SEATTLE — Today, the Seattle City Council unanimously passed key rental junk fee legislation, advancing Mayor Katie B. Wilson’s affordability agenda. The legislation will eliminate rental junk fees like administrative service fees, pet rent and package fees; require clear, upfront pricing for tenants; and strengthen enforcement to support a predictable and equitable rental market.  

“I'm happy to celebrate the elimination of junk fees, creating greater transparency and fairness in the market,” said Mayor Katie B. Wilson. “This is a major step forward in making Seattle an affordable city for working families and their pets. I am grateful to Councilmember Foster and her team for her partnership on this important step forward for renters.”  

Mayor Wilson spent months working directly with renters and in close collaboration with Councilmember Dionne Foster to develop legislation to eliminate junk fees. As both a policymaker and a renter, Wilson said she heard consistently about unexpected and rising fees that make housing even less affordable.  

“I’m grateful for the close partnership of Councilmember Dionne Foster, City Attorney Erika Evans, the Stay Housed, Stay Healthy coalition, labor partners including SEIU 6, UAW 4121, Teamsters 117, UFCW 3000, and all the community partners who were instrumental in advancing these renter protections,” Mayor Wilson said. 

"This important legislation advances consumer protections for renters in our city by making Seattle’s rental market more transparent and affordable," said Councilmember Foster, who drove adoption of the legislation through Council as the Chair of the Housing, Arts, and Civil Rights committee. “We know that transparency creates a better housing market. This legislation gives renters the ability to compare rental options based on their actual cost, not an artificially low advertised price followed by a list of surprise charges. I want to thank the Mayor and her team for advancing this vital work.” 

If landlords violate the junk fee ban, the City Attorney's Office may take them to court and recover three times the amount of the illegal fees. 

"This is a significant step forward in making Seattle a more affordable place to live and work, and giving renters the clarity and confidence they deserve," said City Attorney Erika Evans. "Good landlords who play by the rules will benefit, too, as we hold bad actors accountable by making the housing market fairer and more transparent for everyone." 

The work across city leadership continues to advance the strong tenant protections Seattle is known for and positions the city to keep leading the nation.