Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter:
“Assisted housing development”means a multifamily rental housing development that either receives government assistance and is defined as federally assisted housing in RCW
59.28.020, or that receives other federal, state, or local government assistance and is subject to use restrictions.
“Change of use”means the conversion of any dwelling unit from a residential use to a nonresidential use; conversion from one type residential use to another type residential use, such as a conversion to a retirement home, emergency shelter, transient hotel, or short-term rental as defined in Tacoma Municipal Code (“TMC”) 13.06.700; the removal of use restrictions, including those in an assisted housing development; provided that an owner displacing a tenant so that the owner or immediate family member can occupy the rental dwelling unit shall not constitute a change of use. Any “change of use” are provided herein requires displacement of a tenant.
“Days”means calendar days unless otherwise provided.
“Demolition”is defined under RCW
59.18.200, as it exists or is hereinafter amended, and means the destruction of premises or the relocation of the premises to another site that results in the displacement of an existing tenant.
“Director”means the Director of the City of Tacoma, Office of Equity and Human Rights, or the Director’s designee.
“Displacement” or “displaced”means the demolition, substantial rehabilitation, or change of use requiring existing tenants to vacate the dwelling unit, but shall not include the relocation of a tenant from one dwelling unit to another dwelling unit with the tenant’s consent.
“Dwelling unit”is defined under RCW
59.18.030, as it exists or is hereinafter amended, and means a structure or part of a structure used as a home, residence, or sleeping place by one, two, or more persons maintaining a common household, including, but not limited to, single-family residences and multiplexes, apartment buildings, and mobile homes.
“Immediate family member”is defined under RCW
59.18.030, as it exists or is hereinafter amended, and includes state registered domestic partner, spouse, parents, grandparents, children, including foster children, siblings, and in-laws.
“Landlord”is defined under RCW
59.18.030, as it exists or is hereinafter amended, and means the owner, lessor, or sublessor of the dwelling unit or the property of which it is a part, and in addition means any person designated as representative of the owner, lessor, or sublessor including, but not limited to, an agent, a resident manager, or a designated property manager.
“Master lease”is a rental agreement between a landlord renting a dwelling unit to a master lease holder.
“Master lease holder”is a person who has a rental agreement with the landlord of a dwelling unit with the intent of renting the dwelling unit, or a portion thereof, to one or more subtenants.
“Non-refundable move-in fees”means non-refundable payment paid by a tenant to a landlord to cover administrative, pet, or damage fees, or to pay for cleaning of the dwelling unit upon termination of the tenancy, but does not include payment of a holding fee authorized by RCW
59.18.253(2).
“Owner”means one or more persons, or entities, jointly or severally, in whom is vested:
A. All or any part of the legal title to property; or
B. All or part of the beneficial ownership, and a right to present use and enjoyment of the property.
“Rent” or “rental amount”is defined under RCW
59.18.030, as it exists or is hereinafter amended, and means recurring and periodic charges identified in the rental agreement for the use and occupancy of the premises, which may include charges for utilities. Except as provided in RCW
59.18.283(3), these terms do not include nonrecurring charges for costs incurred due to late payment, damages, deposits, legal costs, or other fees, including attorneys’ fees.
“Rental agreement”or lease is defined under RCW
59.18.030, as it exists or is hereinafter amended, and means all agreements which establish or modify the terms, conditions, rules, regulations, or any other provisions concerning the use and occupancy of a dwelling unit.
“Security deposit”means a refundable payment or deposit of money, however designated, the primary function of which is to secure performance of a rental agreement or any part of a rental agreement. “Security deposit” does not include a fee.
“Shared housing”means “group housing” as defined in TMC §
13.01.060G, and includes when a tenant rents a private room or shared room in a dwelling unit but shares common areas such as a kitchen, gathering spaces, and/or bathroom with other tenants.
“Substantial rehabilitation”is defined under RCW
59.18.200, as it exists or is hereinafter amended, and means extensive structural repair or extensive remodeling of premises that requires a permit such as a building, electrical, plumbing, or mechanical permit, and that results in the displacement of an existing tenant.
“Subtenant”is a person who rents a dwelling or part of a dwelling unit from someone who is renting it from the landlord.
“Tenant”is defined under RCW
59.18.030, as it exists or is hereinafter amended, and any person who is entitled to occupy a dwelling unit primarily for living or dwelling purposes under a rental agreement.
(Ord. 28559 Ex. A, 2018-11-20; Subst. Ord. 28780, 2021-09-21; Subst. Ord. 28894, 2023-07-11)