The Spokane City Council on a 5–2 vote adopted an ordinance prohibiting the use of algorithmic tools that can coordinate rent pricing, aiming to limit automated systems that advocates say enable coordinated price increases.

Terry Anderson, director of the Spokane Office of the Tenants Union of Washington State, told the council the practice harms renters and urged a ban. "This is not competition. This is coordination," Anderson said during public testimony, arguing the software can prioritize profit over housing stability.

Supporters described national reporting and studies that show modest average rent increases tied to pricing algorithms. Council member Zappone cited national research in debate and said it "could add up to $70 on average to the cost of rent," framing the ordinance as one tool among many to address local affordability.

Housing industry representatives urged continued engagement on implementation. William Schneider, public affairs manager for Washington Family Housing Association, thanked council members for working with stakeholders and said his organization would remain "an engaged and constructive partner" as the city moves toward implementation.

Opponents on the council questioned whether the city is the right level of government to regulate algorithmic pricing and warned of potential unintended consequences. Council member McCat Hart said she preferred state‑level action and noted ongoing state discussions; she also raised concerns about consistency for entities that operate across city and county lines.

Council members who supported the measure said local action can lead and that Spokane’s ordinance aligns with a wave of similar local laws. Councilman McClitsky, a co‑sponsor, said the city can act to prevent corporate coordination even as state and federal actions progress.

The ordinance language, as presented to the council, prohibits the use of automated systems that result in coordinated pricing among housing providers; the transcript records the measure as Ordinance C36‑778. The council did not record a mover or seconder in the public transcript; the final recorded outcome was "passes 5 to 2." The council directed staff to proceed with implementation steps identified in the ordinance.

What happens next: the ordinance takes effect according to the schedule in the city code and staff will return with implementation details and any administrative rules required to enforce the prohibition.