Jason Ruffing, Enforcement Supervisor, No Phone Number Available
Tuesday, January 2, 2024 at 3:12 p.m.
This page refers to Long-term Rental properties (30+ days). If you are looking for information on registering a Short-term Rental property (under 30 days), please visit the Short-term Rentals page.
Updated Nov. 1, 2024
The City of Spokane appreciates all landlords, property managers, and agents of property owners who registered their long-term (30 days or more) rental properties in 2024 after the announcement of the new registration process that went live on Dec. 1, 2023. The registry, created as a result of the City Council passing the Regulation of Residential Rental Housing in March 2023, is focused on preserving housing stock, maintaining safe living spaces, and creating and maintaining a database to track rental units in our community.
For those already registered, the renewal window for 2025 begins on November 1st. Any property registration submitted between November 1st and December 31st will be for the 2025 calendar year. For those registered, automated communications from the Accela Citizen Access system will be delivered to the email addresses listed on each registration.
The business license has an annual fee of $127. Licenses for rental properties are obtained through the Washington State Department of Revenue. The ordinance also establishes a $15 per rental unit fee that will be paid as a part of the rental registry application. Thus far, in 2024, over 4,700 long-term rental properties have been registered, reflecting over 23,000 rental units.
While voluntary compliance is the goal, Spokane Municipal Code Section 08.01.270 states that civil infractions may be issued for failure to make an application. If a landlord fails to file an application and pay the registration fee, the City’s Taxes and Licenses Division or Code Enforcement Department may determine the amount and issue a Class I notice of infraction pursuant to Chapter 1.05 SMC. Landlords are subject to SMC 10.57.020, failure to comply with the residential rental registry requirement set forth in SMC 10.57.020(E).
In the first year of the program, Code Enforcement staff has conducted inspections in response to a multitude of complaints at rental properties and conducted hundreds of periodic and proactive inspections as well. Complaints can be submitted using www.spokane311.org. If you’re unable to process your request online for any reason, you can also call 311 or 509.755.CITY (2489), from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and they can assist with filling a complaint on your behalf. The initial inspection and initial re-inspection (if needed) that are conducted by Code Enforcement staff will not have a fee. However, if subsequent inspections are needed at specific properties due to violations not being adequately addressed, additional safety inspection fees may be assessed. Voluntary compliance is the goal for any deficiencies observed.
Common violations inspectors observe would include lack of hot water, exposed wiring, water leaks, inadequate weatherproofing, and other similar issues. Code Enforcement evaluates building maintenance and habitability issues using the list of substandard building deficiencies detailed in the Existing Building and Conservation Code, found in SMC 17F.070.400. Where context and additional detail is needed, inspectors utilize the International Code Council’s International Property Maintenance Code, and relevant inspectors all hold certifications under this code.
To respect a person’s privacy, Code Enforcement staff will request legal access to perform the inspection from inside the property lines and dwelling units. The aim is to ensure safe living conditions. The ordinance also established expectations for civil matter issues and other rental housing topics that are more legal in nature, including recent updates to the ordinance in the fall of 2024 that prohibit evictions and rent increases at rental properties that have not registered.
If online access is needed to register properties, a computer will be available in the Development Services Center on the Third Floor of City Hall from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday. Registration form hard copies are also available at City Hall. The in-person option is also available for anyone who needs technical assistance. If you are an affordable housing provider in our community offering subsidized and/or incentivized long-term rental housing units, you may be eligible for a waiver of the $15 per unit registration fee(s). To request this, please email codeenforcement@spokanecity.org to request information rather than submitting the property registration through the ACA system. You will still need to obtain a Washington State business license through the Washington State Department of Revenue and a City of Spokane endorsement.
For more information, see these resources:
For questions on the long-term rental registry, email codeenforcement@spokanecity.org. For questions on obtaining a business license for operating a rental property business in the City, call the Washington State Department of Revenue at 360.705.6741 or the City of Spokane Taxes and Licenses at 509.625.6070.
Please note that this program is separate from the program for short-term rental monitoring.
