State rules
Cap: the lesser of 7% + CPI or 10% — 9.683% for increases taking effect in 2026, set by the Department of Commerce. 90 days' notice on the state's prescribed form. Older guides that say 60 days are describing a law that no longer exists.
| Amount cap | A statewide percentage cap applies — see below. |
|---|---|
| Notice for an increase | 90 days' written notice for a change in a month-to-month tenancy. |
| Frequency | No increase at all in the first 12 months of a tenancy; the cap then applies per 12-month period. |
| Retaliation window | 90 days — an increase inside it is presumed retaliatory. |
| Local rent caps | Not barred statewide; check your city. |
| Sources | RCW 59.18.140, 59.18.700–.720 (HB 1217) |
For increases taking effect in 2026 the Department of Commerce maximum is 9.683% (7% + CPI, capped at 10%); for 2027 the published figure is 10%. No increase of any amount in the first 12 months of a tenancy. Notice is 90 days on the state’s prescribed form — older guides saying 60 days describe a law repealed in 2025. Exemptions: new construction (12 years), some affordable housing, owner-shared homes, and small owner-occupied properties — and an exemption claim must state its facts on the notice itself.
Manufactured and mobile home lots: a flat 5% cap and 180 days' notice — the longest park notice in the country.
Own a manufactured home on a rented lot? Washington has a dedicated park file: lot-rent rules for Washington parks.
Rules checked October 2026
Sources: RCW 59.18.140, 59.18.700–.720 (HB 1217). Information, not legal advice.