In order to ensure safe and healthy housing for tenants, Tukwila requires all owners of residential rental property to obtain an annual Rental Business License and an inspection of every unit prior to renting, as well as, once every four years. This applies to large multi-family developments all the way down to single-family houses, condominiums and Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU or “mother-in-law” apartments) which are rented to tenants. This applies to short term and long term rentals, however, short term rentals are not allowed in multi-family dwellings such as apartments and condominiums. All Rental Business Licenses expire on December 31st each year, and must be renewed annually by January 31. Late fees begin accruing on March 1 at a rate of $10 per month until the license is renewed.

Tenants may contact the City to determine if the rental property they are occupying is properly registered and up to date on inspections.

For questions, comments or concerns, please contact the Rental Housing Program by email at RentalHousing@TukwilaWA.gov or by phone at 206-431-3674.

2025 Rental Business License Fees:

• $88 for properties with up to 4 units
• $229 for properties with 5 to 20 units
• $287 for properties with 21 to 50 units
• $357 for properties with 51 or more units

                            *Late fees apply.

Rental Unit Inspections

A rental inspection of each rental unit is required prior to initial tenant occupancy and once every four years thereafter. The inspection year is assigned at the time of registration and is based on geographic location.

Inspection reports for properties located in ZONE 1 are due by September 30, 2025.  

*Late fees apply.

The purpose of the inspections is to ensure that all rental units are safe, healthy and suitable for occupancy. The inspectors check for properly working door locks, functional appliances, windows that are intact and that open, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, adequate emergency escape routes, and other items. Click HERE for a copy of the inspection checklist used for these inspections.

Rental inspections may be performed by a city inspector (for properties with 12 or less units) or a private inspector meeting certain qualifications and pre-approved by the City.

The rental inspection fee for a city inspector is currently $83 per unit up to 4 units, then each additional unit, up to 12 is $39 per unit. For properties with 13 or more units, please contact a private inspector.

To schedule a city inspector, contact us at RentalHousing@TukwilaWA.gov or 206-431-3674.

A private inspector must have at least one of the following credentials:

• Washington State Licensed Architect
• Washington State License Home Inspector
• Certified AACE Property Maintenance and Housing Inspector
• Certified ICC Property Maintenance and Housing Inspector
• Certified ICC Residential Building Code Inspector

A list of approved private inspectors can be found HERE.   If you wish to hire a private inspector NOT on this list, contact RentalHousing@TukwilaWA.gov or 206-431-3674 to obtain approval BEFORE the inspections are conducted.

Units that are occupied by a Section 8 tenant are exempt from the City inspection requirements, however the owner must submit documentation regarding current Section 8 occupancy. Section 8 unit owners must still obtain an annual Rental Business License.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

Effective 2017 all multi-family rental properties with 2 or more units are required to provide documentation of an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program by completing the IPM Documentation Worksheet.
For more information on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) check out this IPM Guide for Affordable Housing and watch the IPM videos on this page.

For additional IPM Resources click here.

For more information, please call 206-431-3674 or via email to RentalHousing@TukwilaWA.gov.