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Council adopts rental registration ordinance; councilors debate definitions, exemptions and fees
Summary
The Vancouver City Council adopted a rental registration program (new Chapter 5.08 VMC) intended to create a citywide database of rental units, with annual registration and a $30 fee; councilors debated unit definitions, exemptions for existing below‑market units and how the program would align with state landlord‑tenant law.
The Vancouver City Council on Monday adopted an ordinance creating a rental registration program (new Chapter 5.08 of the Vancouver Municipal Code) that requires property owners to register rental units annually and includes a $30 per-unit charge to fund the program. Council passed the ordinance after discussion about definitions, exemptions and enforcement.
City staff described the primary goals as building "an accurate database of the rental units in the city" to inform outreach, inspections and policy, and said the license would be a calendar-year license starting Jan. 1 with a 45-day grace period for renewal.
Councilors spent substantial time on definitions. Staff explained the code uses distinct terms: "housing unit" to describe the type of dwelling and "rental unit" to narrow the set to units offered for rent. Councilor Fox asked whether the definitions align with Washington's Landlord‑Tenant Act and whether accessory dwelling units, owner-occupied basement units, and units intentionally unavailable for rent would be treated fairly.
Staff emphasized the program is not intended to be punitive: "It's not meant to be an extra revenue source, and it's not meant to be punitive. It's meant to, can we get a better understanding of what the rental pool looks like," staff said. The code allows a property owner to indicate a unit is "unavailable for rent"; staff said the city's intent is to gather accurate data and not to fine owners who report an ADU is used by family or not rented.
Councilors also discussed an exemption for units subject to recorded affordability covenants at 60% area median income (AMI) or lower. Staff said the exemption applies readily to units with recorded covenants because the city can verify those, but that naturally affordable units without covenants are harder to identify and verify year-to-year. Staff noted roughly 2% of the city's rental stock appeared to be naturally below 60% AMI and said the city could explore future approaches to recognize such units if a reliable verification method can be developed.
Councilor Anderson said she was not supportive and expressed concern that adding a $30 annual charge "goes completely against affordable housing." Other councilors said the fee is intended to cover the program's operating costs and not to generate revenue. The ordinance passed on roll call; Councilor Hansen voted no. The mayor cast the deciding aye and the ordinance passed.
Staff will implement outreach and data‑collection activities, offer notices to property owners, and provide guidance for owners who believe units are unavailable for rent or are below‑market without a covenant. Council asked staff to return with further refinements and operational procedures as the program is implemented.
Ending: The new registration program takes effect as set by the ordinance; staff will begin outreach to property owners and return to council with implementation updates and possible refinements to definitions and exemptions.
