Seattle ‘Do Not Solicit’ list law will go into effect in 2027 with hopes of slowing displacement and protecting ‘generational wealth’

(Image: City of Seattle)

Mayor Katie Wilson has signed a citywide “Do Not Solicit” list to protect residents from predatory, high-pressure real estate outreach. The list will give new authority to the Seattle Office for Civil Rights.

CHS reported here on the bill championed by Councilmember Dionne Foster and community groups like Black Legacy Homeowners, the measure aims to prevent displacement and preserve generational wealth, particularly among seniors and communities of color frequently targeted by aggressive buyers seeking undervalued home sales.

Predatory homebuying practices “have particularly impacted elderly homeowners and communities of color, contributing to displacement, widening economic disparities, and undermining generational wealth,” the city says.

Once enrolled, homeowners are protected starting 30 days after listing. Entities violating the ban face steep civil penalties: $1,000 for a first offense and $2,000 for each repeat violation, with each day considered a separate infraction. Residents can also pursue civil legal action within two years, including damages for emotional distress.

In 2023, CHS reported on the Black Legacy Homeowners effort formed to celebrate and protect Black home ownership in the Central District from gentrification and predatory development. The new ordinance will make the aggressive real estate practices illegal.

Enforced by the Seattle Office for Civil Rights, the registry officially takes effect on June 1, 2027, with enrollment details scheduled to open closer to the launch date.

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