Tacoma City Council Adopts Amendments to Landlord Fairness Code

Following a long review process, the Council adopted amendments intended to address some of the unintended consequences of the original ballot measure that was passed in 2023, particularly its impact on housing providers and affordable housing operations. While these changes do not resolve all outstanding concerns, they represent an important step forward.

At a high level, the approved amendments include the following:

• Adjustments to the winter eviction ban, shortening the protected period to November 15 through March 15

• Changes to late fee limits, increasing the cap from a flat dollar amount to 1.5% of monthly rent

• Targeted exemptions for certain affordable housing providers, recognizing the financial strain the code placed on subsidized housing operations

• Clarifications to small landlord exemptions, though these remain limited in scope

WMFHA’s advocacy team testified before the Tacoma City Council in support of these amendments, emphasizing the need for practical, data driven changes that preserve housing stability while ensuring housing providers can continue operating sustainably. We also acknowledged the Council’s willingness to engage with stakeholders and adjust policies based on real world impacts.

The amended ordinance is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2026.

While these changes improve the code, several provisions continue to present operational challenges. WMFHA will remain actively engaged with City leaders to pursue additional refinements and appreciates the Council’s openness to continued collaboration on behalf of housing providers and residents alike.

As always, we encourage properties to consult their counsel to make sure they are compliant moving forward into the new year.