Spokane Landlord-Tenant Rules
Spokane adds local rules on top of Washington landlord-tenant law. Here is what is different, with the city code or agency page behind each rule.
| Mandatory pre-filing eviction prevention (nonpayment) | Since June 1, 2026, a landlord seeking to evict for nonpayment of rent must first go through the City's free 30-day eviction prevention process before filing an unlawful detainer case. The landlord must enroll with the program and give the tenant the City's standardized notice of eviction prevention resources. Either side may start the process. If the landlord starts it at or before the 14-day pay-or-vacate notice, the tenant has 5 days to say in writing that they want to take part. Otherwise the tenant may opt in within 10 days of getting the resources notice. The landlord must take part in good faith for 30 days from that notice before filing. Rental assistance may be available but is not guaranteed, and the rent is still owed. Exemptions: health and safety violations, imminent threat of harm or harassment, or a tenant arrested for criminal activity on the premises. A landlord's failure to give the notice or follow the process is a defense to eviction. Mobile and manufactured home tenancies are also covered. Program FAQ: https://my.spokanecity.org/housing/eviction-prevention/faqs/. The City says the process applies only to nonpayment evictions. The ordinance text refers to evictions under RCW 59.18.650 generally. |
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| Notice of eviction prevention resources | Landlords must give tenants the City's written list of eviction prevention programs and state-funded pre-eviction legal aid: at lease signing or start of tenancy, at each renewal, with or before any 14-day pay-or-vacate notice, with any rent increase notice, and before asking a tenant to sign a mutual termination agreement. Source: SMC 10.57.220 |
| Rent increase notice (120/180 days) | For leases or renewals signed after June 23, 2024, landlords must give at least 120 days' written notice of a rent increase of 3% or less, and at least 180 days' notice of an increase above 3%. In subsidized tenancies where rent is based on income, 30 days' notice is required. The notice must state the percentage increase, the new rent and the effective date, be served under RCW 59.12.040, and since June 1, 2026 include the notice of eviction prevention resources. Landlords may not retaliate against tenants for using these rights. If a landlord violates this rule and the tenant did not cause it, the tenant may sue or end the rental agreement by written notice. The statewide rent increase cap (RCW 59.18.700) still applies and is covered on the Washington state page. |
| Rental registration, business license & inspections | Every long-term rental (30 days or more) must be registered every year through the City's online portal, and the owner must hold a City of Spokane business license endorsement. The fee is the standard business license fee, listed as $131, plus $15 per unit per year. Certain public, subsidized and voucher-occupied units are exempt from the $15 fee. Registration requires a declaration that each unit meets state habitability standards (RCW 59.18.060). A landlord who is not licensed and registered may not raise rent or evict, although compliance before the court order or writ cures this. Code Enforcement may do periodic inspections of registered properties, with tenant consent or a warrant, and complaint-based inspections. The first inspection and first reinspection are free. Repeat offenders can face $2,500 per unresolved violation. Owners must give each tenant a link to the City's tenant-rights website. Code text: https://my.spokanecity.org/smc/?Section=10.57.020 and https://my.spokanecity.org/smc/?Section=10.57.040. Source: SMC 10.57.020; SMC 10.57.040 |
| Disclosures and move-in condition | Before signing a lease, landlords must disclose any history of mold, any remediation, and any mold-related health concerns past tenants reported. They must also disclose any known history of methamphetamine manufacturing. Landlords must tell tenants within 10 days if the building or parcel is listed for sale, and after a sale give the new owner's contact information. Before move-in, the landlord must self-inspect and make all repairs needed for habitability, and must keep move-in and move-out inspection records for 3 years. Source: SMC 10.57.110; SMC 10.57.120 |
| Cooling requirement | Landlords may not prohibit tenants from installing or using a portable cooling device, except as state law allows. At least one room in each rental must have cooling equipment that keeps it adequately cool, and lack of cooling is a defective condition. After written notice, a landlord has 72 hours to fix it. Otherwise the tenant may end the lease, pursue other remedies, or install cooling and deduct the documented cost from rent, up to $500 adjusted for inflation each June 1. New and renewed leases must include a separate notice of cooling rights. Hardship extensions of up to 2 years are available. Passed July 29, 2026. The ordinance takes effect on its 'effective date', which was not confirmed. Source: SMC 10.57.175 |
