Thursday, October 1, 2026
The City of Olympia’s Land Use and Environment Committee will continue discussion on Thursday, Aug. 28, on whether to update the city’s Rental Housing Code in light of Washington’s new rent stabilization law.
House Bill 2017 caps annual rent increases at 7% plus inflation, up to 10%, and requires landlords to give 90 days notice before raising rents.
The law prohibits rent hikes during the first year of tenancy and creates a state-managed template for rent increase notices.
While the legislation provides the first statewide rent stabilization measures, it leaves the City of Olympia with decisions to make regarding the maintenance or adjustment of its own tenant protections.
Compared to the new state law, Olympia’s rental housing code has stronger tenant protection. It mandates include 120 days notice for increases more than 5%, and a 180-day notice for increases of 10% or more. The city also requires landlords to provide relocation assistance when rent is raised by 7% or more in a year, a measure intended to help tenants avoid economic displacement.
City staff outlined three options for the committee to consider:
On July 29, the city council held a study session on rent stabilization legislation and the existing rental housing code. The council raised concerns about housing stability, especially around manufactured home communities.
The council acknowledged while HB 1217 focuses on rent-related protections, it does not address the land use issue or prevent the redevelopment of manufactured home parks.
The Land Use and Environment Committee is expected to provide direction on whether Olympia should amend, remove the local code or maintain its rental housing code in the future.
The Land Use and Environment Committee is expected to provide direction on whether Olympia should amend, remove the local code, or maintain its rental housing code.
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CobraCommander
In before slack-jawed republican ignoramuses attack this
Monday, August 25, 2025 Report this
Honestyandrealityguy
Don't forget, many landlords have tied up everything they have to own an investment lie this. If their tenants don't pay on time, foreclosure. And property taxes, insurance and major repairs increase each year. Common sense please.
Monday, August 25, 2025 Report this
CobraCommander
Aaaand there he is
Monday, August 25, 2025 Report this
Chris_R
Hello Cobra, Would you like to enlighten us with your economic world view on the impact these new policies may have on the supply of rental units?
Monday, August 25, 2025 Report this
JulesJames
Tenants need and deserve predictability. Dump the Olympia statute. Let the state regulate landlord-tenant.
Monday, August 25, 2025 Report this
HappyOlympian
Reducing the rental properties available via over regulation will not help reduce rent burdens. Go with the state regs; laws were passed give them a try for a few years. Olympia govt the worst, one would think this a city of millions with unlimited funds to pay for endless programs and regulations and staff to implement and explain it all.
Tuesday, August 26, 2025 Report this
JohnFronono
Here’s the thing: this isn’t going to solve the problem they’re trying to fix.
If there’s a maximum cap on rent, guess how much rent is going up whether the landlord needs it that year or not.
If the goal is to get the rental market controlled by a few large corporations, you’re accomplishing your goal admirably.
Tuesday, August 26, 2025 Report this
LindaD
Olympia exempts all those new big corporate owned apartment buildings from the very regulations, including exemptions to the rent increases, the city impose on me, a local person with one and only one rental. I wouldn't mind so much if they also capped my property taxes to 10% like the rent. My property taxes on the rental went up 22% last time.
And yes, I will increase rents every year to the legal maximum. I used to only increase rents now and then, but I can't afford to do that anymore. I can't sell because of the tax bite, so I'll find another way out, such as moving in a family member, converting to a business rental, or a short term vacation or visiting nurse rental. It's not just the rent cap, and regulations, it's all the hassle, worry and mental anxiety the city is imposing. It's like picking up a stalker.
I had to join a landlord association to access their paperwork, forms and information to be sure I don't miss anything. I used to have two forms, the application and the lease. Now I have 15 forms to track with penalties if I miss a beat on any of them. Plus a business license I neither need nor want that has to be renewed so the city can pay for it all.
Only 28% of housing providers signed up for the program. That may be the answer, a silent revolt. Don't participate with a "let'em catch me" attitude. And I'm a socialist-adjacent Bernie supporter. Pay attention, city. When you lose me, you've lost support from just about everybody.
Friday, August 29, 2025 Report this