Seattle City Council Bans Rental Junk Fees

The Seattle City Council unanimously passed legislation on August 12, 2026, banning landlords from charging rental junk fees. The ordinance prohibits charges deemed unfair or excessive, specifically targeting pet rent, administrative service fees, package collection, and common area access fees. Landlords are now required to disclose all mandatory and optional fees upfront in advertisements and are prohibited from marking up third-party services.

Permitted charges remain limited to security deposits, move-in costs, utility fees, application screening, and charges for lockouts or lost keys. To ensure compliance, the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections has been granted subpoena power to investigate violations. The Seattle City Attorney's Office can seek the recovery of three times the amount of any illegally charged fees.

Mayor Katie Wilson and Councilmember Dionne Foster championed the bill as a necessary step toward housing affordability and market transparency. However, the Rental Housing Association of Washington and the Washington Multi-Family Housing Association opposed the measure. Opponents argue the ban disproportionately burdens small landlords, who may respond by raising base rents or banning pets entirely, while corporate providers may find ways to bypass the rules.