City of Olympia, WA

07/17/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/17/2026 15:03

07/17/2026 - 2027 Annual Rent Increases Capped at 10%

Annual Rent Increase Limit

In 2025, a rent stabilization law (HB 1217) went into effect in Washington state, setting a limit on how much a landlord may increase a tenant's rent over a 12-month period. The law amended the Residential Landlord Tenant Act (RLTA), Chapter 59.18 RCW.

The maximum annual rent increase percentage over a 12-month period is either 10% or 7% plus the consumer price index (CPI), whichever is less. The Washington State Department of Commerce determines the CPI and publishes the maximum annual rent increase percentage for residential tenancies on its website. The maximum annual rent increase percentage allowed through December 31, 2026, is 9.683%, and between January 1, 2027 and December 31, 2027, it is 10%.

Notice of Rent Increases

HB 1217 also amended laws regarding notice for rent increases. RCW 59.18.720 requires information that must be included in any notice of a rent increase and requires 90 days' notice for any rent increases.

The City of Olympia requires more than the state's required 90 days' notice for rent increases over certain amounts. OMC 5.82.030 outlines Olympia's requirements for rent increases and information that must be included in the notice to tenants.
  • Olympia requires 120 days' written notice before increasing rent by more than 5%, or by 7% or more within a 12-month period.
    • Ex: a rent increase of 3% may be provided with 90 days' notice and a second increase of 4.5% may be provided later that year with 120 days' notice.
  • Olympia requires 180 days' written notice before increasing rent by 10% or more.
  • Olympia allows tenants to break their lease early without penalty after receiving an increase over the amounts listed above.
  • Olympia requires landlords to offer tenants economic displacement relocation assistance when increasing rent by 7% or more within a 12-month time period.

Resource Information

The City of Olympia has created a template rent increase notice form that includes both state and city required information available on the Landlord Information webpage.

For more information about landlord responsibilities under the rent stabilization legislation, see the Washington State Attorney General's Office fact sheet.

For more information about landlord responsibilities under the City of Olympia's Rental Housing Code, see the Landlord Information webpage.

For additional questions, contact City of Olympia Housing Program staff.
Contact
Christa Lenssen, Senior Housing Program Specialist
Community Planning & Economic Development
360.570.3762
[email protected]
City of Olympia, WA published this content on July 17, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on July 17, 2026 at 21:03 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]