City protections
Seattle renter rules
Long notice runways and eviction protections layered on Washington's new statewide cap.
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180-day increase notice
Seattle requires 180 days' written notice for rent increases - the longest runway of any major U.S. city - on top of Washington's statewide increase cap (2025).
Just cause
Seattle's Just Cause Eviction Ordinance means month-to-month tenancies can only be ended for one of the listed reasons.
Cold-season protections
Seattle restricts certain evictions during winter months and for school-year households - timing that matters if you're facing a case.
The state layer underneath
City rules sit on top of Washington state law - deposits, entry notice, and eviction process still come from the state.