Burien, WA local landlord rules
State law also applies. See Washington landlord-tenant law and the Washington landlord FAQ. State rules: Security deposit limit · Deposit return deadline · Notice to enter · Late fees · Eviction notice (nonpayment) · Rent increase notice.
Quick facts
| Topic | At a glance |
|---|---|
| Just-cause eviction | Yes. Owners may not evict or attempt to evict a tenant, or otherwise end a tenancy, except for a just cause listed in the chapter, and only with a court order. |
| Rental inspections | Covered rental properties must be inspected every three years by a qualified rental housing inspector, and the owner must submit a certificate of inspection. The code states: "(1) All residential rental properties subject to the requirements of this chapter must be inspected once every three years based on the property located in the corresponding assigned zone by a qualified rental housing inspector and will require a certificate of inspection within a period established by the director" (§ 5.62.070). |
| Security deposit limit | Security deposits, nonrefundable move-in fees and last month's rent together may not exceed one month's rent (the subsidized-housing exception excludes Section 8 vouchers). On written request, tenants may pay them in installments without extra fees or interest, unless the deposit and fees total no more than 25% of the first month's rent and last month's rent isn't required up front. The code states: "The sum of any security deposits, nonrefundable move-in fees, and/or last month’s rent may not exceed one month’s rent, except in subsidized housing where the amount of rent is set based on the tenants’ income" (§ 5.63.040). |
| Rental licensing / registration | Burien licenses rental housing units under chapter 5.62 BMC, and an owner may not evict from an unlicensed (non-exempt) unit or one whose required inspection is overdue; licensing before the court order or writ of restitution cures this. The code states: "Owners may not evict residential tenants from rental housing units if the units are not licensed with the city of Burien unless exempt under BMC 5.62.040 (1), or if the required rental housing inspection is not completed by the deadline as required by BMC 5.62.070 , regardless of whether just cause for eviction may exist" (§ 5.63.070). |
Details & sources
Just-cause eviction
Yes. Owners may not evict or attempt to evict a tenant, or otherwise end a tenancy, except for a just cause listed in the chapter, and only with a court order.
Verified Source: Burien Mun. Code § 5.63.070 · last checked 2026-10-15
Back to quick facts ↑Rental inspections
Covered rental properties must be inspected every three years by a qualified rental housing inspector, and the owner must submit a certificate of inspection. The code states: "(1) All residential rental properties subject to the requirements of this chapter must be inspected once every three years based on the property located in the corresponding assigned zone by a qualified rental housing inspector and will require a certificate of inspection within a period established by the director" (§ 5.62.070).
Verified Source: Burien Municipal Code § 5.62.070 · last checked 2026-10-16
Back to quick facts ↑Security deposit limit
Security deposits, nonrefundable move-in fees and last month's rent together may not exceed one month's rent (the subsidized-housing exception excludes Section 8 vouchers). On written request, tenants may pay them in installments without extra fees or interest, unless the deposit and fees total no more than 25% of the first month's rent and last month's rent isn't required up front. The code states: "The sum of any security deposits, nonrefundable move-in fees, and/or last month’s rent may not exceed one month’s rent, except in subsidized housing where the amount of rent is set based on the tenants’ income" (§ 5.63.040).
Verified Source: Burien Municipal Code § 5.63.040 · last checked 2026-10-16
Back to quick facts ↑Rental licensing / registration
Burien licenses rental housing units under chapter 5.62 BMC, and an owner may not evict from an unlicensed (non-exempt) unit or one whose required inspection is overdue; licensing before the court order or writ of restitution cures this. The code states: "Owners may not evict residential tenants from rental housing units if the units are not licensed with the city of Burien unless exempt under BMC 5.62.040 (1), or if the required rental housing inspection is not completed by the deadline as required by BMC 5.62.070 , regardless of whether just cause for eviction may exist" (§ 5.63.070).
Verified Source: Burien Municipal Code § 5.63.070 · last checked 2026-10-16
Back to quick facts ↑Research coverage
0 of 13 topics checked at the local level (state law is covered on the state page). A topic counts as checked only when every subtopic in it is checked or no additional requirement was found after a recorded full read. How coverage works.
| Topic | Status | Subtopics done |
|---|---|---|
| Deposits | Partially researched | 1 of 2 |
| Deposit return deadlines | Not researched | None tracked at this level |
| Rent increases and rent control | Not researched | 0 of 1 |
| Late fees | Not researched | None tracked at this level |
| Landlord entry | Not researched | None tracked at this level |
| Repairs and habitability | Not researched | 0 of 1 |
| Screening and application fees | Not researched | None tracked at this level |
| Fair housing and assistance animals | Not researched | 0 of 1 |
| Disclosures | Not researched | 0 of 2 |
| Renewal and termination | Not researched | None tracked at this level |
| Eviction | Partially researched | 1 of 3 |
| Registration and licensing | Partially researched | 2 of 3 |
| Short-term rentals | Not researched | 0 of 2 |
Also applies statewide
Washington rules that also apply in Burien:
- Security deposit limit
- No maximum amount. A deposit requires a written lease and a move-in condition checklist; on written request, tenants may pay deposits, nonrefundable fees and last month's rent in installments (3 monthly payments for terms of 3+ months). Verified Source: RCW 59.18.260; RCW 59.18.610 · last checked 2026-10-23 · Full Washington security deposit limit page
- Deposit return deadline
- Within 30 days after the tenancy ends and the tenant moves out: a full, specific statement of reasons for any retention (with estimates or invoices) plus any refund owed. Verified Source: RCW 59.18.280 · last checked 2026-10-31 · Full Washington deposit return deadline page
- Notice to enter
- At least two days' written notice stating the date(s) and time window, and entry only at reasonable times. One day's notice is enough to show the unit to prospective buyers or tenants. No notice is needed in an emergency or if the unit is abandoned. Verified Source: RCW 59.18.150(5)-(6) · last checked 2026-10-31 · Full Washington notice to enter page
- Late fees
- No late fee for rent paid within 5 days of its due date. After that, late fees may run from the first day after the due date. Verified Source: RCW 59.18.170(2) · last checked 2026-10-31 · Full Washington late fees page
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