Olympia City Council Passes Rental Registration Law

Olympia's City Council has passed a Rental Registration and Inspection Program that will require owners to pay $35 per unit annually, which is the highest cost in the state for such a program. Here are the highlights:

• Registry begins March 1, 2024
• Inspections begin January 1, 2025
• Cost - $35 per unit (fee waived for affordable housing providers)
• Must have current rental business license issued by the City
• $50 initial fee to DOR for business license, $5 to renew annually
• $30 City of Olympia business license endorsement (waived for nonprofits)
• Required to register annually to obtain and maintain a business license
• Inspections required once every 5 years, conducted by a third-party inspector certified by the City
• New construction not subject for the first 10 years of occupancy
• Owner-occupied properties exempt
• Register of ADU and DADU required, but not required to obtain a business license or complete an inspection