Tacoma City Council modifies housing initiative to address landlord concerns

(The Center Square) – A proposed ordinance revising the voter-approved Tacoma Landlord Fairness Code Initiative has been modified after initial feedback to lessen the impact on low-income renters.

The initiative, narrowly approved by voters in 2023, requires landlords to provide two rent-increase notices – one 210 to 180 days in advance and 120 to 90 days before a rent change. After concerns were raised by low-income housing providers about the initiative’s impact, the Tacoma City Council is proposing changes, as is allowed under the Tacoma City Charter following a two-year restriction on any changes has passed.

Tacoma City Councilmember Sarah Rumbaugh’s original proposal would have replaced the dual-notice system with a single 120-day notice – 30 days longer than state law. However, since Nov 18, the draft has been revised to extend the notice requirements to raise rents from 120 days to 180 days, aligning with the...