Shoreline, 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 |
|---|---|
| Rent control / stabilization | No local rent cap. Leases must give at least 120 days' written notice for base rent increases over 3% and under 10%, and 180 days for increases of 10% or more. Subsidized housing needs 30 days. Late fees may not exceed 1.5% of monthly rent. |
| Crime-free housing & nuisance rental rules | It is unlawful to permit a chronic nuisance property, and police reports from calls to aid victims cannot be used for the designation. |
| Security deposit limit | Move-in fees and security deposits together may not exceed one month's rent (the subsidized-housing exception excludes Section 8 vouchers). Tenants on leases of six months or more can pay move-in costs, deposit and last month's rent in six monthly installments. The code states: "All move-in fees and security deposits charged by a landlord before a tenant takes possession of a dwelling unit shall not exceed one month’s rent, except in subsidized housing where the amount of base rent is set based on the income of the tenant." (§ 9.35.040). |
Details & sources
Rent control / stabilization
No local rent cap. Leases must give at least 120 days' written notice for base rent increases over 3% and under 10%, and 180 days for increases of 10% or more. Subsidized housing needs 30 days. Late fees may not exceed 1.5% of monthly rent.
Verified Source: Shoreline Mun. Code ch. 9.35, §§ 9.35.030 and late-fee section · last checked 2026-10-15
Back to quick facts ↑Crime-free housing & nuisance rental rules
It is unlawful to permit a chronic nuisance property, and police reports from calls to aid victims cannot be used for the designation. The code states: "It shall be unlawful for any person to permit a chronic nuisance property" (§ 9.30.030).
Verified Source: Shoreline Municipal Code § 9.30.030 · last checked 2026-10-16
Back to quick facts ↑Security deposit limit
Move-in fees and security deposits together may not exceed one month's rent (the subsidized-housing exception excludes Section 8 vouchers). Tenants on leases of six months or more can pay move-in costs, deposit and last month's rent in six monthly installments. The code states: "All move-in fees and security deposits charged by a landlord before a tenant takes possession of a dwelling unit shall not exceed one month’s rent, except in subsidized housing where the amount of base rent is set based on the income of the tenant." (§ 9.35.040).
Verified Source: Shoreline Municipal Code § 9.35.040 · last checked 2026-10-16
Back to quick facts ↑Research coverage
1 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 | Checked: requirement found | 1 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 | Not researched | 0 of 3 |
| Registration and licensing | Not researched | 0 of 3 |
| Short-term rentals | Not researched | 0 of 2 |
Also applies statewide
Washington rules that also apply in Shoreline:
- 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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