Hearing Notice: 2025-0267

METROPOLITAN KING COUNTY COUNCIL

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

2025-0267

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that a public hearing will be held before the Metropolitan King County Council on the 23rd day of September, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. to consider adoption of Proposed Ordinance 2025-0267, relating to prohibiting algorithmic rent fixing and adding a new chapter to King County Code Title 12. The public hearing will be held at the King County Courthouse, 516 3rd Avenue, Room 1001, Seattle; remote public testimony on Zoom will also be accepted. Written public testimony will be accepted from 9 a.m. on September 13, 2025, through 10 a.m. on September 23, 2025, by sending such public testimony to clerk.council@kingcounty.gov. Please include the legislation number and related agenda item in the subject line. More information on the public hearing and how to participate in public testimony can be found at this website: https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/council/governance-leadership/county-council/committees/county-council-meetings.

SUMMARY

Proposed Ordinance 2025-0267 would prohibit landlords in unincorporated King County from coordinating to establish rental prices and from using a service provider that provides coordinating services to set rental prices, lease renewal terms, or occupancy levels.

The Proposed Ordinance would allow a person to bring a civil action against a landlord or service provider for violating the chapter to recover damages up to $7,500 per violation, as well as any actual damages incurred. Each instance of coordinating services for each dwelling unit may be considered a separate violation.

Final Action:

Prior to final action, Councilmembers may offer amendments for consideration by the Council. Persons wishing to testify on the Proposed Ordinance should attend the public hearing in person or remotely on September 23, 2025, or provide testimony in writing prior to the hearing.

A copy of Proposed Ordinance 2025-0267 is available on the internet at https://mkcclegisearch.kingcounty.gov/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=7641121&GUID=48989818-F9DB-41B7-9A95-3D93D8DDA21C&Options=ID|Text|&Search=2025-0267

You may also view this notice at the Clerk’s page at https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/council/governance-leadership/county-council/clerk-of-the-council/public-notices.

Copies of Proposed Ordinance 2025-0267 will be mailed upon request to the Clerk of the Council, email clerk.council@kingcounty.gov or telephone 206-477-1020.

This notice is given in accordance with the provisions of RCW 36.32.120(7) and provides penalties for the violation of the provisions thereof.

DATED at Seattle, Washington, this 13th day of SEPTEMBER, 2025.

METROPOLITAN KING COUNTY COUNCIL

KING COUNTY, WASHINGTON

Melani Hay

Clerk of the Council