Washington State · State law
9.683%
Washington's statewide maximum annual rent increase is 9.683% for increases between January 1 and December 31, 2026, and 10% for calendar year 2027.
9.683% for increases between January 1 and December 31, 2026. Commerce has published 10% for calendar 2027.
Ceiling: 7% + CPI or 10%, whichever is less
Formula limit from Washington State Department of Commerce.
Calendar-year figures published by Commerce.
Source: Washington State Department of Commerce (HB 1217 Landlord Resource Center).
| Period | Allowed | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 9.683% | Washington State Department of Commerce |
| 2027 | 10% | Washington State Department of Commerce |
Recent changes
The Department of Commerce lists 10% as the maximum annual increase for January 1 – December 31, 2027 under RCW 59.18.700 (7% plus CPI, or 10%, whichever is less). Landlords must give at least 90 days' written notice.
Official source: Washington State Department of Commerce: HB 1217 Landlord Resource Center ↗
Under HB 1217 (2025), the maximum annual increase for January 1 – December 31, 2026 is 9.683%, and rent can't be raised in the first 12 months of a tenancy.
Official source: Washington State Department of Commerce: HB 1217 Landlord Resource Center ↗
§ 1 · The formula
7% + Seattle CPI-U (June to June), max 10%
7% plus the June 12-month change in CPI-U for Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue (BLS series CUURS49DSA0), or 10%, whichever is less. For 2026, Commerce used June 2024 = 354.824 and June 2025 = 364.344.
| Series | From | To | Change | Formula | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CPI-U, Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue (June to June) | June 2025: 364.344 | June 2026: 380.849 | 4.53% | + 7% = 11.53% → cap 10% | Official: 10% (official 2027 cap) |
Index values from api.bls.gov (not seasonally adjusted), pulled October 18, 2026. Agencies may use different months, averages or rounding, so the headline figure on this page is always the officially published one.
Law: RCW 59.18.700–.710 (Engrossed HB 1217, Chapter 209, Laws of 2025).
§ 2 · Coverage
§ 3 · Timing
Notice: See Commerce's Rent and Fee Increase Notice form on the Landlord Resource Center.
Next change: The 10% cap for 2027 takes effect January 1, 2027. The 2028 figure follows the June 2027 CPI, published in mid-July 2027.
| Period | Allowed |
|---|---|
| 2026 | 9.683% |
§ 4 · Sources
“between 1/1/2026 and 12/31/2026 is 9.683%”
“Maximum annual rent increase percent through 12/31/2027: 10%”
“A tenancy in a dwelling unit for which the first certificate of occupancy was issued 12 or less years before the date of the notice of the rent increase.”
“a landlord shall provide a minimum of 90 days' prior written notice of an increase in the amount of rent to each affected tenant”
See something out of date? The methodology page explains how we check figures.
§ 5 · Questions
Washington's statewide maximum annual rent increase is 9.683% for increases between January 1 and December 31, 2026, and 10% for calendar year 2027.
7% plus the June 12-month change in CPI-U for Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue (BLS series CUURS49DSA0), or 10%, whichever is less. For 2026, Commerce used June 2024 = 354.824 and June 2025 = 364.344.
Units whose first certificate of occupancy was issued 12 years or less before the notice. Units owned by public housing authorities, public development authorities and qualifying nonprofits with regulated rents. Qualifying low-income and tax-credit (LIHTC) housing.
The 10% cap for 2027 takes effect January 1, 2027. The 2028 figure follows the June 2027 CPI, published in mid-July 2027.
From Washington State Department of Commerce: “HB 1217 Landlord Resource Center”, which we last checked on October 17, 2026. Always confirm with the agency before relying on it.
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