CITY OF SEATTLE
ORDINANCE __________________
COUNCIL BILL __________________
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AN ORDINANCE relating to residential rental properties; conforming the Seattle Municipal Code with changes in state law; amending Sections 7.24.020, 7.24.030, 22.202.080, 22.206.160, 22.206.180, 22.210.030, and 22.902.120 of the Seattle Municipal Code.
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WHEREAS, in the 2019 session of the Washington State Legislature, the state Residential Landlord-Tenant Act (chapter 59.18 RCW) and unlawful detainer chapter (chapter 59.12 RCW) were amended to give residential tenants more time to respond to an eviction notice, give more notice of a rent increase, and make other changes; and
WHEREAS, certain City codes should be amended to remain consistent with state law; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF SEATTLE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Section 7.24.020 of the Seattle Municipal Code, last amended by Ordinance 125840, is amended as follows:
7.24.020 Definitions
As used in this Chapter 7.24:
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"Housing costs" means ((the compensation or fees paid or charged, usually periodically, for the use of any property. land, buildings, or equipment. For purposes of this chapter, housing costs include the basic)) rent ((charge and any periodic or monthly fees for other services paid to the landlord by the tenant, but do not include utility charges that are based on usage and that the tenant has agreed in the rental agreement to pay, unless the obligation to pay those charges is itself a change in the terms of the rental agreement)) as defined by chapter 59.18 RCW.
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Section 2. Section 7.24.030 of the Seattle Municipal Code, last amended by Ordinance 125558, is amended as follows:
7.24.030 Rental agreement requirements
A. Any rental agreement or renewal of a rental agreement for a residential rental unit in The City of Seattle entered into after October 28, 1998, shall include or shall be deemed to include a provision requiring a minimum of 60 days' prior written notice when...
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