City of Seattle — Prohibition on Algorithmic Rent-Fixing (Ord. 127241 / SMC Chapter 7.34)
Seattle, WA · Seattle Ord. 127241 / CB 121000, signed July 1, 2025, eff. July 31, 2025; codified SMC Chapter 7.34
Seattle City Council passed CB 121000 on June 24, 2025 (Mayor signed July 1, 2025; effective July 31, 2025), creating SMC Chapter 7.34 to prohibit algorithmic rent-fixing. The ordinance bans landlords from using software or data services that pool pricing recommendations based on nonpublic competitor data — targeting RealPage-style pricing coordination. Publicly available rent estimates and listings remain permitted. Penalties reach $7,500 per violation, and each affected rental unit counts separately. Tenants can also sue for actual damages plus attorneys' fees.
Technical detail
Seattle Ord. 127241 (CB 121000, passed June 24, 2025; signed July 1, 2025; eff. July 31, 2025) enacts SMC Chapter 7.34, prohibiting 'algorithmic rent-fixing' — use of software that aggregates third-party nonpublic pricing data to recommend rents or vacancy strategy across competing landlords. Public rent estimates (listings, web tools) are not violations. Civil penalties: up to $7,500 per offense; each unit/instance counted separately. Private right of action: actual damages plus attorneys' fees. Enforcement: City of Seattle and private litigants. Companion to WA state-level action and NY S.7882 felony rent-algorithm coordination law.
Who is protected: Seattle residential renters subject to algorithmically coordinated rent pricing
Who must comply: Residential landlords and rent-setting algorithm vendors operating in Seattle
Key facts
| Jurisdiction | Seattle, WA |
|---|---|
| Level | City / local |
| Status | In effect |
| Protection strength | Moderate protection |
| Effective date | 2025-07-31 |
| Enacted | 2025-07-01 |
| Citation | Seattle Ord. 127241 / CB 121000, signed July 1, 2025, eff. July 31, 2025; codified SMC Chapter 7.34 |
| Enforced by | City of Seattle; private right of action for tenants |
| Private right of action | Yes — individuals can sue |
| Penalties | Up to $7,500 per violation (per unit, per instance); private right of action for actual damages + attorneys' fees |
| Topics | housing and credit decisions · automated decision-making |
| Last verified | 2026-06-26 |
| Official source | Seattle City Clerk — Ordinance 127241 (CB 121000, algorithmic rent-fixing prohibition, SMC 7.34) ↗ |
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Related housing and credit decisions rules elsewhere
- FCRA (AI in credit & background checks) · In effect
- ECOA / Regulation B (AI credit discrimination) · In effect
- DOJ-RealPage Consent Decree (algorithmic rent) · In effect
- CFPB Circ. 2023-03 (AI credit) · In effect
- HUD FHEO Tenant Screening AI · In effect
- HUD FHEO Digital Advertising AI · In effect
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