City of Vancouver, WA Rental Registration Ordinance

On July 15, 2025, Vancouver City Council adopted a new Rental Registration Program that requires Housing Providers register each rental unit and pay an annual rental registration license fee of $30.00 per unit. The funds will be used to create a database of all rental properties in the City. The program also requires inspections of rental properties to begin upon program set up.

Registration

All owners of long-term residential rentals (single-family, duplexes, ADUs, apartments, etc.) within Vancouver, WA city limits must register the property annually. Housing Providers must also maintain a valid Long-Term Rental Business License.

Exemptions:

• Owner-occupied units (your own primary residence)
• Short-term rentals, hotels, shelters, units licensed for health care purposes (i.e. assisted living, nursing homes), units that are not available for rent
• Income-restricted units (≤ 60% Area Median Income) must be registered, but pay no fee

Timeline & Deadlines

• Registration opens January 2026. You must submit annual renewals by February 15th each year.
• The first-year registration fee is waived for Housing Providers who complete the registration within the first 90 days of 2026 (by the end of March 2026).
• Inspections for habitability will begin in mid-late 2027, after the system is implemented.
• Within 30 days after a rental registration is issued, you must display a copy of the registration by posting in one or more places readily visible to all renters and provide a copy to all current and all new renters at or before the time they take possession of the unit along with a list of renter rights and responsibilities (to be published by the Department).

Fee Structure

Housing Providers must pay $30.00 per unit annually. Income-restricted units (≤ 60% Area Median Income) must register but pay no fee.

Registration Information

When completing the property registration, you must provide all requested information, which includes the following:

• Property address and name, year built, type of rental (e.g. multifamily dwelling)
• Income-restricted status
• Owner and registrant contact information, plus a local/emergency contact if owner is off site
• The name, address, and telephone number of the person or entity the tenant is to contact when requesting repairs be made to their rental housing unit, and the contact person’s business relationship to the owner
• A signed declaration that all units registered are fit for human habitation

Registration Process

• Registration of the property will be done online
• Requires a separate City business license for rentals longer than 90 days

Enforcement & Compliance

Failure to register and/or pay the required fee may result in penalties and fines.