City of Spokane

Spokane Municipal Code

***Note: Many local criminal codes can now be located under Chapter 10.60 SMC while others are now cited under the Revised Code of Washington (RCW), which was incorporated into the municipal code in 2022. (See SMC 10.58.010). Code Enforcement, including Noise Control and Animal Regulations are located in Chapters 10.62 through 10.74.

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Title 10
Chapter 10.57
Section 10.57.005
 

Title 10 Regulation of Activities

Division II. License Code

Chapter 10.57 Regulation of Residential Rental Housing

Section 10.57.005 Definitions

 

For the purposes of this chapter:

  1. “Algorithm service provider” means any person that uses any methodology, including a computer, software, or other technology, used by two or more persons, that uses nonpublic competitor information to recommend, align, stabilize, set, or otherwise influence the prices, supply levels, occupancy rates, lease contract terms, or rental contract terms, of residential dwelling units.
    1. “Algorithm service provider” does not include standard property management software, market research tools, or data analysis services that do not constitute collusive or anti-competitive practices.
  1. “Coordinate” and “coordinating” shall mean an algorithm service provider is:
    1. Collecting nonpublic historical, anticipated, or contemporary prices, price changes, supply levels, occupancy rates, or lease or rental contract termination and renewal dates of residential dwelling units from two or more landlords; and
    1. Analyzing or processing nonpublic competitor information through the use of a system or software that utilizes an algorithmic or other automated process to provide recommendations regarding rental prices, lease renewal terms, or occupancy levels to more than one landlord;
    1. “Coordinate” and “coordinating” do not include publishing rental price estimates that:
      1. Are solely based on publicly available information; or
      1. Are equally available to all members of the public; or
      1. Do not require a contract, agreement, or registration to obtain.
  1. “Dwelling unit” has the meaning as defined in SMC 17A.020.040.
  1. “Landlord” means the owner, lessor or sublessor of the dwelling unit or the property of which it is a part, and in addition, means any person designated as a representative of the landlord.
  1. “Nonpublic competitor information” means information or data that is:
    1. Not available to the general public; and
    1. Relates to property or residential rental dwelling units other than those owned or managed by the landlord receiving or using generated pricing recommendations from an algorithm service provider; and
    1. Such information or data is less than one-hundred eighty (180) days old.
  1. “Person” has the meaning as defined in SMC 01.02.100.
  1. “Stabilize” means for two or more landlords to use nonpublic competitor information from an algorithm service provider to coordinate the vacancy rates of residential rental dwelling units to generate favorable prices or terms of agreement.

 

Date Passed: Monday, December 1, 2025

Effective Date: Thursday, January 8, 2026

ORD C36778 Section 2