Seattle, Washington Security Deposit: Which Rule Applies and Your Next Step
The Seattle ordinance text reviewed here does not change the return deadline: Washington law gives 30 days (RCW 59.18.260, RCW 59.18.280). The city adds a deposit cap (SMC 7.24.030 / 7.24.035). Check whether the ordinance covers your rental, then enter your dates and deposit below for a state law calculation and a letter.
State law vs Seattle ordinance
| Rule | Washington state law | Seattle ordinance |
|---|---|---|
| Return deadline | 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). | No separate return deadline in the ordinance text reviewed here |
| Deposit cap | not capped statewide by RCW 59.18 (some local ordinances, e.g. Seattle, add rules, but no statewide dollar cap) | Total of security deposit and nonrefundable move-in fees may not exceed the first full month's rent. Nonrefundable move-in fees may not exceed 10% of first full month's rent except actual screening-report cost over that 10%. Pet security deposits may be charged in addition, not to exceed 25% of first full month's rent. (SMC 7.24.030 / 7.24.035) |
| 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) | If a deposit is collected, the rental agreement must describe it and a written condition checklist must be signed by landlord and renter at move-in. (SMC Ch. 7.24; SDCI Deposit Returns) |
| Who it covers | See state statute and conditions above | Residential rental agreements in Seattle under SMC Ch. 7.24. A later Rental Fee Restriction ordinance (CB 121254) was passed August 11, 2026, but does not take effect until July 1, 2027. |
RCW 59.18.260, RCW 59.18.280 (Residential Landlord-Tenant Act) · Seattle Municipal Code Ch. 7.24 (Rental Agreement Regulation Ordinance) - deposit/move-in fee cap SMC 7.24.035
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Details of the return rules
| When it applies | Deadline | Starts from |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit return | 30 days | Termination of the rental agreement and vacation of the premises (or, if tenant abandons, within 30 days after landlord learns of the abandonment) |
Washington return rule: 30 days. Check the dates you entered above.
What Seattle adds to your claim
- deposit cap: Total of security deposit and nonrefundable move-in fees may not exceed the first full month's rent. Nonrefundable move-in fees may not exceed 10% of first full month's rent except actual screening-report cost over that 10%. Pet security deposits may be charged in addition, not to exceed 25% of first full month's rent. (SMC 7.24.030 / 7.24.035)
- itemization: If a deposit is collected, the rental agreement must describe it and a written condition checklist must be signed by landlord and renter at move-in. (SMC Ch. 7.24; SDCI Deposit Returns)
County small claims courts
| County | Court and city | Limit | Filing fee | E-filing | Court link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| King County | King County District Court, Small Claims Department, Seattle (multiple divisions: Seattle, Shoreline, Kent, Redmond, Burien, Issaquah, Federal Way, Vashon) | $10,000 (statewide) | Statewide filing fee: $50 (statewide fee under RCW 12.40.020) | Yes | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
See the King County county filing page
Statute says
After January 15, 2017, the total amount of a security deposit and nonrefundable move-in fees may not exceed the amount of the first full month's rent for the tenant's dwelling unit.
What this means
Seattle caps the combined security deposit and nonrefundable move-in fees at one month's rent, limits nonrefundable move-in fees to 10% of first-month rent (screening overage excepted), allows an extra pet deposit of up to 25% of first-month rent, and requires a written rental agreement and a signed move-in condition checklist before a deposit is collected.
Source accessed: .
FAQ
Does Seattle set a separate deposit return deadline?
The ordinance text reviewed here sets no separate return deadline. See the Washington deadline and its conditions above.
What else does the Seattle ordinance require?
Seattle caps the combined security deposit and nonrefundable move-in fees at one month's rent, limits nonrefundable move-in fees to 10% of first-month rent (screening overage excepted), allows an extra pet deposit of up to 25% of first-month rent, and requires a written rental agreement and a signed move-in condition checklist before a deposit is collected.
Does the ordinance cover my rental?
Residential rental agreements in Seattle under SMC Ch. 7.24. A later Rental Fee Restriction ordinance (CB 121254) was passed August 11, 2026, but does not take effect until July 1, 2027.
What's next?
Previous page summary
Seattle caps the combined security deposit and nonrefundable move-in fees at one month's rent, limits nonrefundable move-in fees to 10% of first-month rent (screening overage excepted), allows an extra pet deposit of up to 25% of first-month rent, and requires a written rental agreement and a signed move-in condition checklist before a deposit is collected.