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Camas is a mid-sized city in Clark County, Washington, situated along the Columbia River with a population of roughly 25,000. The city has seen steady residential growth in recent years, and a significant share of its residents rent their homes. Renters in Camas are governed entirely by Washington state law — specifically the Residential Landlord-Tenant Act (RLTA), RCW Chapter 59.18 — because the city has not enacted any local landlord-tenant ordinances of its own.
Washington's RLTA is among the more protective state landlord-tenant frameworks in the Pacific Northwest. It covers habitability standards, security deposit handling, anti-retaliation protections, mandatory just-cause eviction requirements, and strict timelines for landlords to respond to repair requests. Understanding these rights is especially important in a growing rental market like Camas, where lease terms and landlord practices can vary widely.
This page summarizes the laws that apply to Camas renters as of April 2026. It is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. If you have a specific legal dispute with your landlord, contact a licensed Washington attorney or a local legal aid organization.
Camas has no rent control ordinance. Unlike cities such as Seattle, Camas has not adopted any local cap on rent increases, meaning landlords may raise rent by any amount, at any time, provided they give proper advance written notice.
Washington state law does not have a blanket statewide preemption statute that prohibits cities from enacting rent control (unlike states such as Arizona or Texas). However, RCW 35.21.830 — enacted in 1981 — does prohibit cities and counties from enacting rent control ordinances. This statute explicitly states that local governments may not 'enact, maintain, or enforce any ordinance or resolution that regulates the amount of rent charged for single-family or multiple-unit residential rental structures or sites.' As a result, no city or county in Washington may legally adopt rent control, and Camas is bound by this prohibition.
In practice, this means your landlord in Camas can raise your rent to market rate with proper notice. For a month-to-month tenancy, the landlord must provide at least 20 days' written notice before the end of the rental period (RCW 59.18.140). For a fixed-term lease, rent cannot be raised during the lease term unless the lease expressly allows it.
Washington's Residential Landlord-Tenant Act (RCW Chapter 59.18) provides a comprehensive set of protections for renters in Camas and across the state.
Habitability (RCW 59.18.060): Landlords must maintain rental units in a habitable condition. This includes providing weathertight structures, adequate heating, safe electrical systems, hot and cold running water, and compliance with local housing codes. Landlords must also exterminate pests when infestations are not caused by the tenant.
Repair Requests (RCW 59.18.070): Tenants must notify the landlord of needed repairs in writing. After proper written notice, landlords have 24 hours to address emergency conditions (loss of heat, hot water, or conditions affecting health and safety), 72 hours for essential services such as plumbing, and 10 days for other non-emergency repairs. If the landlord fails to act, tenants may pursue remedies including repair-and-deduct (up to one month's rent) or rent withholding under court supervision.
Notice Requirements (RCW 59.18.140 & 59.18.200): Landlords must give 20 days' written notice to increase rent or terminate a month-to-month tenancy. Tenants must give the same 20-day notice to vacate. For fixed-term leases, either party must give at least 20 days' notice before the end of the term if they do not intend to renew.
Anti-Retaliation (RCW 59.18.240): Landlords may not retaliate against tenants for reporting code violations, requesting repairs, or organizing with other tenants. Retaliation includes raising rent, reducing services, or attempting eviction within 90 days of a protected action. If a landlord retaliates, the tenant may recover actual damages, punitive damages of up to $5,000, and attorney fees.
Lockout and Utility Shutoff Prohibition (RCW 59.18.290): Landlords are expressly prohibited from locking out a tenant, removing doors or windows, or intentionally shutting off utilities as a means of evicting a tenant. These self-help eviction tactics are illegal under Washington law regardless of whether the tenant owes rent.
Just Cause Eviction (RCW 59.18.650): Since 2021, Washington landlords must have a legally recognized 'just cause' to terminate a tenancy or refuse to renew a lease. Recognized causes include nonpayment of rent (after proper notice), lease violations, criminal activity on the premises, and owner move-in (with specific conditions). Month-to-month tenants cannot be removed without cause.
Washington law under RCW 59.18.260–59.18.285 governs security deposits for Camas rentals. Key rules include:
No Statutory Cap: Washington does not cap the amount a landlord may charge for a security deposit. Landlords may charge any amount, though market conditions in Clark County typically mean deposits range from one to two months' rent.
Written Rental Agreement Required (RCW 59.18.260): A landlord may only collect a security deposit if there is a written rental agreement. The agreement must specify the conditions under which the deposit may be withheld.
Move-In Checklist (RCW 59.18.260): At the start of the tenancy, the landlord must provide a written checklist or statement describing the condition of the unit. Both parties should sign it. Failure to provide the checklist means the landlord cannot later withhold the deposit for pre-existing damage.
Return Deadline (RCW 59.18.280): The landlord must return the security deposit — along with a written, itemized statement of any deductions — within 21 days after the tenancy ends and the tenant vacates. If the landlord needs more time (for example, to receive a utility bill), they must notify the tenant in writing within 21 days and provide a final accounting within 14 additional days.
Penalty for Wrongful Withholding (RCW 59.18.280): If the landlord fails to return the deposit on time, fails to provide an itemized statement, or wrongfully withholds funds, the tenant may be entitled to recover the full deposit amount plus damages up to twice the amount wrongfully withheld, plus court costs and attorney fees. Courts have discretion to award these penalties when landlords act in bad faith.
Evictions in Camas are governed by Washington's Unlawful Detainer Act (RCW Chapter 59.12) and the Residential Landlord-Tenant Act (RCW 59.18.650). The process must follow specific legal steps — landlords cannot remove a tenant without a court order.
Step 1 — Just Cause Required (RCW 59.18.650): Since 2021, a landlord must have a legally recognized just cause to begin an eviction. Common just causes include: nonpayment of rent, material breach of the lease, criminal activity on the premises, landlord or family member move-in, and sale of the property. The specific just cause determines what notice is required.
Step 2 — Written Notice: The landlord must serve a written notice on the tenant. Notice periods vary by cause:
— 3-Day Pay or Vacate Notice (RCW 59.18.057): For nonpayment of rent, the landlord serves a 3-day notice giving the tenant time to pay the overdue rent in full or vacate.
— 10-Day Comply or Vacate Notice: For lease violations other than nonpayment.
— 20-Day Notice (RCW 59.18.650): For no-cause-eligible situations (very limited under current law, e.g., certain month-to-month situations).
Step 3 — Court Filing (RCW 59.12.030): If the tenant does not comply with or respond to the notice, the landlord may file an Unlawful Detainer action in Clark County Superior Court. The tenant will be served with a Summons and Complaint and must respond within the timeframe stated on the summons (typically 7 days).
Step 4 — Court Hearing: A judge will hear both sides. If the court rules for the landlord, a Writ of Restitution is issued authorizing the sheriff to remove the tenant. The tenant typically has a brief window to vacate before the writ is enforced.
Self-Help Eviction is Illegal (RCW 59.18.290): It is illegal for a landlord to lock out a tenant, remove doors, windows, or personal property, or shut off utilities to force a tenant to leave. Tenants subjected to self-help eviction tactics may sue the landlord for actual damages plus attorney fees.
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. While we strive to keep this content accurate and up to date as of April 2026, landlord-tenant laws in Washington and Camas may change. Every rental situation is different, and the application of law to your specific circumstances may vary. If you have a dispute with your landlord or need guidance on your legal rights, please consult a licensed Washington State attorney or contact a local legal aid organization such as the Northwest Justice Project or the Clark County Volunteer Lawyers Program. Do not rely solely on this page as a substitute for professional legal counsel.
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