| Algorithmic rent-setting ban | Landlords may not pay for an algorithm service that coordinates rents among landlords, and providers may not offer such coordination to two or more landlords. Ordinary recordkeeping software is allowed. The City may seek civil penalties of up to $5,000 per violation per unit and revoke business licenses. Source: SMC 10.57.180 |
| Emergency rent protections (declared disasters) | When the Mayor declares an emergency for a natural disaster or public health emergency, tenants who lose at least 10% of household income because of it and have applied for relief or unemployment may self-certify to the landlord within 5 days of each rent due date. Rent missed during the emergency may be repaid any time in the following 12 months, with no late fees or interest, and this is a defense to a nonpayment eviction. Passed September 9, 2026. Applies only while an emergency declaration is in effect. Source: SMC 10.57.300-.330 |
| Habitability/code enforcement & complaint line | Report rental problems such as no hot water, exposed wiring, leaks or poor weatherproofing to Code Enforcement through 311 (or 509-755-2489), Mon-Fri 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., or online at spokane311.org. Inspections use the substandard-building standards in SMC 17F.070.400. The City's page shows 509-625-2489 in its phone link and 509-755-2489 in the text. Source: SMC 10.57.040; SMC 17F.070.400 |
Eviction cases in Spokane are heard in: Spokane County Superior Court (unlawful detainer actions)
Right to a lawyer in eviction cases
Yes, statewide: Washington provides appointed counsel to eligible low-income tenants in eviction cases. See the Washington state page. Official source
Local agencies
- City of Spokane Code Enforcement — Rental registry, rental inspections and housing complaints. 311 or 509-755-2489, codeenforcement@spokanecity.org.
- City of Spokane Housing and Homeless Services (Pathways to Eviction Diversion) — Runs the mandatory 30-day pre-filing eviction prevention program and provider directory.
Frequently asked questions
What landlord-tenant rules does Spokane add on top of Washington law?
Mandatory pre-filing eviction prevention (nonpayment): Since June 1, 2026, a landlord seeking to evict for nonpayment of rent must first go through the City's free 30-day eviction prevention process before filing an unlawful detainer case. The landlord must enroll with the program and give the tenant the City's standardized notice of eviction prevention resources. Either side may start the process. If the landlord starts it at or before the 14-day pay-or-vacate notice, the tenant has 5 days to say in writing that they want to take part. Otherwise the tenant may opt in within 10 days of getting the resources notice. The landlord must take part in good faith for 30 days from that notice before filing. Rental assistance may be available but is not guaranteed, and the rent is still owed. Exemptions: health and safety violations, imminent threat of harm or harassment, or a tenant arrested for criminal activity on the premises. A landlord's failure to give the notice or follow the process is a defense to eviction. Mobile and manufactured home tenancies are also covered.; Notice of eviction prevention resources: Landlords must give tenants the City's written list of eviction prevention programs and state-funded pre-eviction legal aid: at lease signing or start of tenancy, at each renewal, with or before any 14-day pay-or-vacate notice, with any rent increase notice, and before asking a tenant to sign a mutual termination agreement.; Rent increase notice (120/180 days): For leases or renewals signed after June 23, 2024, landlords must give at least 120 days' written notice of a rent increase of 3% or less, and at least 180 days' notice of an increase above 3%. In subsidized tenancies where rent is based on income, 30 days' notice is required. The notice must state the percentage increase, the new rent and the effective date, be served under RCW 59.12.040, and since June 1, 2026 include the notice of eviction prevention resources. Landlords may not retaliate against tenants for using these rights. If a landlord violates this rule and the tenant did not cause it, the tenant may sue or end the rental agreement by written notice.; Rental registration, business license & inspections: Every long-term rental (30 days or more) must be registered every year through the City's online portal, and the owner must hold a City of Spokane business license endorsement. The fee is the standard business license fee, listed as $131, plus $15 per unit per year. Certain public, subsidized and voucher-occupied units are exempt from the $15 fee. Registration requires a declaration that each unit meets state habitability standards (RCW 59.18.060). A landlord who is not licensed and registered may not raise rent or evict, although compliance before the court order or writ cures this. Code Enforcement may do periodic inspections of registered properties, with tenant consent or a warrant, and complaint-based inspections. The first inspection and first reinspection are free. Repeat offenders can face $2,500 per unresolved violation. Owners must give each tenant a link to the City's tenant-rights website.
← All Washington landlord-tenant rules
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.