How Washington State’s New Rent Control Law Compares to Oregon’s Statewide Rules
Governor Ferguson signed Washington’s HB 1217. Rent control in Washington State is effective immediately. It is stricter than Oregon’s. Here are the differences:
*Oregon’s exemption for new buildings is 15 years, whereas Washington’s is 12.
*Oregon does not have a statewide cap on deposits, but cities may impose them
*Oregon does not have a statewide cap on late fees, whereas Washington has a 2-5% cap based on the month of delinquency.
*Oregon’s Attorney General does not sue on behalf of tenants, whereas Washington’s AG does, with fines up to $7,500 per violation
*Oregon’s rent control is permanent unless repealed. Washington’s law ends July 1, 2040.
Here’s a chart on how Washington’s new rent control law (HB 1217, 2025) compares to Oregon’s statewide rent control law (SB 608, passed in 2019 and amended in 2023).
⚖️ Side-by-Side Comparison: Washington vs. Oregon Rent Control
| Feature | Washington (HB 1217, 2025) | Oregon (SB 608 + 2023 Update) |
| Effective Year | 2025 | 2019 (amended 2023) |
| Applies to | Residential + Manufactured/Mobile Home Rentals | Residential rentals only (not manufactured home spaces) |
| Rent Cap | Lesser of 7% + CPI or 10% | Lesser of 7% + CPI or 10% |
| CPI Used | Seattle CPI-U (June) | West Region CPI-U (September) |
| Frequency Limit | Once every 12 months | Once every 12 months |
| First-Year Rent Increases | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Exemptions | – Units <12 years old – Owner-occupied SFRs & plexes – Certain nonprofit & tax-credit units – Shared housing with owner | – Units <15 years old – Government-subsidized units with rent caps |
| Notification Requirements | 90-day written notice + state-mandated form | 90-day written notice |
| Deposit Cap | 1 month’s rent (2 months with pets) | No statewide cap (some cities may impose limits) |
| Lease Type Parity | maximum 5% rent premium allowed for different lease types | No restriction on lease-type pricing differentials |
| Late Fee Cap | 2–5% scale based on the month of delinquency | There is no statewide cap, but any limits must be considered “reasonable.” |
| Enforcement | Tenants or Attorney General: fines up to $7,500 per violation | Civil claim by tenant; no AG enforcement provision |
| Expiration | July 1, 2040 | No sunset—permanent unless repealed |
🧠 Key Differences
🔍 Scope
- Washington goes further by
- Including manufactured/mobile home communities
- Capping move-in fees & deposits
- Capping late fees
- Requiring a state-issued rent increase notice form
🛠️ Enforcement
- Washington empowers the Attorney General to investigate, enforce, and issue penalties—Oregon does not.
🧾 Fee & Lease Restrictions
- Oregon doesn’t touch security deposit limits, late fees, or lease-parity pricing.
- Washington regulates all three.
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