Sammamish, in King County, is covered by Washington's statewide rent-increase cap (HB 1217). Here's the 2026 limit, who qualifies, the 180-day notice rule, and local tenant resources.·Updated June 2026
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Key Takeaways
Coverage: Most residential rentals subject to RCW 59.18 after 12 months of tenancy; units with a first certificate of occupancy within the past 12 years are exempt under RCW 59.18.710.
Local resources: Sammamish Housing Department, Washington State Commerce, Tenants Union
1. Overview of Rent Stabilization in Sammamish
Sammamish tenants are protected by Washington's statewide rent increase cap, House Bill 1217 (HB 1217), which passed in 2025 and applies to residential rental properties throughout the state. Unlike states that limit rent control to specific cities, Washington's law covers eligible properties statewide — including in Sammamish.
HB 1217 limits annual rent increases to 7% plus CPI, with a maximum of 10%, gives tenants a 12-month waiting period before any increase can take effect, and requires landlords to give 180 days' notice before any rent increase.
The law applies after the first 12 months of tenancy, but RCW 59.18.710 exempts units whose first certificate of occupancy was issued within the past 12 years. Older covered units are subject to the cap if the property is subject to the Residential Landlord Tenant Act (RCW 59.18).
Sammamish at a glance: Sammamish is an Eastside plateau city between Lake Sammamish and the Cascade foothills, in King County, in the Puget Sound region of the state. With a population of roughly 65,179, Sammamish is an affluent, largely residential community with one of the highest-cost housing markets in the state. Well-known areas include the Sammamish Plateau and Klahanie.
Because Washington's rent-increase cap is a statewide law (HB 1217), it applies to eligible Sammamish rentals automatically — the city does not need its own local rent-control ordinance for tenants to be protected. Like much of the Puget Sound region, Sammamish has seen rents climb in recent years, which is the cost pressure the statewide cap is designed to limit. The sections below cover the 2026 limit, who qualifies, the 180-day notice rule, and where Sammamish tenants can get local help.
2. Who Is Covered in Sammamish?
Washington's HB 1217 applies to most residential rental properties in Sammamish. Key rules:
12-year new-construction exemption — RCW 59.18.710 exempts units whose first certificate of occupancy was issued within the past 12 years.
12-month waiting period — The rent cap does not apply until you have lived in the unit for at least 12 months. In the first year of tenancy, the landlord may set any rent.
Applies statewide — HB 1217 covers all cities in Washington, including Sammamish, without the need for a local ordinance.
What is NOT covered:
Rentals not subject to the Residential Landlord Tenant Act (e.g., transient accommodations, most subsidized housing with their own rules)
Tenants in their first 12 months at the property (the waiting period exemption)
Units whose first certificate of occupancy was issued within the past 12 years (RCW 59.18.710)
3. Maximum Allowable Rent Increases
Landlords in Sammamish can increase rent by up to 9.683% in 2026, which represents 7% plus inflation (CPI), with a maximum cap of 10% per year. The exact percentage is recalculated each year based on June CPI data.
2026 Rent Increase Cap:
Maximum increase:9.683% (7% + CPI, capped at 10%)
Manufactured/mobile-home lot tenancies:5.0% under chapter 59.20 RCW
Important Rules:
Only one rent increase per 12-month period is allowed
Landlords must provide at least 90 days written notice before any increase
The cap applies to tenants who have lived in the unit for at least 12 months
First-year tenants may see increases above the cap (but still need 90-day notice)
4. Notice Requirements for Rent Increases
Before raising rent, Sammamish landlords must provide tenants with written notice at least 180 days in advance. This is one of the strongest notice requirements in the country — far longer than the 30–60 days required in most states.
What the 180-day notice requirement means in practice:
The notice must be in writing and state the new rent amount and the date it takes effect.
The 180-day clock starts when the tenant receives written notice — not when the landlord sends it.
If your landlord gives you less than 180 days' notice, the rent increase is not enforceable under state law.
You cannot waive this notice requirement, even in a lease agreement.
If you received a rent increase notice with less than 180 days' advance notice, contact the Tenants Union of Washington State or a local tenant rights organization.
5. 12-Month Waiting Period
Under HB 1217, landlords in Sammamish may not raise rent during the first 12 months of tenancy. This waiting period applies regardless of when the tenant moved in or what the lease says.
How the waiting period works:
The 12-month period begins on the date the tenant first takes possession of the unit.
During this period, rent cannot be increased — even if the landlord claims a hardship or cost increase.
After 12 months, the landlord may give notice of an increase, but must still comply with the 180-day notice requirement and the 10% annual cap.
The waiting period resets if a tenant moves to a different unit (a new tenancy), but not if the same tenant renews in the same unit.
Together, the 12-month waiting period and the 180-day notice requirement mean that in practice, a landlord who wants to raise rent must give notice before the 10-month mark to have it take effect at month 12.
6. Resources for Sammamish Tenants
If you're a tenant in Sammamish and have questions about your rights, consider these resources:
You can also use RentCheckMe to check if your building is likely covered based on property information.
7. Important Disclaimer
This article is a high-level overview of Washington's Rent Increase Cap (HB 1217) as it applies in Sammamish. It does not cover every exception and does not constitute legal advice.
What is the maximum rent increase allowed in Sammamish?
Under Washington law (HB 1217), landlords in Sammamish can increase rent by a maximum of 9.683% in 2026 (7% + CPI, capped at 10%). This limit applies after you have lived in the unit for 12 months. Landlords must provide 90 days written notice before any rent increase.
How much notice does my landlord need to give for a rent increase in Sammamish?
In Sammamish, landlords must provide 90 days written notice before a rent increase takes effect. The notice must include the amount of the increase, the new rent amount, and the effective date.
Can my landlord raise rent during my first year in Sammamish?
No. Under HB 1217, landlords cannot increase rent during the first 12 months of tenancy in Sammamish. After the first 12 months, rent increases are subject to the annual cap (9.683% for 2026).
Does the rent cap apply to month-to-month leases in Sammamish?
Yes, the rent cap applies to month-to-month leases in Sammamish after the first 12 months of tenancy. Landlords must still provide 90 days written notice and cannot exceed the annual cap.
How is the rent increase cap calculated for Sammamish?
The rent cap for Sammamish is calculated as 7% plus the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the Seattle area, with an absolute maximum of 10%. For 2026, this equals 9.683%. The cap is recalculated annually by the Washington State Department of Commerce.
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