Issaquah Begins Exploring Rental Fee Transparency Ordinance
Issaquah Begins Exploring Rental Fee Transparency Ordinance
The Issaquah City Council has directed staff to begin exploring a rental fee transparency ordinance, making it the latest Washington jurisdiction to consider legislation aimed at increasing transparency around the cost of renting housing.
While no ordinance language has been drafted or endorsed, the Council voted to add rental fee transparency to its work plan for the second quarter of 2027. During the meeting, the City Attorney indicated that Bellingham's ordinance would likely serve as the starting point for staff's draft, with modifications to address concerns over several definitions.
Council discussion reflected a range of perspectives
The discussion highlighted that councilmembers generally agreed on the value of transparency but differed on whether a local ordinance is the appropriate approach.
Several councilmembers expressed support for moving forward with a local ordinance, while others indicated they would prefer the issue be addressed through statewide legislation. At the same time, several members noted they could support local action in the future if the Legislature does not address the issue or if a local ordinance ultimately proves necessary.
Another recurring theme was implementation and enforcement. Multiple councilmembers questioned whether the City has the staffing and administrative resources necessary to effectively implement and enforce a local ordinance and discussed whether a private right of action alone would provide sufficient enforcement.
Councilmembers also discussed whether there is evidence that rental fee transparency is a significant issue within Issaquah. City staff stated they have not received complaints related to rental fee transparency, prompting discussion about whether additional community outreach should occur before legislation is drafted. Other councilmembers argued that a lack of complaints should not necessarily be interpreted as evidence that the issue does not exist.
The meeting also included a broader discussion about rental fees, housing affordability, and Washington's rent cap law. Some councilmembers expressed concern that housing providers may be relying more heavily on fees following the adoption of the statewide rent cap. Community input referenced during the meeting included online discussions from local renters regarding rental fees.
Bellingham ordinance expected to serve as starting point
One of the most significant takeaways from the meeting was the City's decision to use Bellingham's rental fee transparency ordinance as the foundation for its initial draft.
The City Attorney stated that staff intends to prepare a draft similar to Bellingham's ordinance while making revisions to address concerns with several definitions. While the final proposal may differ substantially, this provides the clearest indication to date of the framework staff expects to begin with.
WMFHA remains engaged
WMFHA participated in the Council's discussion and has already begun following up with city leaders to share our perspective and offer our operational experience as a resource throughout the drafting process.
We shared that many professionally managed housing providers have already made significant investments in improving rental fee transparency by expanding pricing disclosures and providing tools that help prospective renters better understand their expected monthly housing costs before signing a lease.
We also encouraged the City to build on these existing industry practices should it move forward with legislation. Drawing from the operational experience of housing providers can help ensure any future ordinance is practical to administer, minimizes unnecessary administrative burdens, and avoids unintended consequences for both renters and housing providers.
What comes next
As staff begins developing draft ordinance language, WMFHA will remain actively engaged throughout the process, provide operational feedback as the proposal evolves, and advocate for a practical, workable approach to rental fee transparency.
Additional Resources
- City Council agenda packet: [https://issaquah.civicweb.net/document/387416/?printPdf=true]
- City Council meeting recording: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ah01WPpDrQA&t=11810s]