Bellingham, Washington Security Deposit Rules (Ch. 6.16)
Bellingham's rental fee ordinance limits a refundable security deposit to one month's rent.
State law vs Bellingham ordinance
| Rule | Washington state law | Bellingham ordinance |
|---|---|---|
| Deadline |
| Not found in the ordinance text reviewed |
| Cap | not capped statewide by RCW 59.18 (some local ordinances, e.g. Seattle, add rules, but no statewide dollar cap) | A refundable security deposit that does not exceed the monthly rent for one month. A nonprofit service organization may offer to pay a deposit not exceeding two months' rent on behalf of a client, which the landlord may accept. Subsection does not apply to subsidized housing where rent is based on the tenant's income. (BMC 6.16.030.B) |
| Interest | No statewide interest requirement in the verified data. | Not found in the ordinance text reviewed |
| Penalty | If landlord fails to provide the statement/refund within 30 days, landlord becomes liable to tenant for the full amount of the deposit; if the court finds the landlord's refusal to give the statement, documentation, or refund was "intentional," the court may in its discretion award up to 2x the deposit amount, plus the prevailing party (tenant, if they win) may recover costs and reasonable attorneys' fees. If the landlord fails to provide the initial move-in checklist (RCW 59.18.260) before collecting a deposit, landlord is liable for the full deposit amount plus costs/fees. Bad faith required: Yes. | Not found in the ordinance text reviewed |
| Itemization | Required; itemized statement required regardless of amount withheld; must include documentation (estimates/invoices/receipts or a statement of landlord's own repair time and hourly rate) | Not found in the ordinance text reviewed |
| Applies to | Statewide | Residential rentals covered by BMC Ch. 6.16. Security-deposit cap does not apply to subsidized housing where rent is income-based. Pet damage deposit (BMC 6.16.030.C) is separate and may not exceed 30% of monthly rent; handling follows RCW 59.18. |
RCW 59.18.260, RCW 59.18.280 (Residential Landlord-Tenant Act)
Free Washington template, built from verified state data
I rented [rental property address] from [lease start date] to [move-out date]. I paid a security deposit of $[amount]. I returned the keys on [date] and gave you my forwarding address in writing on [date]. Under Washington law (RCW 59.18.260, RCW 59.18.280), a landlord must return the deposit or send a written, itemized list of deductions within 30 days after termination of the rental agreement and vacation of the premises (or, if tenant abandons, within 30 days after landlord learns of the abandonment).
Statute says
A landlord may charge a tenant for following fees in addition to rent: ... B. A refundable security deposit that does not exceed the monthly rent for one month. However, a nonprofit service organization may offer to pay a security deposit not to exceed the amount of monthly rent for two months on behalf of their client, which the landlord may accept.
What this means
Bellingham's rental fee ordinance limits a refundable security deposit to one month's rent.
Source accessed: . Verified by: grok, codex, claude.
County small claims courts
| County | Court and city | Limit | Filing fee | E-filing | Court link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whatcom County | Whatcom County District Court, Small Claims, Bellingham | $10,000 (statewide) | County filing fee: $50 (eFileWA convenience fee noted separately at approx. $26 for electronic submission) | Yes | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
FAQ
What does Bellingham add to state deposit law?
Bellingham's rental fee ordinance limits a refundable security deposit to one month's rent.
What is the ordinance return deadline?
Not found in the ordinance text reviewed
Who does the ordinance cover?
Residential rentals covered by BMC Ch. 6.16. Security-deposit cap does not apply to subsidized housing where rent is income-based. Pet damage deposit (BMC 6.16.030.C) is separate and may not exceed 30% of monthly rent; handling follows RCW 59.18.