order to inform their proposed changes to the Landlord Fairness Code Initiative, the City Council took a data-driven approach. Data from organizations such as the Tacoma-Pierce County Affordable Housing Consortium and Tacoma Housing Authority showed that the initiative was placing a significant strain on low-income housing providers' resources and budgets. It also resulted in tenants accumulating large debts after eviction, making it difficult for them to secure housing in the future.

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Amanda DeShazo, Executive Director of the Tacoma-Pierce County Affordable Housing Consortium, expressed gratitude towards Council Member Rumbaugh for securing an exemption for their members from the Landlord Fairness Code Initiative. She emphasized their commitment to providing safe and sustainable housing for vulnerable populations.

The amendment to the Landlord Fairness Code Initiative includes enhanced renter protections by expanding relocation assistance options for tenants. Under this amendment, landlords raising rents by more than 5 percent within a 12-month period will be required to pay relocation assistance if requested by a tenant. Additionally, if a tenant requests relocation assistance but decides not to relocate, they will have 10 days to repay their landlord.

At-Large Council Member Olgy Diaz commended Council Member Rumbaugh's efforts in leading an inclusive and transparent process throughout the year-long review of the Landlord Fairness Code Initiative. She stated that the changes made were a result of authentic outreach and listening to the community, ultimately benefiting both tenants and affordable housing providers.

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The amendment also addresses the disproportionate impact of eviction limitations on individuals who own and rent out few units in the city. This includes exemptions for individuals who live on a property with both a single-family home and an accessory dwelling unit, as well as landlords who own four or fewer units in the city from the cold-weather eviction prohibition.

Council Member Sandesh Sadalge shared his perspective on the need for reforming landlord-tenant laws in Tacoma, citing his experience with more flexible policies on the east coast. He expressed his support for these initial revisions to the Landlord Fairness Code Initiative and looks forward to further discussions in the future to address this issue holistically.

Sponsored by Council Member Rumbaugh and co-sponsored by Council Members Diaz, Walker, and Sadalge, Ordinance 29086 will go into effect on January 1, 2026. The latest information on landlord-tenant policy in Tacoma will be available soon on tacoma.gov/rentingintacoma. The City Council's Community, Vitality, and Safety Committee will continue to review and research landlord-tenant policy topics in 2026.

Filed Under: Government, City

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