Washington Joins California and Oregon in Enacting Statewide Rent Control

Citing significant increases in the cost of housing, Washington State joined California and Oregon in enacting statewide rent control. 

On May 8, 2025, Washington Governor Bob Ferguson signed House Bill 1217 into law, establishing statewide rent control. The legislation caps annual rent increases at 7% plus inflation or 10%, whichever is lower, for a period of 15 years. A stricter 5% cap applies to manufactured homes with no expiration date. The law also mandates a 90-day notice for rent hikes and prohibits increases during the first year of tenancy. Exemptions include new constructions for their first 12 years, owner-occupied small multifamily units, public housing, and certain low-income developments. Enforcement provisions allow tenants or the state attorney general to pursue legal action against violations, with penalties up to $7,500 per infraction.

Supporters argue that the measure provides much-needed stability for renters in one of the nation’s most expensive housing markets. Governor Ferguson emphasized the need to prevent residents from being priced out of their homes. However, opponents, including the Rental Housing Association of Washington, contend that the law could deter investment in rental properties, reduce housing supply, and lead to higher prices and lower quality. They are considering legal challenges, particularly concerning the law’s immediate effect without prior inflation data from the Department of Commerce, which is due by June 1.

In Maryland

Maryland remains divided on rent control policies, with the General Assembly showing reluctance to expand certain local authorities while also signaling interest in placing limits on others. One of the most closely watched bills this session was the Good Cause Eviction Act (HB709/SB651), which would have allowed counties to require landlords to provide a legally defined justification for non-renewing leases. Although the bill ultimately failed, lawmakers debated a potential compromise that would allow counties to implement either rent control or good cause eviction requirements—but not both.

While no statewide rent control proposal has gained meaningful traction, local-level rent regulation continues to be a subject of active debate in several Maryland counties. The conversations reflect ongoing tension between tenant protections and concerns about impacts on housing supply and investment.

Read the full story in Governing. 

Read the full story in the New York Times.