Woof! Seattle passes restrictions on landlord ‘junk fees’ including a ban on dog rent

The Seattle City Council voted unanimously on Tuesday to pass legislation banning rental “junk fees,” delivering a major victory for Mayor Katie Wilson’s housing affordability agenda.

Shepherded through council by Housing Committee Chair Dionne Foster, the ordinance targets hidden and add-on charges that artificially inflate housing costs.

Effective July 1, 2027, landlords in Seattle will no longer be allowed to charge recurring pet rent, package delivery fees, or administrative service fees.

Only eight of the seated council members could weigh in on the bill. Councilmember Maritza Rivera did not vote because she was recused due to owning rental property.

Amendments from District 7 Councilmember Bob Kettle to allow landlords to continue charging rent for dogs capped at $25 a month and to remove the term “junk” from the law were rejected.

CHS reported here on the background of the legislation and the push from the mayor’s office.

The law mandates up-front pricing, requiring advertisements, listings, and applications to detail base rent, mandatory and optional fees, and utility estimates on a standardized summary sheet. Landlords may still collect standard application screening fees, key replacement fees, utilities, and security or pet damage deposits.

Enforcement mechanisms give the City Attorney’s Office authority to take landlords to court where violators face penalties up to triple the amount of any illegal fees charged.

While tenant advocacy groups praised the bill for eliminating hidden costs, industry groups like the Washington Multi-Family Housing Association warned that absorbing compliance costs could ultimately lead housing providers to raise base rents.

The mayor and proponents say the reform will create more fair and predictable costs for renters with the potential to eliminate an unexpected 10% to 30% to a renter’s total monthly costs. Advertised rents may go up as a result, backers say, but “visible and salient” prices will lead to a more competitive and more fair market for renters.

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