All Laws Decoded

Vancouver Landlord-Tenant Rules

Vancouver 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.

Rental registration & inspectionAs of January 1, 2026, all residential rental units within Vancouver city limits must be registered with the City every year. The fee is $30 per unit per year; 2027 fees are due February 15, 2027. The unit the owner lives in is exempt, but other units on the property (such as an ADU or the other half of a duplex) are not. Registration transfers to a new owner within 60 days of a sale. Health and safety inspections are planned to begin in mid-2027. Continued non-compliance can lead to penalties or fines.
Fee waivers for units with affordability restrictions for households under 60% of area median income are described in the City's FAQ. Penalty amounts are not stated on the City page.
Source: Vancouver Municipal Code (VMC) Ch. 5.08 (adopted July 14, 2025)
Required tenant resources noticeSince January 2026, landlords must provide tenant resources with new leases. The City's Rental Registration Tenant Rights and Resources handout lists local help, including the Housing Solutions Center (360-695-9677), the Clark County Volunteer Lawyers Program (free attorneys for low-income tenants facing eviction, 360-695-5313), Community Mediation Services eviction support (360-334-5862), and Share's Rent Well tenant education course.
Handout (updated October 1, 2025): https://www.cityofvancouver.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Vancouver-Tenant-one-page-info.pdf
Source: VMC Ch. 5.08
Tenant relocation assistanceThe rental registration program creates a tenant relocation assistance fund to help lower-income households move out of uninhabitable units. The City says it will cover renters forced to move because of health and safety issues, landlord non-compliance or natural disasters.
The City pages do not give eligibility rules, amounts or a start date for payments. See also: https://www.cityofvancouver.us/vancouvers-rental-registration-program-to-improve-quality-safety-of-rental-housing/
Source: VMC Ch. 5.08
Habitability/code enforcement & complaint lineReport code violations to Vancouver Code Compliance through the automated hotline, 360-487-7810, or the online File a Code Compliance Concern form (cityofvancouver.us/services/report-concern).
Source: Official source

Eviction cases in Vancouver are heard in: Clark 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). Locally, the Clark County Volunteer Lawyers Program provides free attorneys for low-income tenants facing eviction (360-695-5313). Official source

Local agencies

Frequently asked questions

What landlord-tenant rules does Vancouver add on top of Washington law?
Rental registration & inspection: As of January 1, 2026, all residential rental units within Vancouver city limits must be registered with the City every year. The fee is $30 per unit per year; 2027 fees are due February 15, 2027. The unit the owner lives in is exempt, but other units on the property (such as an ADU or the other half of a duplex) are not. Registration transfers to a new owner within 60 days of a sale. Health and safety inspections are planned to begin in mid-2027. Continued non-compliance can lead to penalties or fines.; Required tenant resources notice: Since January 2026, landlords must provide tenant resources with new leases. The City's Rental Registration Tenant Rights and Resources handout lists local help, including the Housing Solutions Center (360-695-9677), the Clark County Volunteer Lawyers Program (free attorneys for low-income tenants facing eviction, 360-695-5313), Community Mediation Services eviction support (360-334-5862), and Share's Rent Well tenant education course.; Tenant relocation assistance: The rental registration program creates a tenant relocation assistance fund to help lower-income households move out of uninhabitable units. The City says it will cover renters forced to move because of health and safety issues, landlord non-compliance or natural disasters.; Habitability/code enforcement & complaint line: Report code violations to Vancouver Code Compliance through the automated hotline, 360-487-7810, or the online File a Code Compliance Concern form (cityofvancouver.us/services/report-concern).

← All Washington landlord-tenant rules

Last verified against official sources: October 28, 2026.

How we source this page: each state-specific rule links to the statute, court rule or official government page it comes from. A rule taken from a public copy of a state code (used only where the official code is not freely readable online) is marked as a secondary source. Spot an error? Use the contact page to report it. About our sources

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.