SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL - Record No: CB 118403

• Record No: CB 118403
• Version: 1
• Council Bill No: CB 118403
• Type: Ordinance (Ord)
• Status: Passed
• Current Controlling Legislative Body: City Clerk
• On agenda: 9/21/2015
• Ordinance No: Ord 124862
• Title: AN ORDINANCE related to rental housing; and amending Seattle Municipal Code subsection 22.206.160.C to require the owners of rental housing units to provide additional advance written notice to tenants prior to eviction.
• Sponsors: Tim Burgess, John Okamoto
• Supporting documents: 1. Summary and Fiscal Note, 2. Central Staff Memo (9/17/15), 3. Central Staff Memo (6/4/15), 4. Signed Ord 124862

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
9/29/2015	1	City Clerk	attested by City Clerk
9/29/2015	1	Mayor	returned
9/29/2015	1	Mayor	Signed
9/22/2015	1	City Clerk	submitted for Mayor's signature
9/21/2015	1	City Council	passed	Pass
9/17/2015	1	Committee on Housing Affordability, Human Services, and Economic Resiliency	pass	Pass
5/26/2015	1	City Council	referred
5/20/2015	1	Council President's Office	sent for review
5/20/2015	1	City Clerk	sent for review

CITY OF SEATTLE
ORDINANCE __________________
COUNCIL BILL __________________
title
AN ORDINANCE related to rental housing; and amending Seattle Municipal Code subsection 22.206.160.C to require the owners of rental housing units to provide additional advance written notice to tenants prior to eviction.
body
WHEREAS, an owner of rental housing is currently required to provide 20 days' notice to a tenant when the owner decides to evict a tenant to allow the owner or a member of the owner's immediate family to occupy a unit; and
WHEREAS, similarly, an owner of a single family dwelling unit is currently required to provide 60 days' notice to a tenant when the owner elects to evict the tenant and sell the dwelling unit; and
WHEREAS, the vacancy rate for rental housing in Seattle is currently under 5 percent, making it difficult for tenants to obtain housing in a short time period; and
WHEREAS, providing additional time for a tenant to find new housing in the circumstances described above will help tenants obtain new housing; NOW, THEREFORE;
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF SEATTLE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Subsection 22.206.160.C of the Seattle Municipal Code, which section was last amended by Ordinance 123564, is amended as follows:
C. Just Cause Eviction((.))
1. Pursuant to provisions of the state Residential Landlord-Tenant Act (RCW 59.18.290), owners may not evict residential tenants without a court order, which can be issued by a court only after the tenant has an opportunity in a show cause hearing to contest the eviction (RCW 59.18.380). In addition, owners of housing units shall not evict or attempt to evict any tenant, or otherwise terminate or attempt to terminate the tenancy of any tenant unless the owner can prove in court that just cause exists. The reasons for termination of tenancy listed below, and no others, shall constitute just cause under this ((s))Section 22.206.160:
a. The tenant fails to comply ...